Internet Explorer 7 via automatic update

Once Internet Explorer 7 has been completed, it will be distributed by means of download and installation to local systems autmatically by means of the Windows update system. Usually, automatic updates only concern security - patches to existing software. According to a staff member at Microsoft, the reason for this new policy is the existence of new security functions that IE 7 will contain.

Installation of Internet Explorer 7 by the update function is not expected to make any changes in the toolbars, the start page, the search settings, favourites, or the standard browser. In addition, users will be able to switch back to Internet Explorer 6 if they wish.

Microsoft has already made its Blocker Toolkit available. Administrators and IT managers who use an update management solution such as the Windows Server Update Services or the Systems Management Server 2003 can use it to prevent the updated browser from automatically being distributed to their company. This will allow them to determine their own procedure for a potential update to Internet Explorer 7 for their company.

Recently, Microsoft presented the Beta 3 of Internet Explore 7 and published a customization tool for the browser. The seventh version of Internet Explorer has a lot of functions that have long been available in other browsers, such as tabbed browsing, subscriptions to RSS feeds, and a search field for a customized list of search engines. Microsoft also emphasized the new security functions, such as protection against phishing and malware.

(ju)