[WinPartners] Update on Internet Explorer 8 release

[Alexander Kozlov]

Good Afternoon,

Microsoft has begun delivering IE8 as an update via the Windows Update service for machines running the older IE6 and IE7 browsers. According to Microsoft: "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 High-Priority. On Windows Vista and Server 2008 it will be Important. 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."

IS&T Recommendation
IS&T strongly recommends that Windows users WAIT to install IE8 until it becomes available as an approved update via the MIT Windows Automatic Update Service (WAUS) at http://web.mit.edu/ist/topics/windows/updates/. If you are not using WAUS, IS&T strongly recommends subscribing to it to prevent your machine from getting IE8 before support becomes available.

IS&T also recommends that staff in departments, laboratories, and centers (DLCs) who maintain web applications test their web sites, extensions, and applications to make sure they are compatible with IE8. IS&T will work with you to assist in finding a solution if you run into problems.

If you determine that your environment is not ready for IE8 deployment, you can use the IE8 Blocker Toolkit at http://tinyurl.com/c84vv4. This will prevent the installation of IE8 by Microsoft's Windows Update service. Please note that the IE8 Blocker Toolkit works only with the Microsoft Update site and not with the MIT WAUS site.

If a problem develops after IE8 is installed, you have an option to uninstall IE8 and roll back to IE7. To do this, go https://kb.mit.edu/confluence/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=4270377.

Please let the IE8 Release Team know if you discover any issues with IE8 and web sites, particularly those you use for MIT business and learning. For help or to share your findings with the team, send mail to ie-release at mit.edu<mailto:ie-release at mit.edu>.


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Important: MIT IT staff will *NEVER* ask you for your password, nor will MIT send you email requesting your password information. Please continue to ignore any email messages that claim to require you to provide such information.

Alexander Kozlov
Windows Platform Coordinator
Software Release Team
Information Services and Technology
N42- 250C
(617) 253-5103