IE7 Coming Through Automatic Update

Internet Explorer 7.0 (IE7) will be distributed through Automatic Update (AU), a service built into Windows XP that Microsoft uses to distribute security fixes as well as other updates to Windows. Unlike critical security updates, which can be configured to be installed silently and without notifying the user, IE7 will be a high-priority update and will require the user’s explicit consent to be installed. Microsoft is also providing corporate IT administrators a set of tools that block computers in their organization from receiving the update.

Better Security but Changed Behavior

IE7 is the first update to Microsoft’s Web browser since 2001 and includes a number of security improvements, such as anti-phishing filters and new restrictions on ActiveX controls. When IE7 is released through AU, users will be notified through the taskbar that the update is available and asked if they want to install now, install later, or not install at all. Installing the update requires that users’ systems pass Microsoft’s Windows Genuine Advantage validation. Installing the update preserves the user’s toolbars, home page and search settings. (Users can also get the update by going to the Windows Update Web site.)