Technology Microsoft to secure IE for XP only

[The Helper]

If you're one of about 200 million people using older versions of Windows and you want the latest security enhancements to Internet Explorer, get your credit card ready.

Microsoft this week reiterated that it would keep the new version of Microsoft's IE Web browser available only as part of the recently released Windows XP operating system, Service Pack 2. The upgrade to XP from any previous Windows versions is $99 when ordered from Microsoft. Starting from scratch, the operating system costs $199.

That, analysts say, is a steep price to pay to secure a browser that swept the market as a free, standalone product.

"It's a problem that people should have to pay for a whole OS upgrade to get a safe browser," said Michael Cherry, analyst with Directions on Microsoft in Redmond, Wash. "It does look like a certain amount of this is to encourage upgrade to XP."

Microsoft affirmed that its recent security improvements to IE would be made available only to XP users.

Microsoft: To secure IE, upgrade to XP - CNET

Affirms plan to make browser upgrades available only through XP updates, while half the Windows world operates with older OSes.

www.cnet.com

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That is it. I have had it with Microsoft. They are trying to capitalize on there poorly written software. I am switching to Firefox or Opera. Screw them.

 

[SD_Ryoko]

Perhaps they just don't want to waste time on majorly updating IE for Windows 98 and ME. Most people should be off of those platforms already, if not soon. (I would hope). Seeing as the life cycle for those platforms is over.

It is pretty dissapointing to see 50% or so will be left behind without the IE upgrade.

 

[The Helper]

I am not so concerned with Windows 98 and ME - its Windows 2000 that I am complaining about. I paid almost a thousand bucks for my copy of Windows 2000 (it is the server version) and for them to not give me the update.... like I said.... screw them.

 

[Rapmaster]

Windows Server 2003 will probably get the updates

(Actually, by default, IE in the server version is set to very restrictive security settings since the best practice is not to use your server for web browsing )

 

[The Helper]

What about win2k rappy? I need my win 2k updates. I thought 2000 was based on NT - diff than 98 and ME. In the end if I use Firefox or Mozilla that does not mean i am giving up IE as my operating system. Just my Web Browser. Another crossover in the Microsoft Browser wars.

I will never be away from IE as long as it is integrated with my Operating System. However I will do all my web browser using Mozilla. I hope Google comes out with a good browser as I would probably use that.

Google Browser. Update - Screw Microsoft on their IE Browser - Firefox and Mozilla compete and Microsoft is forcing me to use them. Fine with me, it is just a browser, someone else show me the way...

 

[The Helper]

Link fixed, probably broken for a long time but here is some history right here!