Microsoft has announced that the next version of Internet Explorer, IE7, will be available for Windows XP only. Windows 2000 users will not be able to use it. Two reasons given are the fact that Win2K is getting to the end of its life cycle (extended support through 2010) and several of the IE7 enhancements are dependent on technology built into WinXP but not Win2K.
It seems Microsoft is pouring fuel on the alternative browser fire to me. Why does the browser have to be so connected to the operating system? There are several alternative browsers including Firefox that are not dependent on the OS and do a great job. Is Microsoft saying you must use one of those if you want a better or secure browser for Win2K?
Over the years Microsoft has back stepped on many of these types of announcements. There are still a large number of Win2K users out there. This type of announcement can not only make them consider a browser alternative but possibly even an OS alternative. If IE6 needs a refresh, Win2K users should not be left out. Get the browser out of the OS!
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