Microsoft to make IE7 an auto update

Stan Beer
Thursday, 27 July 2006 10:12

Your IT - Home IT

It seems that Microsoft wants users to upgrade to the Internet Explorer 7 browser so badly that it plans to make the upgrade part of its automatic updates program for Windows XP. However, they will be able to say no if they wish.
Users will be urged to get the upgrade when automatic updates are downloaded.

However, mindful of the bad publicity it received recently when it used its automatic updates facility to foist Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) on unsuspecting users, Microsoft will make sure that users have a clear option to refuse the IE 7 update.

Instead of installing automatically, users will be presented with three options on a screen describing the benefits of IE 7. The options are the familiar Install, Don't Install and Ask Me Later buttons.

Microsoft promises that clicking the Don't Install button will stop users from receiving any future prompts to upgrade to IE 7 from Microsoft.

After being accused of pushing spyware at users through its WGA anti-piracy program, the last thing Microsoft needs is further negative publicity about the IE 7 upgrade. It has classified the upgrade as high priority rather than critical, as was originally the case with WGA.

Microsoft has also released a tool that will let corporate users block the automatic update until the organization is ready to move from IE 6 to IE 7.