IE7 sucks, and it’s not even done installing yet!
October 19th, 2006
I’m installing IE7 now so that I can test this final release version against the sites I run and see what gets broken (and what finally, hopefully, works).
The download was speedy, but it’s been 10 minutes and I still don’t have IE7 running on this machine. Let’s take a quick tour of where IE7, which has the potential to be one of the most frequently downloaded upgrades in computer history, sucks during the install.
First, they stop you before you even get started to make sure that your machine has a Microsoft sanctioned version of XP on it. No mention if they support 2000 or 98 here, or if the installer will turn you in if they decide you’re not legit, which according to reports of Windows Genuine Advantage false positives, happens quite a bit.
Next, even though we’ve just downloaded new software from Microsoft, we’re prompted to update it. Let’s say yes to ensure that we’re up to date.
The first thing I notice during the update is the “ripped from a mac” reflection under the arrow.
It’s been a few minutes, and that bar is still running…
Okay, that’s done.. But wait!
Now we have to get the required updates. I didn’t have a choice on these, apparently.
Once the install finally completes, you’re prompted to reboot. If you decline to reboot now, you get a stern warning. After delaying the restart you get a popup telling you to restart as soon as possible.
As if that wasn’t redundant enough, the automatic update service knows a reboot is needed, and popped up 3 times while I was writing this article.
I can understand that IE is a large install with its tentacles deep into the OS, but seriously, compare this install experience to that of Firefox, and the open source offering just blows MS away here.
They may stop a bit of the bleeding, but I seriously doubt this release will win any converts back from mozilla-ville.
GlitchNYC is the personal blog of Eric Skiff, Community Evangelist for 
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October 19th, 2006 at 10:19 am
I think I’ll wait until browsershots.org gets an IE7 template.
October 30th, 2006 at 7:11 pm
I wish i never upgraded to IE7, SLLLOOOOOOWWWWWWWW is an understatment. average time from double click to no hourglass 4-5 min!!! same thing when closing. I hate it. back to my msn/verizon.w/google.
October 30th, 2006 at 7:20 pm
Have you tried Firefox yet? You’ll never go back
July 10th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Opera is the best browser.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:52 am
After you install the extenstions and add-ons to firefox it became so slow. As a matter of fact, IE7 is faster than firefox with its add-ons.
Yes IE took longer time to install, but did you notice how FF is so slow to open?
November 13th, 2007 at 11:08 am
How’s that new job at microsoft treating you, Andy? (j/k)
I’ve never experienced a slowdown in firefox after installing extensions and addons, and I use quite a few. I’d give it another look. Aside from that, the security and extensibility of firefox beat IE for me year and years ago, there’s no going back for me.