Internet Explorer 8 To Be Distributed Via Automatic Updates
Microsoft has announced plans to distribute the new web browser Internet Explorer 8 to computers running previous installments of Internet Explorer via Automatic Updates.
The final version of Internet Explorer 8 was already distributed via Windows Update to users running a release candidate or beta version of the web browser.
The distribution will start in the third week of April 2009 for users running Internet Explorer 6 or Internet Explorer 7 on the Microsoft operating systems Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.
The update will be a high priority update for Windows XP and Server 2003 while it will be rated important on Vista and Server 2008.
Internet Explorer 8 Automatic Distribution
The roll out will commence gradually with no time frame given at this time. This does not mean however that Internet Explorer 8 will be installed on the computer system right away.
Microsoft is giving users the choice to perform the installation, to delay it or avoid it. The Welcome to Internet Explorer 8 installation wizard provides options to postpone the installation by clicking on ask me later, to install it right away, or to block the installation so that it won't be installed and you won't be asked later on again if you want to install the browser.
The majority of users will most likely perform the install of Internet Explorer 8 which is beneficial not only for them and the security of the computer system but also for web developers who usually dislike older Internet Explorer editions because they are slow and lack support for common web technologies.
Users, system administrator or companies who want to opt out can still install the Internet Explorer 8 Blocker tool. Note that the blocker tool is only required if you are not using update management solutions on your network.
New Internet Explorer users may be interested in Internet Explorer 8 ad blocking, a feature that the new version supports.
The most recent version of Internet Explorer can also be downloaded from Microsoft's website instead. Just head over there and download the latest version available for your Windows operating system.
Yes! I hope the mass won’t ignore this update. If this update is able to put IE6 its market share below 10% it’s over with the stupid hacks. ;)