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IE 11 Blocker for Windows 7 Now Available
A tool that blocks Internet Explorer 11 installations on Windows 7 machines via Automatic Update is now available.
Microsoft last week released the Internet Explorer 11 Blocker Toolkit through its Download Center. IT pros can use it to block the automatic installation of Internet Explorer 11 on machines running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. It's not needed for those running Windows Server Update Services or management tools such as Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager.
Microsoft is all set to deliver IE 11 with Windows 8 on Oct. 18. However, it's still unclear when the Windows 7 version of IE 11 will arrive. IE 11 for Windows 7 is still at the "release preview" stage and its past releases have typically lagged behind its Windows 8 cousin.
Microsoft noted in its announcement that the Internet Explorer 11 Blocker Toolkit does not block the installation of IE 11 for those running the release preview version of IE 11 or the "developer preview" version of IE 11 on Windows 7 machines. Also, nothing keeps end users with local install rights from installing IE 11 on their Windows 7 machines.
The blocker toolkits are designed for specific browser versions. Past installations of blocker toolkits, say for IE 10, won't block IE 11, Microsoft advises.
This IE 11 blocker for Windows 7 machines has no expiration date, although it does include an "unblock" procedure should organizations change their views on delivering the browser to end users. Although Microsoft isn't saying when IE 11 for Windows 7 will arrive, without the blocker in place, IE 11 will get automatically installed through the Automatic Update feature in Windows 7 as an "important" update.
About the Author
Kurt Mackie is senior news producer for 1105 Media's Converge360 group.