BleepingComputer.com: Do I have to upgrade to IE7 if I never use IE?

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Do I have to upgrade to IE7 if I never use IE?

#1 Lloyd T

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Posted 14 December 2008 - 11:47 AM

I currently use Windows XP SP2. My version of IE is IE6. I use Firefox 3 as my default browser. I only use IE if the web page needs to be in IE. Do I have to upgrade to IE7 if I never use IE?

#2 xblindx

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Posted 14 December 2008 - 11:49 AM

No, it is not necessary. You can always download IEtab Add on which uses the IE engine to open webpages in firefox.

This post has been edited by xblindx: 14 December 2008 - 11:50 AM

#3 Lloyd T

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Posted 14 December 2008 - 11:52 AM

Thanks for the reply, xblindx.

How about security reasons? The last time I posted a HJT log, the helper said that I should upgrade if I was concerned with malware.

#4 xblindx

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Posted 14 December 2008 - 12:03 PM

Well, IE7 is obviously more secure than IE6, but since you don't use it, it shouldn't be a major deal, just be sure to have a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware installed.

#5 Platypus

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Posted 14 December 2008 - 09:02 PM

Something to keep in mind is that IE is quite deeply integrated into Windows, and even if it is not being used as a web browser, IE-related components fulfil other system functions, such as the HTML helpfile system and in versions prior to Vista, the MS Update service. Other applications may also use the IE HTML rendering engine (including Firefox, as xblindx indicates), or the graphics rendering engine.

Security vulnerabilities in these areas may be addressed by Internet Explorer updates, so even if you avoid using IE as a web browser, keep whichever version you use fully updated, and it probably makes sense to have the current version, which one hopes would have the fewest potential exploits.

Pleased to have been a Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) 2007/8, 2008/9

I pressed F5, and I'm feeling refreshed...

#6 Lloyd T

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Posted 14 December 2008 - 09:05 PM

Okay, I'll try to upgrade to IE7 tommorow if I have time.

#7 xblindx

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Posted 15 December 2008 - 05:18 PM

Thanks for your input Platypus. It is much appreciated :thumbsup:

#8 Lloyd T

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Posted 16 December 2008 - 05:38 PM

Hello. Sorry for the delay in replying.

What are the drawbacks of updating to IE7? I've heard somewhere that Outlook Express will cease to function (good thing I don't use it) and Windows Media Player will have some problems working.

#9 xblindx

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Posted 16 December 2008 - 05:41 PM

I don't use IE, but I do have IE7 installed. Windows Media Player works fine for me. I have disabled Outlook Express so I wouldn't know about that. IE7 is also harder on your computer (obviously, since its newer than IE6) , but since you don't use it, it shouldn't matter.

#10 Lloyd T

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Posted 16 December 2008 - 05:44 PM

What do you mean it's harder on the computer? And how do you disable Outlook Express?

One of my computers have IE7 installed, and the WMP version is 9. WMP occasionaly freezes when IE7 encounters certain problems.

#11 xblindx

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Posted 16 December 2008 - 05:53 PM

I have WMP 11 I believe. And by harder on the computer, I just mean it uses more resources.

Trust me, you don't want to do what I did with outlook express. This was before I knew what I was doing. I just kinda......deleted the folder in Program Files :thumbsup: