Microsoft: IE7 a 'High-Priority' Update

Microsoft announced distribution plans for Internet Explorer 7 onWednesday, saying it would make the next-generation browser availableas a high-priority download via the Automatic Updates feature. However,the company would make available an option to 'opt out' of the update,including an application for enterprise users to block the updateacross their entire network.

When the new browser is released,those who have Automatic Updates will be greeted with a screen givingthem an option to either install, ask later, or opt out of installingIE7 altogether. This would ensure customers are prepared to upgrade,Director of Internet Explorer Product Management Gary Schare toldBetaNews.

"We want to be transparent," he said. He explained that if a featurewould significant enhance security of Windows, it is automaticallydelivered without interaction from the user. "If it significantlychanges the user experience or feature set, we will always prompt," headded. In this case, IE7 falls into the latter category.

Schare saidthe company was releasing a small application known as the InternetExplorer 7 Blocker Toolkit, which is intended for use in enterpriseenvironments. The feature would allow an IT administrator to block theautomatic update of the new browser across the entire network, andwould not expire.

Still missing is a definitive date for therelease of IE7. Schare declined to say a specific launch date, onlyoffering that the browser would arrive sometime in the fourth quarterof this year. "Vista and IE7 are in a similar timeframe," he said."However, IE7 is a lot simpler than Vista so it could ship separatefrom it."

Schare said the two products could potentially ship several months apart.

Inany case, the Internet Explorer team does expect to ship one morerelease candidate before the end of September, but it should not bematerially different and only includes bug fixes and minor adjustments.Schare said in terms of the product, IE7 Beta 3 is "feature complete."

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