Am I missing something?

**GeoffR** · 01-03-2010 16:37

I see that Microsoft have released an "update" that allows me to chose a different internet browser. [irony] Wopee! [/irony]

So with this update, that once installed cannot be removed, I get to decide which browser, in addition to IE, I want to load.

I already run Firefox so why would I want to load this "update" that I won't be able to remove so that I can chose a browser?

More to the point, why doesn't it give me the option to completely remove IE? Except that I know that IE is so integrated into Windows XP it would actually be easier to offer a new version of XP.

Seems that MS have done what the EU asked but only the absolute minimum.

Marks out of 10 for MS, -10! Unless I can completely remove IE all the vulnerabilities are still on the system.

Needless to say I won't be installing that particular update.

**BigWill** · 01-03-2010 17:10

Yep, I got that one too recently Geoff. Seems Microsoft have been forced to, grudgingly, offer an "alternative" or "additional" (as Microsoft would seem to prefer it!) web browser to go along with their OS! Ironic thing is that I actually prefer IE8 to the alternatives, so what was their problem in offering alternatives in the first place for all this time? Lack of confidence in their product or just paranoid and unjustified fear of the competition allied to a "tradition" of Microsoft "protectionist attitudes"?

BigWill

**Tooslow** · 01-03-2010 18:54

Start
Control Panel
Add or Remove Programs
Add / Remove Windows components

and off you go

JH

**swanseadave** · 01-03-2010 19:48

It was on the BBC 6 o`clock news tonight BBC report

It seems that only those who have ONLY IE will be targeted.

**GeoffR** · 01-03-2010 20:00

It was on the BBC 6 o`clock news tonight BBC report

It seems that only those who have ONLY IE will be targeted.

They got that wrong then, both my Windows machines have Firefox as the default browser and I had to deselect the upgrade on both of them.

Also, you can't actually remove IE, I have tried in the past and it was still there. Anyway teh computer I am currently using doesn't have IE, or Windows for that matter.

**swanseadave** · 01-03-2010 20:08

It was on the BBC 6 o`clock news tonight BBC report

It seems that only those who have ONLY IE will be targeted.

They got that wrong then, both my Windows machines have Firefox as the default browser and I had to deselect the upgrade on both of them.

Also, you can't actually remove IE, I have tried in the past and it was still there. Anyway teh computer I am currently using doesn't have IE, or Windows for that matter.

Yes they must have it wrong.Pasted from report:

----------------------------------------
It will not pop up in front of those who already run a different default browser, such as Firefox, Safari or Chrome.
----------------------------------------

**Meredith** · 01-03-2010 20:29

As you have always been able to use your internet browser of choice with Windows this update doesn't actually change things. It just makes it more obvious that you can use other browser to the people who never realised this.

If you don't want to use IE for any reason you don't have to remove it, just don't use it.

**GeoffR** · 01-03-2010 20:50

It was on the BBC 6 o`clock news tonight BBC report

It seems that only those who have ONLY IE will be targeted.

They got that wrong then, both my Windows machines have Firefox as the default browser and I had to deselect the upgrade on both of them.

Also, you can't actually remove IE, I have tried in the past and it was still there. Anyway teh computer I am currently using doesn't have IE, or Windows for that matter.

Yes they must have it wrong.Pasted from report:

----------------------------------------
It will not pop up in front of those who already run a different default browser, such as Firefox, Safari or Chrome.
----------------------------------------

You know I have read that several times and only now do I get what it is actually saying

**Kamepa** · 02-03-2010 11:11

I cannot see why people are getting so hyped up about this? Microsoft has for once actually done the right thing and you can even remove the update or refuse to accept it - - windows update allows you to black list updates you do not want to install. Internet Explorer has always been a capable browser especially IE7 & 8, but due to its market penetration has always been a target for hackers. To a lessor degree the same goes for Firefox, Safari and no doubt Chrome OS will become the next target for hackers.

Myself I use Linux as my main OS and have managed to get IE6 & 7 running but so far had no success with IE8. I even copied the whole windows install into .wine Linux directory structure! However I have started using the development nightly release version of Firefox which is always a step ahead of the current release so probably the most secure version.

However for serious work where security is an issue I believe if you want a lean mean secure web browser, Chrome, Firefox, IE, Safari and even Opera are not up to the task. The reason being they are prime targets for hackers. There are far better browsers out there like Midori for Linux. Or for Windows Seamonkey 2 being Netscape reborn.

**beejaybee** · 02-03-2010 12:34

I cannot see why people are getting so hyped up about this? Microsoft has for once actually done the right thing

No it hasn't. They've been let off. The intention of the anti-trust settlement was to prevent them from gaining a commercial advantage by bundling applications (specifically the browser) into the operating system. You still can't actually remove IE from a Win XP / Vista / Win 7 system, you can only choose to install a different browser & make it your default. Which you've always been able to do.

**Kamepa** · 02-03-2010 16:15

I cannot see why people are getting so hyped up about this? Microsoft has for once actually done the right thing

No it hasn't. They've been let off. The intention of the anti-trust settlement was to prevent them from gaining a commercial advantage by bundling applications (specifically the browser) into the operating system. You still can't actually remove IE from a Win XP / Vista / Win 7 system, you can only choose to install a different browser & make it your default. Which you've always been able to do.

What have they been let off for? Trying to lock people into Microsoft software on a Microsoft operating system? Tar and feather them because they saw fit to steer users in the direction of there own browser.

Mac are worse in steering everybody towards iTunes or App Store. Mac OS, Safari, iPhone, iPad have all been setup to push Mac products big time.

The reality is you cannot escape this brand war. Even Linux Distros like Ubuntu push Firefox on the user. It is officially supported by the main thrust of the project. In fact most Linux distros push Firefox, they do not say OK you have a choice as in Konqueror for the KDE desktop, or Epiphany for the Gnome Desktop. Or even mention the half dozen other browsers available including IE7/8 running under wine. Pot calling the kettle black comes to mind

Myself I use Lighthouse Linux with Opera, Seamonkey, Chrome and Firefox.

**GeoffR** · 02-03-2010 17:41

I cannot see why people are getting so hyped up about this? Microsoft has for once actually done the right thing

No it hasn't. They've been let off. The intention of the anti-trust settlement was to prevent them from gaining a commercial advantage by bundling applications (specifically the browser) into the operating system. You still can't actually remove IE from a Win XP / Vista / Win 7 system, you can only choose to install a different browser & make it your default. Which you've always been able to do.

What have they been let off for? Trying to lock people into Microsoft software on a Microsoft operating system? Tar and feather them because they saw fit to steer users in the direction of there own browser.

The European Court determined that Microsoft's actions were anti-competitive. They have been let off because, whether you like it or not IE cannot be removed from your computer and certain functions cannot be performed except through IE.

Mac are worse in steering everybody towards iTunes or App Store. Mac OS, Safari, iPhone, iPad have all been setup to push Mac products big time.

Pardon? The company is Apple, the Mac is an Apple product. Aside from having to buy Mac OS with a Mac computer you don't have to use iTunes if you don't want to. If you don't want to use Safari you can remove it from your computer. If you choose to buy an iPod or iPhone you have to use iTunes for some functions but you don't have to buy an iPod or iPhone unless you want to. Likewise the iPad. I suppose you can run Linux on a Mac if you so desire so I don't see Apple as behaving in any way the same as Microsoft has with IE.

The reality is you cannot escape this brand war. Even Linux Distros like Ubuntu push Firefox on the user. It is officially supported by the main thrust of the project. In fact most Linux distros push Firefox, they do not say OK you have a choice as in Konqueror for the KDE desktop, or Epiphany for the Gnome Desktop. Or even mention the half dozen other browsers available including IE7/8 running under wine. Pot calling the kettle black comes to mind

Myself I use Lighthouse Linux with Opera, Seamonkey, Chrome and Firefox.

Congratulations, but wouldn't it be better if people who choose to use windows also had the choice not to load IE, or to remove it completely? As has been said you have always been able to run other browsers in Windows but IE is always with you, whether you like it or not.

**BigWill** · 02-03-2010 18:08

Tis true Geoff.......................oh god don't we all know it is true......................IE8..................let 's make a date..................with MICROSOFT!........................even though she's uglier than Anne Widdicombe...................who happens to be bog ugly and eminently unshaggable.............she still does what she says on the tin! (God help us!)

BigWill

**GeoffR** · 02-03-2010 18:19

Tis true Geoff.......................oh god don't we all know it is true......................IE8..................let 's make a date..................with MICROSOFT!........................even though she's uglier than Anne Widdicombe...................who happens to be bog ugly and eminently unshaggable.............she still does what she says on the tin! (God help us!)

BigWill

**Kamepa** · 02-03-2010 18:21