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.
What you're not getting is that YOU were the one who said IE7 was forced upon YOU and YOU had to figure out how to revert back to IE6, then you went on this rant that I've heard time and time again and that I've preached to others that updates shouldn't be forced upon users (meaning YOU and ME and anyone else using a WINDOWS COMPUTER), I'm merely suggesting what took you to the Windows Help file and basically told me what I already know, after I told you that I've completely disabled Automatic Updates, and I didn't need an IT degree like "IT guys like you" have. I know everything you know, only I didn't have to pay for my education, and I work part time in the IT departments of the local Credit Union, the local Bank, and the community hospital.
So if you want to surf the net on what would amount to Swiss cheese, go for it.
I've done nothing but present facts to this discussion, in a reasonable and cordial manner. You're the guy foaming at the mouth with hatred, attempting to insult everyone who uses Microsoft products as idiotic and incompetent when you've had to admit you don't have any actual experience on this topic whatsoever. But carry on, I'm enjoying the fact I've ruined your night.
I have NEVER said IE 7 was forced on me. I have said I've tried each beta, meaning I voluntarily downloaded and installed it. Show me one time in which I ever said it was forced on me, BS.
I have stated that IE 7 will be forced on people through Automatic Updates starting next month. THIS IS IN THE DANG ARTICLE POSTED, BS!
My concern is that 90% of the people will have this shoved down to them without understanding what's happened until it is too late.
Get real, BS. Read my dang words or at least, prove me wrong with my own words.
I stand by them otherwise.
Even if it was, your not forced to use it.
The argument seems to be based on your use of the word "forced", meaning against one's will. Nothing is being "forced", the users that are set to automatically accept whatever upgrades Microsoft sends out will indeed receive the upgrade, however, this is by their choice, albeit a previous decision. Those that are set to review updates before automatic install, will have a chance to opt out. Therefore, no one is being "forced", as you seem determined to insist.
I agree with your assessment in the context of the home user surfing the net, but in an enterprise environment where version sensitive web based apps serving hundreds of desktop clients are in use, forcing the software onto machines is very bad. I'm going to be running some audits and adjusting our GPOs to disallow windows update until the web developers get some testing done(I bet they didn't see this coming lol, and it will be all my fault when sh1t hits the fan). I'd like a SUS but my boss is too frugal lol.
I've told them to try Firefox, but they're content with Internet Explorer. No one forced them to switch, and it's their computer, and if they want to use Internet Explorer 5.01, that's THEIR CHOICE.
Ummm... I want to stay out of the personal attacks.. I like to debate stuff(i know it gets heated sometimes, but like to try and keep it civil), lately have been posting to and debating the Mac people because they have TONS of threads about them, with only yes men an backslappers on those threads... I figured that they needed someone to argue with or else they would start to feel lonely as if 5% market share isn't lonely enough. :)
I do not drink, also I do not use automatic updates...(i have it set to only notify me)
Actually, it looks like Vista is going to be "buy once, transfer once"
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2100-10877_11-6126379.html?tag=nl.e019
Best way to do it. The only reason why it was done where I worked was because of the sasser worm a couple years back. Updated systems weren't affected, we had many that wasn't updated and got hit. A high level VP then delivered the declaration of mandatory windows updates upon us all! Of course he's gone now hehe.
using the "notify only option" you can choose to have it "never notify you again" or you can go to windows update and choose the updates you want... pretty simple.
I'm aware of that. It's what I use at home on my Windows machines.
you can reinstall it on the same machine as much as you want.. and transfer it to a new motherboard 1 time and reinstall it on that mobo as much as you want.
ok cool, some people dont know about that.
Everyone in my company received a strongly worded email today from our IT guy warning to not download this upgrade. He advised of all the problems it could cause. It didn't mean much to me because I've been using Mozilla ever since I heard about it here on Free Republic a year ago. I haven't experienced any of the problems my co-workers constantly experience with IE, especially with the dang pop-ups.
Well, thats a load of crap, I buy a new motherboard approximately every year.
Greedy Bill is making me look at linux, I don't need this crap.
Gearheads who like to tinker and upgrade are gonna be screwed.
Read this from Dvorak: http://security.ithub.com/article/Onerous+Vista+Activation151A+Time+Bomb/191484_2.aspx
Onerous Vista Activation—A Time Bomb?
REVIEW DATE: 16-OCT-2006
Discuss Total Posts: 21
By John C. Dvorak
I suspect the policeman will actually be hacked before the OS. It might actually be easier for the pirates to create a fake cop that constantly authenticates fake versions of Vista than it will be to create a Vista imitation that can pretend to be a legitimate version. There is some irony to that idea. But that's none of my concern. I'm more worried about some joker creating a virus or exploit that turns the good cop into a bad cop, and I can only imagine the destruction and hassle that will ensue.
First of all, this policeman program is also a traffic cop. Aside from having the potential ability to turn your operating system off so that it cannot work at all, it is the program that allows your OS to be upgraded. There will be no patches for an exploit against the program that turns off upgrades. Once a virus that makes the cop refuse to authenticate Vista hits the Net, then how can the problem be fixed? By definition and the way I see it, this will be an impossibility.
This concept of hacking the policeman is not new. If you recall some of the viruses from a few years back, many of them would first attack antivirus software to render it useless.
I do not even want to think of the consequences of Vista turning itself off in enterprise situations such as airline reservations or a hospital full of patients on life support. A serious collapse of the authentication network that could not be fixed without sending out discs or one-by-one-downloads will end up in the courts, and you can be certain that the shrink-wrap license agreement that holds Microsoft blameless will be tossed out as bogus.
Of course Vista isn't shipping yet, and a lot of final decisions have not been made. But Windows Genuine Advantage has already been test-marketed on Windows XP users. Why anyone running Win XP would ever install it is somewhat mysterious, but let's face it, most people are trusting, gullible, and naïve when it comes to big corporations pushing them around.
All I can say is that Microsoft's strategy could become a tremendous nightmare if the black-hat brigades target the Windows Genuine Advantage scheme with an answer of their own. Stay tuned. It could get ugly.
I build by own and get a new system/ mobo about every 2 years, so... 1 copy will "last" 4 years(more than that but for sake of arguement)
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