Microsoft issues tool to block IE 7 auto updates
TechWeb | at | by Mike
Microsoft on Wednesday released a tool that will let enterprises indefinitely postpone upgrading to the new Internet Explorer 7 browser when it debuts later this year.
Although IE 7 for Windows XP remains in beta testing, the company wanted to offer the blocker now, said Gary Schare, director of product management for IE, because of lessons learned.
"We issued a blocker for Windows XP SP2 after the fact, but it was late in the game," Schare said, talking about a tool that Microsoft rushed into customer's hands in 2004. "With IE 7 we want to give enterprises ample time to deploy the blocker toolkit so that they can test IE 7 on their timeline." A blocker was also issued in 2005 for Windows Server 2003 SP1 that let enterprises fend off the update until March of this year.