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IE8 lock-in warning for XP SP3 users

Summary: Microsoft is warning users of Windows XP Service Pack 3 that they may not be able to uninstall either the service pack or Internet Explorer 8.Jane Maliouta, a Microsoft program manager, warned users in a post on the IE blog as the company delivered Release Candiate 1 (RC1) of IE8 today.

Andrew Nusca

By for The ToyBox |

Microsoft is warning users of Windows XP Service Pack 3 that they may not be able to uninstall either the service pack or Internet Explorer 8.

Jane Maliouta, a Microsoft program manager, warned users in a post on the IE blog as the company delivered Release Candiate 1 (RC1) of IE8 today. It's a repeat of a similar caution she gave last August for IE8's second beta.

(More information about Internet Explorer 8 here.)

In the post, Maliouta recommended that users who had installed IE8 Beta 1 or Beta 2 before upgrading Windows XP to SP3, manually uninstall the older IE8 previews. Users who don't heed her advice will be stuck with both IE8 RC1 and Windows XP SP3.

"Windows XP SP3 and IE8 RC1 will become permanent. You will still be able to upgrade to later IE8 builds as they become available, but you won't be able to uninstall them."

A dialogue will also appear to warn users of the lock-in effect.

To avoid lock-in, Maliouta instructs users to first uninstall Windows XP SP3, then uninstall IE8 Beta 1 or Beta 2; then reinstall XP SP3 and then install IE8 RC1.

With IE8 RC1, Microsoft no longer asks users of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 to manually uninstall earlier IE previews before installing RC1. Because of the change, Microsoft will be able to push the RC1 update to all users running IE8 Beta 1 or Beta 2 via Windows Update at an unspecified time in the future.

Nor is there a timetable for delivering an update to users running Windows 7 beta, which has been public since January 10. Windows 7's version of IE8 is "pre-RC," and will eventually need to be upgraded.

An additional update is required before IE8 RC can be installed: without it, IE8 RC1 will balk during setup and show an error message saying "Setup cannot continue because one or more updates required to install Windows Internet Explorer 8 are not present." The patch is a revised version of a Vista SP1 prerequisite that sent machines into an endless round of reboots.

Topics: Operating Systems, Microsoft, Software, Windows

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53 comments
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  • Isn't this always the case? Why can't MS sepreate their

    software from the OS and make programs into self contained packages so an install and and uninstall is simple matter of drag and drop. Instead they scatter stuff all over and no one can ever full remove a program since traces are left behind. Dll's, preference files, registry entries. It's just the dark ages and know one seems to get it. I just does not have to be SO HARD or such a convoluted mess. Lord knows that if we produced a software package that could not be uninstalled all hell would break loose on our tech support lines. Customers deserve better from their OS.
    LittleGuy
    Reply Vote

    • Did you miss the part...

      ...where they said that those affected would be users of Beta 1 and Beta 2? Users of Beta software need to know that Beta = Not Complete, Not ready for prime time, use at your own risk, don't use on a machine that is important to you. Its entire purpose is to help the developers test the product and find the bugs. So we should not be at all surprised when bugs are found.
      cornpie
      Reply Vote

      • But why shoudl this ever be case? And for the record

        what Windows update have you ever been able to back out of. Don't forget the IE 5.5 SP2 update that disabled plug-ins and know one could back out of that, forcing everyone to use the less secure ActiveX. And yes I know plugins were implemented by ActiveX by MS anyway. plugin.ocx disabled by a registery entry and probably still exists in Windows 7 as a dead hunk of code adding to bloated OS.
        LittleGuy
        Reply Vote

        • Most updates can be uninstalled

          Either through the control panel or using the uninstaller provided with the update (found in subfolders of the Windows directory).
          cornpie
          Reply Vote

          • I think his point was...

            ...that, for example, on OS-X you remove an application by simply using the finder and dragging the folder that the app resides in to the trash can (deleting it). No DLLs or such to track down, very simple, and no bit rot or crumbs, so OS stays fast.
            914four
            Reply Vote

        • It is the case because

          The beta is for testing. Obviously, through testing, they've discovered that there will be a problem under the given circumstances if the RC is installed. Actually, I find it a plus that MS is giving you the heads-up now.

          Those who are using the beta do so of their own free will, and have accepted all warnings that go with using a beta. Now they are given fair warning not to get caught with their pants down. And anyone who can choose to use a beta should also be able to turn off automatic updates and download what they need themselves.
          So, there is more than one way to be prepared for RC1 if you've installed the beta, then SP3.
          seanferd
          Reply Vote

      • "So we should not be at all surprised when bugs are found."

        Exactly! We should never be surprised when bugs are found. I know I am not surprised even though I use only full commercial release production MS software.

        Note to MS XP SP3 architects: If you make me install Internet Exploder 8 with SP3, then I won't be installing SP3. It's that simple. Period.
        jacarter3
        Reply Vote

    • Not a problem with Vista

      The problem is limited solely to XP/2003 users. Vista has an entirely new component model which prevents the SP/IE8 "lockin" issue.
      PB_z
      Reply Vote

      • Thank you Microsoft

        Yet another reason why I am glad that I have
        upgraded all my computers to Vista or Windows
        7..... to make sure that stupid problems like
        this do not happen.
        Lerianis
        Reply Vote

    • It's all about copy protection not ease of use.

      Well the real purpose of the registry and all the scattered entries made when you install a program are just to stop us from easily copying a program. I remember the day of dos when all you had to do to install a program was to make a directory and copy the files to it and you had a running program. Microsoft felt they had to stop that so they invented the "registry". One of the first and most likely the worst DRM methods ever created. And all of those little pieces that remain behind are the fingerprints needed to know if you've ever had a program installed on your computer. By failing to remove all of the little tail tale files, entries, and such a program makes it's almost impossible to remove a program so that Microsoft won't know that you've had it on your computer. Just one more way to fight software piracy in their minds.
      frankinks
      Reply Vote

  • As long as IE6 dies I am happy. nt

    nt
    T1Oracle
    Reply Vote

  • It is about time for IE6 to die a deserved death

    There is no reason for ANYONE to still be using Windows
    ME or less, the only operating systems where IE6 is the
    highest IE available.

    Just move on people, get a cheap ass, 100 dollar
    computer, and move on!
    Lerianis
    Reply Vote

    • I think the problem is more likely the corporate desktops.

      I have definitely heard of one large company that is still using IE6 internally. However much we may wish it wouldn't.

      May IE6 be buried in a very large, deep grave - and preferably one with a dancefloor on top too.
      Zogg
      Reply Vote

      • At Work

        Yeah, some corporate desktops still run Windows 2000. The IE on those cannot be upgraded to anything higher than IE6. I tried.
        Tagamasid
        Reply Vote

        • Sure they can.

          Firefox!
          914four
          Reply Vote

      • And some schools also

        My school still uses Windows 2000 Pro since we can't afford new hardware that would be needed for XP or above (we are still using donated PII & a few PIII machines). Microsoft screwed users of Windows 2000 by locking out IE7 for 2000. So these users are stuck with IE6, which I hate, and can't upgrade. Actually, the computers also have Firefox 3.0x installed and I highly encourage the teachers and students to use this over IE6.
        mystic100
        Reply Vote

  • RE: IE8 lock-in warning for XP SP3 users

    It sucks
    texasstarcc@...
    Reply Vote

  • RE: IE8 lock-in warning for XP SP3 users

    Hey: what's wrong with Windows 3.11?
    inkwell
    Reply Vote

  • IE 6 interface was the best IE7 & 8 is crap

    Why can Microsoft steal Firefox looks? I think IE 7 and 8 looks too confusing.

    They need a better interface.
    Randalllind
    Reply Vote

    • Does the word "patent" ring a bell.

      Well with the patents that our stupid patent office gave FireFox you can't use anything even close to their interface or be found to have violated their patent. It's stupid what they will give a patent on anymore. Apples iPhone just got a patent on the touch screen interface they use. So it's going to be hard to find any way to use a touch screen on a mobile phone and not be in violation. Come on patents for obvious things are more than just silly they stop innovation. So address your question to the patent office they are where the problem lies.
      frankinks
      Reply Vote
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