Is IE11 actually important on Win7 if you don't use IE?

Angilion

Angilion

Angilion

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As title, really. I use Firefox, but IE is supposedly an integral part of Windows so I'm wondering if there are any non-browser reasons for installing IE11. It's flagged as an important update, but is that "It's important for Windows 7" or "It's important if you use IE" ?

EDIT: I've blocked it for now with the block tool from MS, so that stops Windows update telling me about it, but I'm curious as to whether it matters either way.
 
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It's a potential security risk having potentially vulnerable software on your PC even if it's dormant. But then again IE11 could have a hole which IE10 didn't so does it really matter? No.
 
Anyone experiencing this since updating to IE11?

dodgyness.png
 
Installed IE11 on W7 through Windows Updates, restarted as requested and got a black screen after the "Welcome" screen. After a heart attack, I rebooted (Task Manager > Run > CMD > shutdown /r /t 0) and Windows loaded as though nothing ever happened.
 
It's a potential security risk to have an old version of IE on your computer, even if you use Firefox or another browser, being an integral part of Windows and all.

I only roll out the newest IE once it becomes a Critical Update, which I see IE11 is now. There's no noticeable difference I can see between IE10 or 11 (got IE11 already on 8.1 on my laptop) so you may as well install it and continue using Firefox.

One question I have for some of those Firefox lovers, why do you all insist on leaving an older, potentially less secure version of IE on your computer, when you aren't even using the thing? I can understand sticking with an older version if you have a use for it which doesn't work in the newer versions, (such as some management tools) but seriously, seems like an odd dig at Microsoft to me.

PorkPieCat said:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/w...t-explorer-off

Just turn off IE.
Click to expand...

Well that's all well and good but it doesn't remove IE, so the potential security risks are still there.
 
Some other programs link to IE, such as Windows Live Mail (that's the only one I am aware of) If you remove IE, I don't know the effect this will have on WLM.
 
Can't tell if... I worry too little... Or you all worry too much...

I'm inclined to think it is the latter seen as if you are worried about being watched you are being watched anyway, and if you are worried about having your bank details or identity stolen there are plenty of other ways people can do that.
 
acme15 said:
Can't tell if... I worry too little... Or you all worry too much...

I'm inclined to think it is the latter seen as if you are worried about being watched you are being watched anyway, and if you are worried about having your bank details or identity stolen there are plenty of other ways people can do that.
Click to expand...

Makes much more sense to limit the ways they can possibly do this though surely? That's what common sense would tell me.
 
linktoinsanity said:
Makes much more sense to limit the ways they can possibly do this though surely? That's what common sense would tell me.
Click to expand...

What security flaws does IE11 have that Chrome/Firefox/Safari/Skype/Steam/Origin and whatever other programs you have don't?

I understand why people want to run a tight ship, but it seems a bit like plugging one of 1000 holes in the hull of a sinking ship. :p
 
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As long as you keep IE to a supported version and ensure any updates are applied you'll be fine. Having an unsupported IE (in other words MS discontinue patches) is bad, likewise not applying patches which are released is a daft idea.

I use IE on Windows 8 about once a month, but it's always kept up to date.
 
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