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57 comments

Microsoft Finally Pushing IE6 Users to Upgrade

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US

Out with the old, in with the new!

You may be well beyond Internet Explorer 6. You're likely to have upgraded to 7, then now 8, or maybe moved onto an alternative browser such as Chrome, Safari or Firefox – but a surprising 23.3 percent hasn't yet.

The 23.3 percent usage of Internet Explorer 6 makes it still the most widely used internet browser. IE7 trails at 18.2 percent and IE8 at 18.1 percent.

While Microsoft is likely happy that internet users are sticking with Microsoft software, it isn't so pleased that the biggest chunk is still running browser technology from eight years ago.

Given the Internet Explorer is a free product, the motive for Microsoft in urging users to get caught up with the times is more to do with security and the advancement of the web. Browsers developed after IE6 are better equipped to handle modern websites and multimedia – as well as better adherence to web standards.

Microsoft is now running a campaign from now through June 2010 that'll urge users to upgrade.

"What we're doing with the outreach is help users understand how to protect themselves against social engineering threats that exist and to help people understand how Internet Explorer 8 puts people in control of their own privacy online," said Ryan Servatius, senior product manager for Internet Explorer, according to CNet.

Part of the reason why IE6 still has such a foothold is because it shipped with Windows XP, which is also the most widely used version of Windows today. Those moving to Windows 7 will naturally also move to IE8. The real challenge ahead for Microsoft will be to convince corporate users to upgrade – hopefully by way of a completely OS overhaul.

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Top Comments
  • 26
    adaman2576 , December 2, 2009 1:56 AM
    I'm gonna send this article to our IT guy right now. I've been nagging him to let us upgrade because explorer 6.0 does not allow tabbed browsing. Having multiple windows open everywhere on a little work provided 15" CRT drives me crazy. I don't think that's asking too much.
  • 17
    nekoangel , December 2, 2009 2:03 AM
    On the corporate side, many corporations will not upgrade due to them not wanting to update their own websites and software that may not be compatible with newer browsers. Same reason goes for how many are using windows xp.
Other Comments
  • 1
    touchdowntexas13 , December 2, 2009 1:41 AM
    productivity can be greatly increased with better browsers...

    i guess people just don't feel like messing with other browsers.
  • 0
    JohnnyLucky , December 2, 2009 1:51 AM
    I'm not so sure about the privacy being better.
  • 7
    sunflier , December 2, 2009 1:52 AM
    Quote:
    to do with security and the advancement of the web.

    Sometimes those security/advancements can be a real pain in the "browser".
  • 26
    adaman2576 , December 2, 2009 1:56 AM
    I'm gonna send this article to our IT guy right now. I've been nagging him to let us upgrade because explorer 6.0 does not allow tabbed browsing. Having multiple windows open everywhere on a little work provided 15" CRT drives me crazy. I don't think that's asking too much.
  • 17
    nekoangel , December 2, 2009 2:03 AM
    On the corporate side, many corporations will not upgrade due to them not wanting to update their own websites and software that may not be compatible with newer browsers. Same reason goes for how many are using windows xp.
  • -9
    Nightsilver , December 2, 2009 2:06 AM
    People still use IE?
  • 4
    Ciuy , December 2, 2009 2:21 AM
    touchdowntexas13..i guess people just don't feel like messing with other browsers.

    suckers
  • 3
    kinless , December 2, 2009 2:24 AM
    This article is using outdated information from Net Applications. IE6 usage has dropped closer to 22% now, and IE8 marketshare has surpassed IE7.

    http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=3

    These bloggers/publishers should know by now that there's new stats on the first of every month, so they might want to try timing these articles as such.
  • 4
    tester24 , December 2, 2009 2:26 AM
    I like IE because when I click on the icon it loads immediatly where firefox I have to wait. Toss up between the two but I do have to say that after using IE7 or 8 you can't go back to 6... just no logical reason to.
  • 6
    dark_lord69 , December 2, 2009 2:28 AM
    touchdowntexas13productivity can be greatly increased with better browsers...i guess people just don't feel like messing with other browsers.


    Personally... I just don't want any more cr4p installed.
    I believe a PC should run with very few extra apps and un-needed cr4p.
  • 3
    NapoleonDK , December 2, 2009 2:35 AM
    I'm forced to use in active-x based web editor (from inside the browser) to configure or internal building management system. My new work laptop shipped with W7 and IE8, I LOVED IT! Sadly it was not compatible with various softwares used in-house. I'm now stuck with XP and IE6 just for compatibility. (As are many in the workplace.) I use W7 and Chrome at home though! :) 
  • -6
    zak_mckraken , December 2, 2009 2:53 AM
    My governement still uses IE6. Luckily for me, there is always Firefox Portable! At least, it doesn't crash when I visit this site.
  • 2
    maydaynomore , December 2, 2009 3:05 AM
    Haha I'm on IE6 right now (at work). I believe that most of those IE6 users are corporations. Maybe thats why I haven't been able to access LogicBuy.
  • 0
    fuser , December 2, 2009 3:21 AM
    Microsoft started pushing the upgrade from IE6 to IE8 a while ago. Back in June of this year they started offering to donate food to needy children for every upgrade.

    http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2009/jun09/06-10BetterBrowserPR.mspx
  • 2
    JonathanDeane , December 2, 2009 3:24 AM
    maydaynomoreHaha I'm on IE6 right now (at work). I believe that most of those IE6 users are corporations. Maybe thats why I haven't been able to access LogicBuy.


    Its true that mostly companies would be the ones not updating. I seem to remember something about internal company web pages not being compatible with other browsers or newer versions of IE. So unless IE 7 or is it 8 now? are compatible I can see some companies still sticking with 6(been a while)

    I recommend people use Opera then Firefox then IE as a last resort on pages that will not load on Firefox/Opera. Why do I recommend Opera over Firefox? I just like it better :)  no real reason other then that. (I have heard its slightly more secure but both seem pretty secure to me especially when compared to IE lol)

    I also recommend having all 3 browsers installed, some pages just look or work better in one or another then the others.
  • 1
    ravewulf , December 2, 2009 3:31 AM
    *kicks University IT department* Get a move on!

    Srsly should have happened years ago.
  • 1
    darkknight22 , December 2, 2009 3:41 AM
    as head of IT we have been at IE 8 for a while now. it only made sense because otherwise people would be bitching to switch to firefox.

    the main reason that it's more of a pain and many people probably don't switch is that Microsoft still bundles IE 6 on all of there latest and greatest versions available to download on Technet. Not only that but they also exclude a TON of patches that I have to redownload for every new image I make.

    Why they still bundle IE 6 on those straight from Microsoft images is still beyond me......
  • 6
    bison88 , December 2, 2009 3:56 AM
    I thought these statistics were a joke, until I joined college and found IT professionals here are still running IE6. No tabs! NO TABS! I thought this was just another fantasy internet article until it hit me this Fall Quarter. The most advanced and recognized institutions which breed our global geniuses are still using stone age cyber software.

    :facepalm:
  • 0
    ravewulf , December 2, 2009 4:25 AM
    bison88I thought these statistics were a joke, until I joined college and found IT professionals here are still running IE6. No tabs! NO TABS! I thought this was just another fantasy internet article until it hit me this Fall Quarter. The most advanced and recognized institutions which breed our global geniuses are still using stone age cyber software.

    I'm in the same situation. Honestly it's pathetic. The IT department here is basically filled with Computer Science Department rejects from the late 90's/early 2000's. *I* know more than they do about current tech. It's just sad
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