Microsoft releases IE update blocker for Windows 7

Microsoft has made available a tool that disables the automatic update of the built-in web browser in Windows 7, Internet Explorer.

The Internet Explorer 11 Blocker Toolkit is available as a registry file download from Microsoft and is aimed most at corporate customers needing to block browser upgrades.

While Microsoft encourages customers to upgrade their browsers to the latest version, the company said the Blocker Toolkit allows businesses to control when they're ready for the upgrade to Internet Explorer 11.

Administrators who have used the earlier versions of the Blocker Toolkit need to upgrade to the Internet Explorer 11 version to prevent Internet Explorer 10 from being installed on client machines, Microsoft program manager Jeff Pape said.

Users with the appropriate admin rights can still install IE11 manually, even with the Blocker Toolkit installed.

Organisations with Windows Server Update Services or System Centre Configuration Manager employed do not need to deploy the IE11 Blocker Kit, as these provide the ability to fully manage deployment of patches through Windows Update.

Internet Explorer 11 is bundled with Windows 8.1 and is currently in preview for the older Windows 7 operating system. The availabiity of the Blocker Toolkit indicates the new web browser may be released along with Windows 8.1 on October 18.