Validation removed from Internet Explorer 7

Microsoft must be desperate. That was my first thought when I read that Microsoft made the decision to remove the Windows Genuine Advantage validation check from the download and installation of Internet Explorer 7. I was not able to come up with any other explanation why they decided to turn around 180 degrees and head for the other direction.

Their reasoning is that they removed the WGA validation to 'protect the entire Windows ecosystem'. We all know that Microsoft started to integrate Internet Explorer heavily into the system to dominate the thriving Netscape browser which turned out to be a successful marketing decision.

I personally think it is about market share and the hopes that Internet Explorer 7 is able to get most of the Internet Explorer 6 users to upgrade to it.

Because Microsoft takes its commitment to help protect the entire Windows ecosystem seriously, we’re updating the IE7 installation experience to make it available as broadly as possible to all Windows users. With today’s “Installation and Availability Update,” Internet Explorer 7 installation will no longer require Windows Genuine Advantage validation and will be available to all Windows XP users. If you are not already running IE7, you can get it now from the Internet Explorer home page on Microsoft.com, get a customized version from a third-party site, or, if you haven’t already received it via Automatic Updates, this version will be delivered to you as we described previously. If you are already running IE7, you will not be offered IE7 again by Automatic Updates.

Microsoft enabled the Toolbar in Internet Explorer 7 by default which is in my opinion a good move. Many users got confused by the new looks of the browser.