From the Internet Explorer Team Blog: Almost a year ago, we released Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP. Since then, IE7 is well on its way to becoming the most used browser in the world, and we’ve seen lots of evidence that IE7 makes it safer and easier to accomplish everyday tasks online. For example, the built-in Phishing Filter has protected consumers from known phishing web sites an average of 900,000 times per week. IE7 is the first – and still the only – browser with native support for Extended Validation SSL Certificates that help prevent online fraud. (Of course, tabbed browsing, QuickTabs, shrink-to-fit printing, an easily customizable search box, CSS improvements, and some add-ons are all good things too.)
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.
Additionally, we’ve made minor changes to IE7 for Windows XP based on customer feedback ->
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.
Additionally, we’ve made minor changes to IE7 for Windows XP based on customer feedback ->
- The menu bar is now visible by default.
- The Internet Explorer 7 online tour has updated how-to’s. Also, the “first-run” experience includes a new overview.
- We’ve included a new MSI installer that simplifies deployment for IT administrators in enterprises. Learn more about it here.
Download: Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP SP2 | 64 bit Client/Server Download: Server 2003 SP1 or Server 2003 SP2 | Server 2003 IA64
View: Internet Explorer Team Blog
Standards huh, like what? ActiveX? Oh wait, that's not a standard. What other browser specific stuff does IE7 have that MS would like to control?
You ever stop and think that maybe, oh just maybe, this is so that people who don't have legal versions of Windows who can't upgrade to IE7 but are still using IE6 can now upgrade? And before you jump in and say "they should just use FF or Opera", yeah, many just use IE6 because it works fine for them, and even if they do use FF or Opera the fact IE6 is still installed leaves things unprotected unless people upgrade.
Does that really make any sense? How is altering the ability to install going to affect stuff ... that's already installed?
True; which asks the question - are they going to start rolling back WGA for other things - Windows Media Player will next to receive the de-WGA-ing? Have Microsoft admited that WGA has accomplished nothing more than to **** legal end users off with the latest couple of fiasco's?
Standards huh, like what? ActiveX? Oh wait, that's not a standard. What other browser specific stuff does IE7 have that MS would like to control?
You ever stop and think that maybe, oh just maybe, this is so that people who don't have legal versions of Windows who can't upgrade to IE7 but are still using IE6 can now upgrade? And before you jump in and say "they should just use FF or Opera", yeah, many just use IE6 because it works fine for them, and even if they do use FF or Opera the fact IE6 is still installed leaves things unprotected unless people upgrade.
Dear god, please, rub some brain cells together.
If Microsoft gain more marketshare, they can then promote Microsoft standards over and above openstadards - using IE 7 as the vehicle, thus locking end users into Internet Explorer - ego, Windows, as 'the platform' if you want to access content.
For me, those sites which use "Microsoft only" technology find themselves as a place I won't visit.
I thought so...
NOT sarcasm, I would really like to know why you think this.
Thanks
James
NOT sarcasm, I would really like to know why you think this.
Thanks
James
Because millions of pirated OSes got IE7 installed already and WGA bypassed?!
NOT sarcasm, I would really like to know why you think this.
Thanks
James
Because millions of pirated OSes got IE7 installed already and WGA bypassed?!
Yes, this is one of the reasons Autopatcher became targeted by Redmond (I'm blaming noone but the pirates).
WGA serves as an incentive to buy your license when you can afford to, and now backporting IE to not need WGA suggests something else is occurring. I wonder if new software updates will be WGA protected for a year, and then moved off the WGA list.
THAT would be an interesting method.
Ah, ok. If that was the meaning then I understand.
However I was thinking that the person's meaning was that WGA was completely worthless. I understand that many (most?) here on Neowin have the technical knowledge on how to bypass, crack or otherwise twart these systems. And I think that MS knows most people with decent technical knowledge can bypass these measures. I believe that the value for MS for WGA is for the average home/business user who bought a system from the local discount computer hut (Jabba's buddy) and the hut is using pirate software... in doing this MS can get to the companies that are distributing. I don't believe it's about getting the single person to come clean. But hey, what do I know.
WGA is just pathetic.
WGA is just pathetic.
Yes, however remember the part of the sentence where you state: "If you know what you're doing" Many, many people don't. You're smarter and/or craftier than that. See my post above.
Thanks
WGA is just pathetic.
Yes, however remember the part of the sentence where you state: "If you know what you're doing" Many, many people don't. You're smarter and/or craftier than that. See my post above.
Thanks
Bingo.
It's all about preventing casual piracy.
And many, many, people do. One just have to see how popular the WGA broken versions of Windows Vista are on various torrent sites... daily. It would be interesting to see a breakdown of this, but I think the research would be hard to conduct, since "casual piracy" is subjective.
I'll bet you that those many, many people that don't [know what they're doing / how to bypass WGA] know at least one person who does...
And many, many, people do. One just have to see how popular the WGA broken versions of Windows Vista are on various torrent sites... daily. It would be interesting to see a breakdown of this, but I think the research would be hard to conduct, since "casual piracy" is subjective.
Correct. Locks keep honest people honest. Old phrase, but there is a kernel of truth. THere are so many people with the knowledge that you and I have... but they are the minority. Most end-users are, well, they are the ignorant-masses. Most end-users don't know about Bittorrent, hacking and the registry. So WGA helps keep those people inline. Those who are informed of the abilities to backdoor or hack the locks (WGA, doggles, etc) can get the software and run it the way they want.
I have a hard time believing that there will ever be a perfect solution, and I don't believe MS or any other company REALLY believes that they can completely stop piracy (aka theft of any products. Heck, someone can go into a computer store and RUN out the door with a real copy of the software) I think technologies such as WGA are locks to help keep honest people honest. That's all
Peace,
James Rose
New York City
This is a smart move because the people who know what they're doing can easily bypass WGA anyways, so this helps out the people who don't have the technical skills or confidence to try anything risky and end up leaving their computers more exposed... If only this was done with windows updates as well...
Could it be in preparation for IE8?
Boooo!
That's a step backwards.
Just press the ALT key you noobs. This is probably for the same noobs who install every toolbar available and have only an inch or so left for the actual web page
Oi! I'm not a noob!
Actually, I hate Microsoft's apparently new hatred of the menu bar. I've had to re-enable the menu bars for IE7, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Media Player, and especially for the Vista Explorer.
Seriously, the menu bar is very useful, an integral part of GUIs. I do not agree with the idea of toggling them using the ALT key or something just because Microsoft wants to do that. No point, it's not like it's saving that much space in a window.
I've never used the word myself. I never realized how stupid it sounds until I heard some guy in his 40's using it on Xbox Live during Halo 2. Now it bugs me to hear anyone say it.
I've never used the word myself. I never realized how stupid it sounds until I heard some guy in his 40's using it on Xbox Live during Halo 2. Now it bugs me to hear anyone say it.
The only thing worse than that is pwned - most idiots don't even know the origin of the word, and yet, still use the damn term. Oh, that, and everytime I hear or read 'ftw', I want to punch the individuals lights out.
I've never used the word myself. I never realized how stupid it sounds until I heard some guy in his 40's using it on Xbox Live during Halo 2. Now it bugs me to hear anyone say it.
come on ppl, just use a 'b' for the 'n' :p
that he isn't getting it yet... i don't have my update still either.
So just what did you mean by hmmm if you're not confused about something? How is a newer release having a higher version number not normal? Your post made no sense at all. Oh and how nice of you to call me names, very classy. Is there anything else you'd like to add or have you degraded yourself enough yet?
It just came out, I think it usually takes them a while to get stuff on Windows Update. Plus this isn't really considered a security update anyway. If you want it there's a handy link right at the top of this page.
So just what did you mean by hmmm if you're not confused about something? How is a newer release having a higher version number not normal? Your post made no sense at all. Oh and how nice of you to call me names, very classy. Is there anything else you'd like to add or have you degraded yourself enough yet?
IF you actually READ more than flap your lips, you'd have already seen it says in the article that if you're ALREADY running IE 7...THIS WON"T BE OFFERED TO YOU VIA WINDOWSUPDATE....
So that was for the "hmmmm"...thinking whether there is something "NEW" in this or not...NOT just the bloody version number.....
It just came out, I think it usually takes them a while to get stuff on Windows Update. Plus this isn't really considered a security update anyway. If you want it there's a handy link right at the top of this page.
You just nailed it right there!
(Terry Gilliam)
I've had two legal copies of Windows, XP and Vista, invalidate my keys and I hadn't even changed either the MB nor the CPU in both cause. With XP it was from installing a VIRTUAL CD-ROM program, and with Vista it was just updating my video drivers for my x1650 Pro card directly from ATI.
I shouldn't have to call India and beg to use either on my system. This is why I've dumped Windows as my primary OS and moved over to Linux and I also left much aggravation, and dread, behind as well.
Duh!!! That is the first thing that I've tried and it NEVER worked for me and I have to call India to ask for permission instead. Plus, it doesn't work with OEM versions of Vista at all, so I have to default to begging someone in India to continue using it on my system EVERY TIME I have to even update a driver.... Even the so-called automated system is an insult considering just how crappy activation truly is. BTW, if you request an activation too many times they will refuse to activated it ever again and you're S.O.O.L.
How would you like it if you had to call your dealership every time you bought a new part for your car, from someone else, just to get it to start? Would you feel that you actually bought something, or that they're only letting you use it until they decide that you can't anymore even after you spent all that money on it?
Last edited by Foub on 05 Oct 2007 - 19:29
I already know that and I shouldn't have to do it either. Under Windows you spend more time with it than with the programs you use under it....
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