Windows 7 and IE 8

My OS is Windows 7 Hm. Prem. (64) Serv. Pk. 1 using IE 8. Support for IE 8 ends 1-12-'16. Do I need to upgrade to IE 11 or can I just leave and ignore IE 8 the way it is without the support. My default browser and home page is Chrome and except for the automatic part of IE, I don't use IE for anything. I'm not crazey about IE and 11 seems to make things worse in all to many cases. Risks ??? HELP !!! Thanks !!! .

Edited by Orange Blossom, 23 December 2015 - 02:45 AM.
Removed e-mail address to protect from spambots and moved to more appropriate forum. ~ OB

Hi Atty,

It's best to disable IE completely if you don't use, malware can still exploit it's vulnerabilities in some instances. To do this:

• click the Windows button
• Control Panel
• Programs and Features
• Turn Windows features on or off (from the pane on the left)
• uncheck Internet Explorer from the list and OK
• restart

This should solve the majority of the issues associated with it.

TsVk!

I would, even though you won't be using it, still update it to the latest version for Win 7. I also dislike IE, don't use it unless I have to, but have it installed regardless. 

You can download it from Microsoft here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/internet-explorer-11-for-windows-7-details.aspx

I concur with saw101.  There are those occasions when one simply must use IE (yes, they're rare, but I've had sites [e.g., some banks]) that insisted on IE.  You really, really don't want to continue using IE8 at this stage of the game for any reason.

It is fairly straightforward to upgrade, even if you don't use IE often [or at all, if possible], and at least that lets you have a reasonably decent version available to you.

One can even set or un-set IE to automatically update.  I have mine not to automatically update, I'll do it manually.

As Britechguy indicated - keep it in mint condition, there are a few web sites that run only with IE.  What I do not know: if IE  is disabled, does that affect anything that is found within IE's Internet Options.  IO appears to be the ruling party.

Edited by RolandJS, 23 December 2015 - 10:14 AM.