Microsoft today released the Internet Explorer 11 Automatic Update Blocker Toolkit for Windows 7. You can download it now from the Microsoft Download Center.
As its name implies, the toolkit can be used to prevent Internet Explorer 11 from being automatically installed on users’ Windows 7 machines. When the new browser version is pushed out via Automatic Update, those with the toolkit won’t get it until they use the unblock procedure or download IE11 manually.
This toolkit, like its predecessors for IE7 through IE10, is meant for business and organizations that aren’t yet ready to install Microsoft’s latest and greatest. In other words, they want to deploy it at their own pace.
One has to wonder if Microsoft will ever stop making such a toolkit. Remember: it’s being released in the same day and age where Chrome and Firefox have automatic updates that install in the background every six weeks or so.
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On the one hand, Internet Explorer is still the most popular browser in the enterprise. On the other hand, letting businesses keep old software leads to more harm (security holes are exploited) than good (some sites don’t break).
Furthermore, Microsoft already has another way to avoid IE11:
Organizations that use an update management solution such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) do not need to deploy the IE11 Automatic Update Blocker Toolkit. WSUS and SCCM allow organizations to fully manage deployment of updates released through Windows Update, including IE11.
Nevertheless, businesses are clearly demanding the toolkit if Microsoft has made it yet again for IE11. We’re just wondering when Microsoft will put its foot down and more aggressively update its browser in the business world.
See also – IE6 finally falls below 5% market share, but IE up overall as Firefox and Chrome dip and Windows 8 now up to 8.02% market share but Windows 7 sees bigger gains for the first time
Top Image Credit: Microsoft
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