IE8 Released As Critical Update For XP

Binestar was one of several readers writing in to note that Microsoft is listing IE8 as a critical update to Windows XP. CNet reported a couple of weeks back that Microsoft would be rolling our IE8 to users in a gradual fashion, and requiring an opt-in before installing it. Opinion has been split as to whether IE8 is worth installing or not. Binestar notes delicately, "For those not interested in upgrading to IE8 at this time, the MSDN released information back in January on how to keep IE8 off your machine."

Comments

Let me guess...

[click2005]

"For those not interested in upgrading to IE8 at this time, the MSDN released information back in January on how to keep IE8 off your machine."

Install Linux

Re:Let me guess...

[laughingcoyote]

Install Linux

Most people still prefer a computer that is useful.

Yes, exactly, which was why the grandparent was giving some advice as to how to make one useful. They always ship with some toy OS that's useless for anything, though I hear it's alright for video games.

Didn't XP ship with 6?

[prehistoricman5]

Whenever I encounter a computer running ie6, I want to take a sledgehammer to the computer.

Re:Didn't XP ship with 6?

[Mad Merlin]

No, that's not enough. The only way to be safe is to nuke it from orbit.

Re:Didn't XP ship with 6?

[cluke]

I guess when people are intent on dropping things on your head from a great height, it is prudent to explore any means necessary to effect their cessation.

Re:Didn't XP ship with 6?

[thanosk]

Just to be a pedant, you actually have to have something a lot larger than a telephone pole. You tried to cover yourself by saying "made of tungsten," but I'm going to guess the deceleration would break or melt even the toughest of elements.

I disagree... Rumour has it that chairs made for a certain redmond company were specifically made that could withstand re-entry in the case a certain CEO really blew his top off

Re:Didn't XP ship with 6?

[Trails]

We can't take your advice, you're just a grunt... no offense...

Re:This is good news for web developers.

[NMSpaz]

We just need to get all the golf websites to drop IE6 support, then watch how fast IT departments are told to make upgrading the standrard corporate browser a priority.

Hooray!

[genner]

I'm currently unemployed and don't have to deal with the fallout from this!

Re:Hooray!

[DigiShaman]

Hey, you might get employed to help out in the cleanup process. Lucky you

Re:what's so critical about a web browser?

[Tumbleweed]

You haven't been paying attention to the way Microsoft works, have you? This has been typical for .... ummm .... as far as I can remember. Ship first, patch later and frequently.

Erm...'frequently'?

Re:what's so critical about a web browser?

[symbolset]

IE6 has some root code that is insecure and patching is merely chasing the tail of the dragon when it comes to security exploits.

This would have been a great post without the spurious "6" in there. Was that a miskey?

Re:what's so critical about a web browser?

[JWSmythe]

    Yes, frequently. I said nothing about timely.

Re:WMP11 Media Sharing and IE8

[Bacon Bits]

Your post is the first I've ever heard of the Media Sharing feature. I think MS will be able to handle the vast number of complaints you and the other four users of the feature will have.

In the meanwhile, the rest of us will enjoy a more secure, standards-compliant Internet. Yes, IE8 is not perfect, but it's still an improvement over IE7 and IE6.