Microsoft Internet Explorer 7

[BulletBobCo]

Looks like Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 is trying to be forced on to one's computer. My updates just converted Explorer 6 to 7.

[SouthTexas]

I've run FF for quite a while. Just bought a new Dell and have been reading what I could find on IE7, but haven't made the leap yet.

[Gene Eric]

I restored my computer to this morning to get rid of it. I'm ready to go to Firefox. Comments?

It's usually a question of which one sucks less.

[spacecowboynj]

Microsoft doesn't "force" any software on anyone and that goes double for an application like IE 7. Whoever started this thread was prompted for an upgrade and ran it.

I've worked in the industry for about ten years. This is known as "user error."

As for the Mac crowd....they're like clowns. Silly and gross. Unlike a PC, a Mac owns not just your OS, but your entire computer.

Silly people.

[Keeper of the Turf]

I'm not saying your sentiment is incorrect, just the statement that MS has taken the decision making process out of the user's hands.

His statement IS incorrect. All one has to do is turn off Automatic Updates.

[Turbopilot]

Bump - any thoughts on my #100? I don't mind improved (or at least unchanged) functionality with my other MS apps (Office suite, Outlook and everything that goes with it, etc.) but really don't want to mess up the way all of that will currently pass anything HTML seamlessly into Firefox.

[OKIEDOC]

Read my post 76 about the HP Director not opening when IE 7 is installed.

[ichabod1]

If I can't tell what something is for I usually google the name of the program and there are sites that will tell you what it is, what it's for, and whether you can do without it. Usually if it's related to the antivirus or microsoft I leave it alone. If it's Realplayer (tkbellexe) or adobe or for the DVD writing software I take it out. Many of these things sort of preload on startup so they will come up faster if you need to use them, but if you only use them rarely it just slows down your boot up.

Also, clear your internet history files and defragment your disk drive. These are the three basic tasks of performance tuning.

[TChris]

You should actually read the post before cage-rattling: ;-)

Here at work, I'm responsible for 130 PCs and 15 servers, all running Windows 2000 or 2003. I currently have... umm... four at home, running ME (Probably downgrade to 98 soon), Win2K Pro, XP Home and [X]P Pro

I'm just rattlin' your cage. A huge hospital I used to work at is still on W2K. I don't really get it because I don't have a problem with XP.

I've worked with XP plenty at home. I also build computers, and have used XP on zillions of 'em. Here at work, they'll finally be upgrading to XP next year. I really don't care one way or the other, since XP is mostly the same as 2000 under the hood.

[TChris]

I eventually got sick of web browsers messing up FTP and dislike most FTP apps and DL managers out there. I just do FTP by command shell. GUI is for noobs anyway. :p

Hmm... That's been my solution too. Maybe I'm a Linux hack and don't even know it. :-)

[zeugma]

We agree on one thing: we both like our babies :)

Alright you two. How can we get a good OS religious flame war started on this thread if y'all keep insisting on being reasonable and civil?

[TChris]

His statement IS incorrect. All one has to do is turn off Automatic Updates.

As far as putting things on there without you knowing about it, you're pretty much right. But I have recently seen a few specific examples of deception and arm-twisting that really tick me off:

1. Windows Genuine Advantage, an anti-piracy program that "phones home" to Redmond daily, arrived as a "critical security update"
2. The finally-released Windows Defender free anti-spyware program dropped Windows 2000 support, though the betas all had it. Their excuse is that spyware is a home computer problem, so Windows 2000 Professional and Server don't need it. (The obvious fact that many home users run Windows 2000 Professional, as I do, would appear to blow that theory.)
3. Office 2003 Picture Manager has no printing capability unless you're running Windows XP.
4. Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server will shut itself down in 10-15 minutes if you haven't set up Active Directory. I learned this while trying to make it work in a two computer network--the server and one workstation. A/D seemed like overkill for that.

Microsoft will get you where they want you to be, one way or another. ...as long as you want to run their software. I still cling to the old-fashioned notion that the computer's owner should be able to control how things are configured once the software is paid for.

[antiRepublicrat]

But I have recently seen a few specific examples of deception and arm-twisting that really tick me off:

One more: A Windows Media Player security update (Q320920) that came with a EULA change allowing Microsoft to install any software it wants on your system and to disable any software it doesn't want on your system. You had to accept the EULA if you wanted to close the numerous security holes the update fixed.

[TChris]

One more: A Windows Media Player security update (Q320920) that came with a EULA change allowing Microsoft to install any software it wants on your system and to disable any software it doesn't want on your system. You had to accept the EULA if you wanted to close the numerous security holes the update fixed.

Wow! Thanks for that info. I didn't know about that one yet.

[rxgalfl]

Alright you two. How can we get a good OS religious flame war started on this thread if y'all keep insisting on being reasonable and civil?


'Cuz' we're Republicans so by definition alone we're not hysterical kooks! :)

[Bilbo Baggins]

Can anyone help me turn off the blurry font (anti-alias) thing? It makes me dizzy when I read the screen. TIA.

[cpforlife.org]

I got 7.0 3 weeks ago and hate it. At least once per day all IE Browser windows just close down for no apparent reason.

I find it hard to believe that the richest man in the world and the most "important" software company in the world still release such absolute crap.

Gates should be neutered!

[Dr. Scarpetta]

The new IE 7.0 is a lot better than 6 so you might consider using it.

I'm having a problem with IE 7.0 if I have a lot of windows open at the same time. Sometimes I'll close one and LOSE ALL of them. Do you know why? (This never happened with 6.0)

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Also, I would like to add that sometimes when I'm on FR, I have a lot of windows open, and they won't all show up on the screen. Sometimes I actually can't find them.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Comments?

Go to Control Panel, select Automatic Updates and set the function to, "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them."

This will allow you to deselect Internet Explorer 7 and any other "update" you do not want installed.

Take control and don't let Microsoft force anything on you.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Comments?

Go to Control Panel, select Automatic Updates and set the function to, "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them."

This will allow you to deselect Internet Explorer 7 and any other "update" you do not want installed.

Take control and don't let Microsoft force anything on you.