Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

IE8 Update Forces IE As Default Browser

Posted by timothy on from the how-awfullly-polite dept.

We discussed Microsoft making IE8 a critical update a while back; but then the indication was that the update gave users a chance to choose whether or not to install it. Now I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes in with word that the update not only does not ask, but it makes IE the default browser. "Microsoft has a new tactic in the browser wars. They're having the 'critical' IE8 update make IE the default browser without asking. Yes, you can change it back, but it doesn't ask you if you want IE8 or if you want it as the default browser, it makes the decisions for you. Opera might have a few more complaints to make to the EU antitrust board after this, but Microsoft will probably be able to drag out the proceedings for years, only to end up paying a small fine. If you have anyone you've set up with a more secure alternative browser, you might want to help check their settings after this."

4 of 311 comments (clear)

  1. Death to IE6! by mnslinky · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Here's to the end of IE 6 and all the hacks needed for site to render correctly!

    1. Re:Death to IE6! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Nope... Many corporations built their intranet around IE6 and changing browser will break it. Rather than spend buckets of money revamping their intranet, they are just more likely to keep going with IE6...

    2. Re:Death to IE6! by ivucica · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Real problem is they're forcing their browser to be default system browser, in place of Opera, Firefox, Chrome - whichever is your default. Y'know how aforementioned browsers (and older IE) ask you if you want them to be the default? The /. summary makes point of forcing IE8 as the default.

  2. You fucking suck... Slashdot by GF678 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm yet another person who installed IE 8 via Windows Update and it did NOT forcibly set itself as the default browser.

    Seriously Slashdot, do you even bother to vet your troll articles anymore? Do you realize how embarrassingly pathetic this one significant site in the tech world has become?