Daily Cup of Tech

Sure enough, I discovered IE7 trying to make its way into my system via Windows Update. In fact, it was even set as a high priority installation which means that many people will install it, thinking that it is actually crucial to the proper operation of their system!

After some research and coding, I discovered that there were some relatively minor changes that could be made to your system to modify how Windows Update dealt with IE7. I felt an AutoIt script coming on!

I wrote a quick application that will perform all of the setting changes for you so you do not have to go digging through the registry. The whole story is available in my latest article. You can download the software, source code, and learn how to use it! (All without validating your copy of Windows yet again!)

Similar Posts:

• Why AutoPatcher Beats Windows Update and WSUS
• DCoT Apps: Command Line Calculator
• HowTo Backup a Registry Key
• Once Again, Laziness To The Rescue!
• USB Drive RAID?

If you found this post useful, why don't you buy me a cup of coffee to show your gratitude?

Trackback link - http://www.dailycupoftech.com/2006/11/01/stop-ie7-via-windows-update/trackback/

 

10 Responses to “Stop IE7 Via Windows Update”

1. Andy Says:
   November 2nd, 2006 at 7:24 am

   Hi,

   Your script seems usefull, but stopping the IE7 update can actually be done straight from the alert update menu/window that pops up notifying about new updates. I did it yesterday, but I forgot the exact procedure. It’s as simple as unchecking IE7 and press ‘never ask me about this again’.

2. Matt Says:
   November 2nd, 2006 at 7:52 am

   Seems dumb to block IE7, even if you don’t plan to use IE it will update crucial security flaws…and remember, you DO use IE when you run Windows Update. Makes NO sense to block its installation. Dumb move.

3. Tim Fehlman Says:
   November 2nd, 2006 at 8:59 am

   Andy,
   There are several different ways to do this. You can also edit the registry directly. The application that I wrote just provides a very easy way to do it without having to go to websites or dig through the registry, etc.

   It is not necessarily providing people with the only way to do something. Rather, it provides people with more options.

   Tim

4. Tim Fehlman Says:
   November 2nd, 2006 at 9:17 am

   Matt,
   There are several people out there who do not use IE for anything. Including Windows Update!

   As I mentioned in the reply to Andy’s comment, this is to provide people with options. Nobody is saying that you have to do this. But, Microsoft is trying very hard to convince us that we do need to install IE7.

   As for whether or not it is a dumb move preventing IE7 from installing, I think it is a matter of opinion. I know people who could passionately argue either side of the issue.

   Tim

5. Matt Says:
   November 2nd, 2006 at 11:00 am

   I understand your point, but pretty much any article you read about IE7 will tell you to update even if you never use the browser since it is tied in so closely to the OS and has many security updates compared to IE6. I am sure there is a tiny percent of (paranoid) people who don’t use IE for anything, even updates, but even those people should still have the extra security of IE7 to be safe. I also understand that only those hardcore users would install your utility, by their own choice.

   Beyond updates, other programs that you run might very well be using IE components without you know it, and that is part of the reason MS is trying so hard to convince you to install it…that and world dominance of course.

   It’s like installing an anti-virus program and refusing the definition updates.

6. Scott Kingery Says:
   November 2nd, 2006 at 11:10 am

   Tim, thanks for this! On my computer running Vista RC2, IE7 seems to work with out problems. However, on my home desktop(XP)I tried to install it last night and could never get past the ‘RunOnce’ screen at the beginning as it kept locking up. Promptly uninstalled.

7. Smoking Gun Says:
   November 3rd, 2006 at 9:34 am

   Es gibt ein paar Tricks, wie man den Download verhindern kann. Zum einen bietet Redmond selbst ein Tool an, mit dem sich das Update blockieren läst. Dafür ist allerdings ein WGA-Check nötig. Daily Cup of Tech-Schreiber Tim Fehlman hat ebenfalls ein kleines Tool veröffentlicht, das den Download stoppt. Laut Microsoft selbst, lässt sich die Installation aber auch mit einem Klick beim Setup verhindern. Das ändert jedoch nichts daran, dass die IE7-Dateien vorher ungefragt heruntergeladen werden.

8. Firefox Help, Tips and Tricks Says:
   December 29th, 2006 at 4:44 pm

   my machines and it wouldn’t work so I promptly uninstalled. At least they give you that option. If you are a little worried that Windows Update is going to push it down on your systems you might want to check out this new tool from Tim Fehlman over at Daily Cup of Tech. It lets you keep IE7 blocked or at arms length until you are ready for it. I say let the rest of the world debug the thing. Tags: microsoft, windows, ie7, internet explorer [IMG]

9. Curious Says:
   June 19th, 2007 at 11:05 am

   It’s called choice. You choose one way, I choose another.
   Opinions are basically the same, but with one difference - we all have one (just like certain parts of our anatomy).

   Think the Beatles
   Hello, Goodbye

10. Ron C Says:
    December 5th, 2007 at 6:46 am

    Tim, the bloody thing downloaded to my system (XP) - but I’ve not allowed it to install… what I’d like to know is, where is it on my system - so I can go delete the download!

    Thanks for your helpful website!

    Ron

Leave a Reply