IE: Microsoft plans 'silent' updates

^{http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16214912}
Internet Explorer: Microsoft plans 'silent' updates

From January, Internet Explorer (IE) users will be automatically updated to the latest version of the browser.

Microsoft said it was starting the project to update millions of machines to improve security online.

Future updates to the browser would be applied without a user's knowledge to help beat scammers catching people out with fake updates.

Those who did not want their browser updated could opt out or uninstall the software, said Microsoft.
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I wonder if this will be a Microsoft own goal.

oh goody, we all get IE9 wether we want it or not.

So how do I keep IE8 on my machine then?

The linked article suggests that will be possible.

"Microsoft said it had made tools that would let people avoid or uninstall the more up-to-date versions of the browsers if they wanted to stay with an older copy."

Turn off automatic updates.

Makes sense to me. Most end users don't care what browser is on their computer, and it's obviously better if the majority are using the same release.

I can't think why anyone would want to stick with 8 rather than 9, and those who stick with 7 or 6 just cause problems for web developers.

It's a bit like all the fuss about IE being pre-bundled with Windows 7. In the end, who really cared?

Great! Now I won't have to load my websites with cr*p just to pander to MS non-standards browsers.

Bring it on!!

Agreed.

From January it says. Will be looking with interest at February's browser stats sites.

Exactly. IE 9 is far more compliant than earlier versions. No doubt this is one of the reasons for the move.

All the signs are that Chrome will be the number 2 browser. Guess where Microsoft got the idea from to update their browser silently.

Let's hope they never merge.