July 26, 2006 9:00 AM PDT
Microsoft tags IE 7 'high priority' update
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IE 7 will be delivered in the fourth quarter as a "high priority" update via Automatic Updates in Windows XP, Gary Schare, Microsoft's director of IE product management, said in an interview Tuesday. Automatic Updates is a Windows feature typically used for security updates, but Microsoft has also used it to push its antipiracy tool WGA Notifications.
"The justification, of course, is the significant security enhancements in IE 7," Schare said. Microsoft recommends that all Windows users install the new browser when it ships, he added.
IE 7 will be the first major update to Microsoft's ubiquitous Web browser in five years. Security was the No. 1 investment for the update, Microsoft has said. Critics have likened predecessor IE 6 to "Swiss cheese" because of the many security vulnerabilities in it. A third and final beta of IE 7 was released late last month.
Although IE 7 will be pushed out over Automatic Updates, people will be able to choose whether they want to install it or not, Schare said. Automatic Updates will first notify people when IE 7 is ready to install and then show a welcome screen that presents key features and the choices to install, not install or postpone installation.
Additionally, Microsoft on Wednesday plans to make available a special tool to block automatic delivery of the new browser version, Schare said. The tool is meant for business users who might not be ready for an IE update. Microsoft learned a lesson about this when it pushed out Service Pack 2 for Windows XP via the update function.
"Many enterprises out there have some users rely on Automatic Updates," Schare said. "Those typically want to have tighter management of any software that is going to do more than just patch a security vulnerability."
The free Internet Explorer 7 Blocker Toolkit will not expire and includes a template for use with Microsoft systems management software. It will be available from Microsoft's Download Center Web site, Schare said. "We're really trying to get the world ready for a major new browser release," he said.
See more CNET content tagged:
Automatic Update, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, priority, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Corp.
91 comments
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<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.intelliadmin.com/blog/2006/10/ie-7-breaks-outlook-hotmail.html" target="_newWindow">http://www.intelliadmin.com/blog/2006/10/ie-7-breaks-outlook-hotmail.html</a>
Updates. All our computers run Mozilla. We have IE locked on high
security, no cookies, and pointed to a non-existant proxy.
How about a kit to totally remove IE? THAT would be something of
real value.
I agree that IE6 is a hassle and should not be used, but IE7 is a very good browser, on par with Firefox.
P.S. jaystring, do you even have IE7?
Firefox can and will use massive amounts of memory and start to hog up your CPU, especially if a flash file is playing. These two things are much less noticable in IE, especially IE7.
You shouldn't of downloaded it on a working functional computer, that is your ignorance..
I use Firefox, but we need to keep in mind that most people use IE.
The designers here are happy about the rollout as IE7 has fixed some CSS annoyances and issues, but we are very concerned with older websites that currently work in IE6 will break in IE7 (due to the workarounds for IE6).
Oh well, come what may. I guess the sooner IE7 comes out and the old IEs are behind us, the sooner we'll be pulling out our hair (less). Of course, wouldn't surprise me if IE7 introduces some new quirks that make you say the tired phrase of webdesigners "Why is IE doing that?" :)
This is exactly what they should be doing with the .Net frameworks but don't.
Instead, they make developers include an additional 25+ MB of .Net installs to your apps - bloating the installs and making distribution slower and more difficult.
MS says that the .Net framework is the future of Windows programming.
So, why aren't the .Net frameworks (all 4 of them) marked as "High Priority" and downloaded automatically?
As far as that goes, why don't all MS Apps update themselves automatically? Thousands of freeware apps do it everyday - why doesn't MS?
Two words: Dial Up.
"[i]As far as that goes, why don't all MS Apps update themselves automatically?[/i]"
Because of a little thing that still exists (in spite of denials) called ".dll Hell".
I have 4 different Hotmail accounts configured in OE and it works great. But after installing IE 7, this functionality is lost. If you have Outlook Express, and use it to retreive email from a Hotmail account, try installing IE 7 Beta - you will find that you can no longer retreive email from your Hotmail account. This is why I am sticking with IE 6 and will disable automatic updates and NEVER upgrade to IE 7 - until they fix it so I can still get my Hotmail with Outlook Express!
This patch fixed it.
But I use OE mainly as a newsreader.
free webmail services.
Either way, I get to choose, and not the OS maker Enjoy your enforced updates, suckers...
PC: Stuck with Windoze (rather be using Amiga OS)
Mac: Stuck with over priced hardware, and over priced repairs.
I know several people who switched from Mac to PC just because their iMac broke down, and it was so expensive to repair they went and bought a whole PC for less than the repair cost of their Mac.
Talk about suckers....
Merg
My bank and credit card companies will not allow me ACCESS to their websites without a FINAL browser version.
No beta or test version of a browser like
MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER 7 (test or beta)
is what I'm talking about.
I would like to accept the #7, but the # 6 has all the automatic upgardes, and I'm happy with that.
As a matter of fact, I have all the MICROSOFT UPGRADES, and I'm still happy.
so my IE will remain the same thank you.
If some of you think that I could install the IE7 beta, and still use the IE6, and have them both work separately, you have no pennies in your pocket.
Do you have a solution, like do a partition, and keep one on one drive, and the test on another, etc., etc..
Now you have no pennies in your bank account, because you can't get there on the internet.
anyway, I'm just joshing you all.. all level headed solutions accepted. thanks
But they will be putting the final release as a critical update. So dont worry your bank will support the final release.
Binding IE6 to Windows was bad enough but calling IE7 a 'critical update'is a bit to far.
If it is so good why can't users just download it for themselves and see if they like it.
Mozilla really got them going on this one!
Oh and, Camino forever!
First scenario is that you use Firefox/Opera/Netscape. In this case, you can continue using your preferred browser. It's not that installing IE7 will cripple other browsers. Why even care about it?
Second scenario is that you use IE6 (that's what ~85% people use). In this case, you get a better browser with IE7 install.
For a browser whose market share is more than four times the market share of all other browsers combined, I don't think they need to be desperate.
All this is no different than IE7. They both download as updates and both give an option not to install.
And it's not just the browser. Yahoo messenger downloads newer versions automatically. iTunes does the same. What's the big deal here? If it gives better functionality and more security, why not do it?
Simple: IE part of Windoze, Firefox NOT part of Windoze.
Therefore Firefox does not "Do the same thing"
Merg
IE does have big faults when it comes to standards, addings silly quirks to things coded correctly (like three pixel margin bugs, etc). So fustrating when a properly-coded website works perfectly in all other browsers tested, then you turn to IE and groan. Web designers have joked that if you're not asking yourself "Why is IE doing that?" on a somewhat-frequent basis, you aren't really a web designer ;)
The designers here tested the IE 7 beta a while ago and while it isn't perfect, it's a step in the right direction as it didn't trip up on a site that looked fine in Firefox/Safari (and completely broke in IE 6).
If you bought you copy or it came with your name brand machine, you don't have anything to worry about.
If your job cut corners and installed one copy of xp all over the place or your custom made pc was loaded with a pirated copy of windows, then you'll have problems.
In the end, you still have choice. You can use Firefox or Opera. Both are free, although it's Firefox that's the memory hog, and not IE7. Actually, if you want to get technical, Opera uses the least amount of memory, runs faster, and is now a free download.
So, when it comes to browsers, pick one, keep it updated and always use a firewall.
Legislation is needed to demand that bug fixes are released as such as mandated by most consumer contract law (demanding you get what you pay for). If you paid for a functional reasonably safe browser you shouldn't have to accept new "upgrades" to get what you paid for originally.
They should maintain the EXACT same feature set and release bug fixes for that feature set to make it work properly.
Geopilot
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.globalboiling.com" target="_newWindow">http://www.globalboiling.com</a>
because the warming already happened
Get Opera:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.opera.com" target="_newWindow">http://www.opera.com</a>
Get Firefox:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/" target="_newWindow">http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/</a>
If you are in a corporate environment and know how INSECURE Internet Explorer is, what the hell are you waiting for?? Another Breach??
You must like putting your boses and company at risk and creating more work for yourselves. What's wrong with you?
If you are a home user - well, it's your money and your time - good luck!
And yes, you don't need to visit any website to install it... just let Windows update do the job
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y_Jp6PxsSQ&%20eurl=" target="_newWindow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y_Jp6PxsSQ&%20eurl=</a>
Do you understand the term "Unsupported Operating System"? Do you realize that Operating Systems using IE 6 hardly exist any longer because, well... they are NOT SUPPORTED!
Do you understand that MS is in the business of making money? Do you realize that they can only do this if they rebuild their OSes and force users to upgrade? Have you an inkling that Internet Explorer is so tied into an Operating System that the only way to protect the users from the security holes is to continue to issues Service Packs. You do know what a Service Pack is, don't you? It's an OPERATING SYSTEM UPGRADE!
The US government tried to tell Microsoft that it was a stupid thing to do but the brain dead clogs over there fought it with every dollar they had. So the only way to fully protect users is to update the OSes - which are NO LONGER SUPPORTED. Can you see the vicious cycle?
Here are some useful links for your edification - please study them:
"Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium Edition Support ends on July 11, 2006"
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifean18" target="_newWindow">http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifean18</a>
"Windows NT Server 4.0 Life Cycle"
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/winntas/ntendlife.mspx?mfr=true" target="_newWindow">http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/winntas/ntendlife.mspx?mfr=true</a>
"Windows Life-Cycle Policy"
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx" target="_newWindow">http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx</a>
"Fifty-six percent of companies still run Windows 2000 on some of their computers, and 19 percent use Windows NT 4.0, which was released in 1996"
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=107" target="_newWindow">http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=107</a>
"Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 98 (and Windows Me) on July 11th of this year. That means that any vulnerability discovered after this date will go unpatched. Essentially, you should assume that every Windows 9x system in your network will be compromised."
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://desktopchannel.everdream.com/blog_2006/05/start_preparing_now_for_window.php" target="_newWindow">http://desktopchannel.everdream.com/blog_2006/05/start_preparing_now_for_window.php</a>
"Analyst firms estimate that there are still between 50 million and 70 million computers running Windows 95, 98 or ME. Hardest hit by the cancellation of support will be home users and schools....."" ... ""Microsoft has not fixed every hole in Win9x""
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://news.com.com/Microsoft+puts+end+to+Windows+98+support/2100-1016_3-6092653.html" target="_newWindow">http://news.com.com/Microsoft+puts+end+to+Windows+98+support/2100-1016_3-6092653.html</a>
Wow, 50-70 million and we are ONLY talking about Win9x and ME. Hackers, Terrorist and every other tumor in society are probably the ONLY ones not complaining. They should be the ONLY ones NOT complaining.
Now... which version of the new OS would you recommend again?? Oh, yes - you said DO NOTHING... because Microsoft is your friend...
Why kill Win9x, ME, etc... when Vista is "just around the corner..". Because and I repeat - Microsoft is in the business of MAKING MONEY. So they want to force users to upgrade to XP NOW and then again to VISTA. You finally get it?? They couldn't wait another six months, NO... they really had to squeeze the last little bit of money out of XP now..
Now which version of Vista, you ask?
"Microsoft announced that Windows Vista will ship in six editions. All versions will be available in both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, except Windows Vista Starter which will only be available for 32-bit architectures."
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.techtree.com/techtree/jsp/article.jsp?article_id=74768&cat_id=610" target="_newWindow">http://www.techtree.com/techtree/jsp/article.jsp?article_id=74768&cat_id=610</a>
1] Windows Vista Starter
2] Windows Vista Home Basic
3] Windows Vista Home Premium
4] Windows Vista Business
5] Windows Vista Enterprise
6] Windows Vista Ultimate""
Isn't that nice... More Duplicate Operating Systems, more money and another slew of forced upgrades a few years from now starting with Windows XP!!
When I wrote about Windows 98, I was trying to prove that Microsoft doesn't stop supporting the older versions (of OS or browser) as soon as the newer versions are released. When Windows ME was released, Microsoft didn't say "All people using Windows 98 will have to upgrade to Windows Me because we won't support Windows 98 any more" No! Microsoft didn't do that. MS supported Windows 98 for six more years. That was long enough for an outdated product which is now used on only 2% computers. Tell me, can you really blame GM, if it doesn't make the carburetor for your 1975 Chevy? In both cases, it's not worth the time and money to continue supporting an obsolete product. They have to put a stop somewhere. Well, who knows, tomorrow another whiny baby like you will come and demand support for Windows 3.1
I never said that "the only way to protect the users from the security holes is to continue to issues Service Packs". You can read my previous reply if you don't believe me.
As far as IE 6 is concerned, Microsoft has not stopped giving updates and security patches for it and will continue to do so for quite some time after IE 7 is released (just like MS gave patches for Win 98 for long time after Win XP was released). People who use older OS like Windows 98 and Windows ME (who can't upgrade to IE 7), can download Service Pack 1 for IE 6. Yes! it's a service pack, just for the browser, not for the whole OS. Search on Microsoft website and you will find it. Microsoft will continue to provide more updates for IE 6 till the time when number of people using this browser falls to a very low level.
By the way, it's funny to see how you contradict yourself. In the first paragraph you said "Operating Systems using IE 6 hardly exist any longer..." and later you said that "Analyst firms estimate that there are still between 50 million and 70 million computers running Windows 95, 98 or ME" Do you even know what you are trying to prove here? And on top of that, to support your theory, you are quoting blogs!
"they want to force users to upgrade to XP NOW and then again to VISTA" Seriously, that would be really stupid, if someone will upgrade to XP, just for five months! Even if people upgrade from Windows 98 to Windows XP, it will be supported for atleast 1-2 years after Vista is released. So people won't have to quickly upgrade from 98 to XP to Vista. don't you think so? Besides, a computer running Windows 98 which was bought five or six years ago, can't run Vista anyways.
"More Duplicate Operating Systems, more money and another slew of forced upgrades a few years from now"
Dude! all six versions of Vista you mentioned will be released at the same time. You can choose whichever you fits your needs. It's pretty much like Windows XP which had different versions (Home, Media Center Edition, Tablet PC edition, Professional and Professional 64 bit) for different type of users or how GM has whole range of models depending on your pocket!
"Microsoft is in the business of MAKING MONEY" yes, and so is almost every other company on the planet. Even Mozilla is a money making corporation. Since when making money became an evil thing? What about you? Do you work for free?
...find a cure for cancer, invent a cheap renewable fuel source, or best of all, we could stop the boring, unceasing blah blah blah.