Internet Explorer 7 will come looking for you

ATTENTION Windows XP users! Big changes are coming to your computer, and if you're not paying attention, the biggest one may come whether you want it or not.

Sometime in the next few days, Microsoft will make the latest version of its Web browser, Internet Explorer 7, available online. Then, next Tuesday, the company will post to the Web its newest music/video player, Windows Media Player 11.

You'll be able to download Internet Explorer 7 at www.microsoft.com/ie and Media Player at www.microsoft.com/mediaplayer. Test versions are already available at both sites.

But even if you don't grab IE7, it's going to come to you.

Although Microsoft has not yet announced the date, sometime in early November IE7 will be pushed out to Windows XP users with Service Pack 2 installed via Windows Update. It may come in the regular batch of fixes on the second Tuesday of the month — known affectionately among the geekerati as Patch Tuesday — or as early as Nov. 1.

That means one day you will sit down at your computer and be presented with a choice: should you install IE7, or not?

I strongly recommend you do. In fact, I'd say most users should download it before it's presented through Windows Update. I reviewed an IE7 preview release earlier this year (see www.chron.com/ie7preview) and have been using subsequent versions ever since, and I love it. Its redesigned interface — including a superior use of tabs over that of the rival Firefox browser — and beefed-up security features make it a must-have if you use Internet Explorer 6 as your primary browser.

The only reasons I can see for not installing IE7 is if you use Web-based software that doesn't work in it, or if you regularly visit a site whose features are broken by it. Both of those scenarios should be rare.

However, if you want to hold off, you'll be able to do so. When IE7 arrives, you'll be notified that Windows Update has a high-priority item it wants to install. When you approve, you'll be presented with a screen that indicates you're about to install an update to Internet Explorer. This is not simply a patch — don't say yes unless you're ready to use a radically redesigned version of Internet Explorer.

No second notification

If you do say yes, the process will begin. If you say no, you won't get another automatic notification. However, you can always manually download it if you change your mind.

For more details on how IE7 will be delivered through Windows Update, visit www.microsoft.com/technet/updatemanagement/
windowsupdate/ie7announcement.mspx. That site also contains information about how businesses can block IE7's automated deployment across corporate networks.

But those Windows XP users who do want IE7 should prepare for it. Being ready will help make the transition go smoother.

•If you have not yet done so, install Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. You can't use IE7 without it, and Microsoft's support for Service Pack 1 ended Oct. 10. That means the company is no longer issuing security-related fixes for those users who don't have SP2 installed. For that reason alone, even if you don't want IE7 right away, you should install SP2.
•Make sure your computer is virus- and spyware-free and running as smoothly as possible. Many operating system upgrades fail because of problems that were already present, so get your PC in shape before making this major change.
• Back up your critical data, including your IE Favorites. While IE7 itself shouldn't do anything that could cause data loss, see the item immediately above this one. If a virus or spyware causes a bigger problem, you will be glad to backed things up.
•In most cases, IE7 will coexist just fine with any toolbars or add-ins you have. However, just to be safe, it's a good idea to uninstall such additions, download the latest versions after IE7 is in place and then reinstall them.
•Immediately before installing IE7, turn off your antivirus and antispyware software — in fact, you'll be prompted to do so as part of the installation process. That's because those kinds of software look for and may try to prevent the kind of changes that IE7 will make to your system — only this time, they're desirable. Remember
to re-enable the programs
after the installation is complete.
If you have already installed one of the test versions of IE7, you don't need to uninstall it first. The installer program for the finished version will remove any older code for you.

You can roll back

Those who install IE7 and decide they don't want to stick with it can roll back to IE6. Go to the Windows XP Control Panel and launch the Add/Remove Programs module. At the top of that window, make sure the "Show updates" box is checked. You can then find IE7's listing among the removable programs.

But here's betting you won't do that, and that, if you give it time, you'll love it as much as I do.