Microsoft updates IE 7, drops WGA validation requirement for Windows XP
For reason that it wants to reduce the security risk of the entire Windows ecosystem as well as to make its browser available as broadly as possible, Microsoft has removed the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation requirement of IE7 for Windows XP users.
“Microsoft takes its commitment to help protect the entire Windows ecosystem seriously, and we’re taking a step to help make consumers safer online. We feel the security enhancements to Internet Explorer 7 are significant enough that it should be available as broadly as possible, and this means making it available to all users of IE 7-compatible Windows operating systems,” Steve Reynolds, program manager for Microsoft, told eWEEK.
“With today’s Installation and Availability Update, IE 7 installation will no longer require Windows Genuine Advantage validation, and will be available to all Windows XP users,” he said.
This means those with illegitimate or pirated copies of Windows XP can now upgrade their browser.
Other than the removal of WGA validation requirement, Microsoft has also made some changes to IE 7 for Windows XP. The menu bar is now enabled by default, IE 7 online tour has been expanded and the “first run” presentation has been updated.
This move would increase the adoption of IE 7. Since its release nearly a year ago, it has yet to replace IE 6 as the most dominant Web browser.
The update is also available Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 users.
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