Why am I getting 'essential' prompts to upgrade to IE 8?

[krazeekat]

I have Windows XP 2002 and have been running IE 6, getting all upgrades which
Windows deems 'essential'. Now, for some reason, Windows Updates keeps
showing IE 8 as 'essential' and I'd like to know how necessary it is? MUST I
get IE8? You should know I almost always use another browser, the latest
offering from Firefox-Mozilla. Between that one and IE6, I've been able to
get around the internet just fine. A few things Firefox won't let me do, the
IE6 will allow.

Is IE 8 still a 'beta' version? I've not been able to find that out.

Must one get IE 7 before getting IE 8?

Thank you for any suggestions you might have. This is all confusing to me,
sorry.

 

[krazeekat]

I have Windows XP 2002 and have been running IE 6, getting all upgrades which
Windows deems 'essential'. Now, for some reason, Windows Updates keeps
showing IE 8 as 'essential' and I'd like to know how necessary it is? MUST I
get IE8? You should know I almost always use another browser, the latest
offering from Firefox-Mozilla. Between that one and IE6, I've been able to
get around the internet just fine. A few things Firefox won't let me do, the
IE6 will allow.

Is IE 8 still a 'beta' version? I've not been able to find that out.

Must one get IE 7 before getting IE 8?

Thank you for any suggestions you might have. This is all confusing to me,
sorry.

 

[krazeekat]

I have Windows XP 2002 and have been running IE 6, getting all upgrades which
Windows deems 'essential'. Now, for some reason, Windows Updates keeps
showing IE 8 as 'essential' and I'd like to know how necessary it is? MUST I
get IE8? You should know I almost always use another browser, the latest
offering from Firefox-Mozilla. Between that one and IE6, I've been able to
get around the internet just fine. A few things Firefox won't let me do, the
IE6 will allow.

Is IE 8 still a 'beta' version? I've not been able to find that out.

Must one get IE 7 before getting IE 8?

Thank you for any suggestions you might have. This is all confusing to me,
sorry.

I apologize for forgetting that it's Windows XP 2002, SP3. Also, for
accidentally posting the original post twice.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

IE8 Final was released on 19 March 2009.

IE8 was released to Windows Update on 28 April 2009.

No, you do not have to install IE7 first or have it installed to be offered
IE8 via Automatic Updates/Windows Update.

Installing IE8 (or IE7) remains entirely optional. See below and/or go to
Windows Update | select CUSTOM and scan | Uncheck IE8 and "hide" it.

References:

IE8 Installation: the User is in Control
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2009/05/01/ie8-installation-the-user-is-in-control.aspx

Prepare for Automatic Update distribution of IE8
<QP>
Starting on or about the third week of April, users still running IE6 or IE7
on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Server 2008
will get will get a notification through Automatic Update about IE8. This
rollout will start with a narrow audience and expand over time to the entire
user base. On Windows XP and Server 2003, the update will be [a]
High-Priority [update]. On Windows Vista and Server 2008 it will be [an]
Important [update].

IE8 will not automatically install on machines. Users must opt-in to install
IE8. Users will see a Welcome screen that offers choices: Ask later, install
now, or don’t install.

[screenshot: http://ieblog.members.winisp.net/images/wuwelcomevista.png]

Users who decline the automatic update can still download it from
http://www.microsoft.com/ie8 or from Windows Update as an optional update...
</QP>
Source:
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2009/04/10/prepare-for-automatic-update-distribution-of-ie8.aspx

 

[krazeekat]

IE8 Final was released on 19 March 2009.

IE8 was released to Windows Update on 28 April 2009.

No, you do not have to install IE7 first or have it installed to be offered
IE8 via Automatic Updates/Windows Update.

Installing IE8 (or IE7) remains entirely optional. See below and/or go to
Windows Update | select CUSTOM and scan | Uncheck IE8 and "hide" it.

References:

IE8 Installation: the User is in Control
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2009/05/01/ie8-installation-the-user-is-in-control.aspx

Prepare for Automatic Update distribution of IE8
<QP>
Starting on or about the third week of April, users still running IE6 or IE7
on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Server 2008
will get will get a notification through Automatic Update about IE8. This
rollout will start with a narrow audience and expand over time to the entire
user base. On Windows XP and Server 2003, the update will be [a]
High-Priority [update]. On Windows Vista and Server 2008 it will be [an]
Important [update].

IE8 will not automatically install on machines. Users must opt-in to install
IE8. Users will see a Welcome screen that offers choices: Ask later, install
now, or don’t install.

[screenshot: http://ieblog.members.winisp.net/images/wuwelcomevista.png]

Users who decline the automatic update can still download it from
http://www.microsoft.com/ie8 or from Windows Update as an optional update...
</QP>
Source:
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2009/04/10/prepare-for-automatic-update-distribution-of-ie8.aspx

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank you so much, PA Bear! Guess I'll just 'hide' it for the time being.

What would be the pros and cons of upgrading from IE6 to IE8, very simply
explained, for a person still not that good at figuring out 'new' computer
workings?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

krazeekat wrote:

I have Windows XP [SP3] and have been running IE 6, getting all upgrades
which Windows deems 'essential'. Now, for some reason, Windows Updates
keeps
showing IE 8 as 'essential' and I'd like to know how necessary it is?
MUST
I
get IE8? You should know I almost always use another browser, the latest
offering from Firefox-Mozilla. Between that one and IE6, I've been able
to
get around the internet just fine. A few things Firefox won't let me do,
the IE6 will allow.

Is IE 8 still a 'beta' version? I've not been able to find that out.

Must one get IE 7 before getting IE 8?

Thank you for any suggestions you might have. This is all confusing to
me,
sorry.

IE8 Final was released on 19 March 2009.

IE8 was released to Windows Update on 28 April 2009.

No, you do not have to install IE7 first or have it installed to be
offered
IE8 via Automatic Updates/Windows Update.

Installing IE8 (or IE7) remains entirely optional. See below and/or go
to
Windows Update | select CUSTOM and scan | Uncheck IE8 and "hide" it.

References:

IE8 Installation: the User is in Control
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2009/05/01/ie8-installation-the-user-is-in-control.aspx

Prepare for Automatic Update distribution of IE8
<QP>
Starting on or about the third week of April, users still running IE6 or
IE7 on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Server
2008 will get will get a notification through Automatic Update about IE8.
This rollout will start with a narrow audience and expand over time to
the
entire user base. On Windows XP and Server 2003, the update will be [a]
High-Priority [update]. On Windows Vista and Server 2008 it will be [an]
Important [update].

IE8 will not automatically install on machines. Users must opt-in to
install IE8. Users will see a Welcome screen that offers choices: Ask
later, install now, or don’t install.

[screenshot:
http://ieblog.members.winisp.net/images/wuwelcomevista.png]

Users who decline the automatic update can still download it from
http://www.microsoft.com/ie8 or from Windows Update as an optional
update... </QP>
Source:
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2009/04/10/prepare-for-automatic-update-distribution-of-ie8.aspx

Thank you so much, PA Bear! Guess I'll just 'hide' it for the time being.

What would be the pros and cons of upgrading from IE6 to IE8, very simply
explained, for a person still not that good at figuring out 'new' computer
workings?

[To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you quote all of the
previous message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.]

IE7 is much more secure than IE6 and IE8 is more secure than IE7 (which is
why MS is "pushing" it via AU).

What’s New in Internet Explorer 8
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.04.ie8.aspx

Release Notes for IE8 Final
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/dd441788.aspx

IE8 FAQ
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/support/faq.aspx

IE8 Tour
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/tour/default.aspx

IE8 Videos
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/videos.aspx (Silverlight)
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=ie8videos&view=videos
• Overview:

• Security Features:

• Easier Browsing:

• Compatibility View:

• History of the Internet:

IE8 Features: Accelerators; Performance; Favorites & History Management;
Instant Search; Web Slices; Automatic Crash Recovery; InPrivate Browsing;
Security; and more
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/features/overview.aspx?tabid=1&catid=1

IE8: Features & Benchmarks (ZDNet)
http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/software/productivity/0,1000001108,39630019,00.htm
• Screenshot Tutorial:
http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/software/productivity/0,1000001108,39630014,00.htm

About IE7 (and higher) Installation and Anti-Malware Applications
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2006/10/11/IE7-Installation-and-Anti_2D00_Malware-Applications.aspx

About IE7 & IE8 and Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2008/05/05/ie-and-xpsp3.aspx