Posted on 10/18/2006 9:32:00 PM PDT by Eagle9
Microsoft on Wednesday launched the first major update to Internet Explorer in five years, and posted the new browser for Windows XP to a download site.
IE 7, which has was announced in February 2005 by chairman Bill Gates, has been touted by the company as a significant update in the areas of security and usability. The interface has been streamlined and tabs have been added to compete with rivals such as Mozilla's Firefox and Opera's flagship browser. On the security front, IE 7 adds anti-phishing defenses as well as additional features to control ActiveX controls, which historically have been a pain point for Microsoft's browser.
IE 7 for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 can be downloaded from here.
"It's here, it's final, and we're excited," said Margaret Cobb, the group product manager for the browser.
The most controversial aspect of IE 7 has been Microsoft's decision to push the update to all users who have Automatic Updates enabled. Although users can reject IE 7 -- and continue using their current edition of Internet Explorer -- Microsoft will begin rolling out the browser as a "High priority" update next month. In July, when Microsoft offered up a toolkit to indefinitely postpone IE 7's installation, it justified using Automatic Updates, a mechanism for providing patches to Windows, because of the new browser's security implications.
"We've told enterprise customers to be ready [for IE 7] by Nov. 1," said Cobb. "It won't begin Nov. 1, but they should be ready."
The IE 7 update will also not add to the burden of Microsoft's monthly security patch delivery, scheduled for Nov. 14, promised Cobb. "We won't do it on Patch Tuesday."
Microsoft will also throttle back IE 7's delivery to keep the server load under control, she added. "We're starting with English, and then moving to the localized versions as they come available. At first we'll run it very slow, to a low percentage of users." After assessing the impact, Microsoft will increase the amount of traffic from the servers. "I'll have a 10 a.m. call every day to go over the impact on support or services," said Cobb, who can then order downloads to be scaled back or increased.
It will take as long as three months to deliver IE 7 to all users worldwide. "As each localized language comes online, we'll wait a few weeks after posting it for download before delivering it through Automatic Updates."
Microsoft has made one change late in the game. After IE 7 has installed, it will tell the user which search engine is the current default -- grabbed from IE 5 or IE 6 -- and then ask if they want to make a new choice. The process is similar to, but not identical, to the choice that Windows Vista users will face when they upgrade from Windows XP.
"We added this after RC3," said Cobb. "We're letting users know what engine is the default, and asking them if they want to keep it or do they want to switch. We're also going to be supporting IE 7."
Beginning Thursday, Microsoft will open a free, toll-free support line for IE 7. The help desk will be manned Monday through Friday 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PDT, and on weekends from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT.
Internet Explorer's chief rival, Mozilla Corp.'s Firefox browser, is nearing the final release of version 2.0. Currently on Release Candidate 3 (RC3), Firefox 2.0 should make it out the door before the end of the month.
Users who want to block the download and installation of IE 7 through Automatic Updates, as well as the Windows Update and Microsoft Update sites should steer here, where they can retrieve the Internet Explorer 7 Blocker Toolkit.
Thanks for posting that. I saw it on /. this morning and LOL.
Microsoft is trying to keep their revenue stream going. They could not care less about your security.
As for "letting" IE on your corporate network,...
We know you don't live in the real world, but out here, you don't necessarily have control over every single desktop, as you have remote locations, and clients that may or may not run the exact same version of windoze that you do. I can't wait for the corporate edicts to start coming down saying "don't use IE 7!"
It's not far off...
Having several thousands systems to maintain definitely qualifies me as real world. Shutting down Windows Update on a corporate LAN is as simple as adding it to your GPO in Active Directory, or requiring a .reg file or secutity template for those without A/D. Speaking of real world you probably don't even know how to perform such trivial tasks due to your refusal to even use Windows, much less support it, leaving your ability to even comment on these subjects being reduced to the equivalent of "spitballs from the back row".
You did see where Secuinia has already issued a security alert on IE7? Luckily, it's not too serious. That has to be a record. :-)
Either way, I don't plan on running IE7...
The RC's didn't impress me, given what Firefox and Opera already have, and what the devel versions (esp. FF) promises.
It seems like the browser wars forced MS into an upgrade for IE--out of fear of losing marketshare in the browser market.
Agreed. The only real reason is to add a capability that you actually need.
Yeah, I saw that. LOL!
You do realize that noone actually believes anything trolls say don't you? Trolls lie as a part of their trollish nature. I don't use windows because life is simply too short for that kind of aggravation.
I've admitted many times on this forum that my software tech knowledge is limited to just enough for me to get by and do what I need to do. What struck me as odd about that vulnerability in IE 7 is that secunia.com had reported it on April 27, 2006, in IE 6. Even though it is listed as Less Critical, it seems like MS would have gotten around to plugging it before they rolled out their highly touted IE 7.
"Firefox is my primary browser with Opera being my secondary."
I've been on the prerelease Firefox 2.0 for quite a while now. A lot safer that way, can't afford to be infected for whatever reason.
Quite obviously you're the troll with zero "real world" experience with this issue then. I strongly suggest you keep that in mind before making any other absurd statements or questioning the expertise of those of us with actual real world experience in this field. If we need any assistance downloading and installing some foreign clone of US products like the Knoppix you use, we'll let you know.
It won't be available for XP Sp2?
I really do not want Nanny State Vista spying on everything I do.
That's why they're called "Beta Versions".
What does DX10 bring to the party that wasn't there before?
"Get this, Vista only allows 2 installs, then its time to pony up more cash. "
And what happens when four and more cores happen with virtual machines?? How many copies do you buy then?
XP SP2 is the oldest version of XP it will work with.
"IE7 is just as good as FF IMHO"
Somehow I can't seem to get it to install on my Win2000 server. Oh wait, it doesn't install on anything but XP sp2
They're a big and easy target to hit.
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