IE7 Loses WGA Installation Requirement

Microsoft has released a new version of Internet Explorer 7 which can install without Windows Genuine Advantage validation.

Microsoft has released a new version of its Internet Explorer 7 Web browser that does not requireWindows Genuine Advantage validation to install. Previous versions of Internet Explorer 7 required a user’s machine pass a WGA test to ensure the installed version of Windows is “genuine,” with theresult that many users were installing workaround and hacks to Window’s registry and Internet Explorer itself in order to install the browser. These workarounds, in turn, exposed users to moresecurity threats and possible software compatibility issues.

The new version of Internet Explorer 7—dubbed the IE7 Installation and Availability Update—will fully install without a WGA check on Windows XP SP2, x64 Server, and Windows Server 2003 systems. With the update, Microsoft hopes to convert more users of its older operating systems from previous versions of IE to IE7, in part because IE7 is more standards-compliant, but also because it offers a wealth of user security tools which make for a safer Internet experience.

The new version of IE7 also includes a new overview for first time users, makes sure the menu bar is enabled by default, and includes new how-to’s covering features like tabbed browsing. Microsoft is also offering a new MSI installer for enterprises and larger organizations so they can tailer their Internet Explorer installations across fleets of corporate PCs.

The new version of Internet Explorer 7 is available via the MS Download Center and Automatic Update features.