STOP the IE7 Get it now Offer

In ten years Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) web browser market share has dropped from 92% to 82%. (CNET)


Could it be from tactics like the following?

A few unlucky souls who did not upgrade from IE6 to IE7 are plagued with an IE7 “Get it now” Home page or browser Hijack. While this in no way impacts IE’s ability to navigate the web I feel it necessary to point out this underhanded attempt at forcing the move IE7.

There may be a very good reason to move however the choice in tactics is a major annoyance. Then they require you to validate your version of windows to get IE7 which is a further annoyance.

An Alternative is Firefox you could wash your hands of IE forever.

Provided you do not WANT to get it now then the following will STOP the IE7 Get it now Offer.
The fix:
This should stop the offer alone however there are a few other tweaks to try if it does not.

A registry tweak, use at your own risk.

In windows you can use Regedit by clicking Start, Run and then type Regedit.
This will set the First Home Page for IE. This is the page that loads when you first start IE. This not to be confused with the Home button in IE. The home button should follow whichever Homepage you have set in IE's Internet Options. So in effect you could have two home pages. One which shows when you start IE and one which shows when you click Home. At this point it would be a good idea to print this portion and close all open windows as you should re-boot to ensure the new settings take. Also keep in mind Software that protects changes to the registry should be disabled, like Adaware Adwatch and Spybots Search & Destroy Teatimer. Remember to re-enable any software you disabled when you are finished.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft \Internet Explorer\Main]
"First Home Page"="http://www.google.com/"

You will need to use the Folder Icons in the left hand window and expand eache folder icon until you find the "Main" folder and left click it. My own PC lacked this value.

If the String Value "First Home Page" does not exist you will have to ensure you have left clicked "Main" in the left hand side of the Registry Editor. Once this is done re-verify "First Home Page" is not present in the right hand side of the window. If "First Home Page" is not present then Rt click the right hand side of the window and then select New/String Value. This will insert a new value ready to be named, so name it "First Home Page" without the Quotes. Double click your new entry "First Home Page" and enter a new value.

As above "http://www.google.com/" would be the First homepage URL you wish to use.
Use the above at your own risk; I am not responsible if you screw up your registry. I can say though that this worked for a computer I had to Stop the IE7 Get it Now Offer on. The First Home Page setting works in IE6 as well as IE7.

 

The folowing picture is what it should look like when you are finished:

STOP the IE7 Get it now Offer 

Note: If you wish to change your first home page then you will need to re-edit the above registry setting.

The other tweaks:

  1. In IE goto Tools/Internet Options/Advanced/
    Uncheck "Automatically check for Internet Explorer Updates"
    Click Apply and then OK

  1. At http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com Select CUSTOM and scan
    Uncheck IE7
    Then Hide it.

Of course one could simply Install IE7 however that would be like Giving in to the "Man"...


 
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To make comments or get more help go here: STOP the IE7 Get it now Offer; IE6 Home Page Hijack.