Microsoft says users who failed to update Internet Explorer 11 in April will no longer be able to get security updates for the browser. At the same time Internet Explorer development is getting its own Microsoft channel, which should make updates easier and quicker to push out to users.
The security decision will largely strip Windows 7 users of their ability to ensure complete security on IE. The company is hoping to push Windows 7 users to update to Windows 8.1 in order to create a more unified Microsoft world whereby the bulk of Windows users will be using the most up-to-date operating system.
It follows Microsoft's recent push to get more users to migrate to Windows 8.1, when it announced that users must move to 8.1 or lose any and all patch privileges.
"This update applies only to computers that are running Internet Explorer 11 and that do have update 2919355 (for Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2) or update 2929437 (for Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1) installed," a June support document from Microsoft states.
"All future security and non-security updates for Internet Explorer 11 require you to have update 2919355 or update 2929437 installed in order to receive updates," it added.
Microsoft did give a three-month extension for the update deadline after customers cried foul and demanded more time to migrate their systems. The same extension reportedly has been given to companies currently running IE 11 on Windows 7 to make the move.
The new patch requirements for IE 11 do not affect the Windows 7 operating system, only the browser.
The move aims to continue to enhance Internet Explorer, especially after concerns over security issues were publicized earlier this year, and Microsoft is making every attempt to inform its users of the new moves.
"For individual, small business and organizational users, use the Windows automatic updating feature to install the fixes from Microsoft Update. To do this, see Get security updates automatically on the Microsoft Safety and Security Center website," Microsoft said in a statement.
But the moves continue to cause a bit of friction from Microsoft users, who say the company is attempting to force people to upgrade their systems even when they are not ready or have no need to do so. Some analysts have argued Microsoft is trying to increase revenue by pushing customers to get the most updated operating system on offer from Microsoft.
