Microsoft Releases Windows XP Service Pack 3 But Locks IE7 Uninstall
Microsoft has released Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. Service Pack 3 includes multiple Hotfixes and security updates and is available through Automatic Updates and Windows Update. Users should note that Windows XP SP3 does not include Internet Explorer 7, however it does include updates to both IE 6 and IE 7, and will update whichever version is currently installed.
Users updating to Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) won’t be able to downgrade from Internet Explorer 7 to the older IE6 without uninstalling the service pack. The warning first appeared in a blog written by the Internet Explorer development team. If you choose to install XP SP3, Internet Explorer 7 will remain on your system after the install is complete. Your preferences will be retained. However, you will no longer be able to uninstall IE7. If you go to Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, the Remove option will be grayed out.
Users who want to retain the ability to downgrade from IE7 to IE6 should uninstall the former before upgrading to XP SP3. Once Windows XP has been updated to SP3, users can then install IE7. That process allows for reverting to IE6 in the future. If Windows XP SP3 has already been installed, the only way to return to IE6 is to first uninstall the service pack. At that point, IE6 can be restored on a PC that’s been updated to IE7.
Users can review the release notes for Service Pack 3 for Windows XP at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929 and apply any necessary updates.
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October 1st, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I use automatic update procedures from MS WinXP. Therefore, I reached a serious problem running numerious interactive internet locations. By updating to System Pack 3 while already running Explorer 7 for internet, gmail, facebook, yahoo and others continually have security certificate problems on my PC. Evaen after forcing access to a requested website, there is now guarantee that the system stops the connection. I entend to downgrade to SP2, if possible, and stop auto updates.