We have a few Windows XP PCs at work, one of which I deliberately left running IE 7 in order to test some web stuff we do works OK in that version. I heard that Microsoft are pushing out the IE 8 update to people on older versions via the automatic updates and I'd like to stop that happening on this one PC. But how?

Up to now, IE8 has always appeared in the Optional Software section in Windows Update so it's easy to ignore, and I have the Automatic Updates option set to just notify me of updates so I can check what it's going to install. Noticed the other day that IE 8 has now moved from Optional Software to Critical Updates in the Windows Update site - is there any way to disable the IE 8 update from appearing altogether? I need one PC to run IE 7 for testing purposes, but I don't want to disable updates altogether. I'm sure it's easy, anyone care to enlighten me, please? Thanks

I don't know exactly, but is there any reason ietester is not suitable for you?

Hmm, never heard of ietester, is that an emulator?

* scrurries off to Google *

If ie8 is being rolled out as critical update now, then if the majority of users will be migrated automatically is there a need for you test in ie7?

aye. You've probably found it by now, it's great!

IE Tester does Explorer from 6 to 8 - and is pretty handy.

Just remember that a lot of restarted large organisations still require IE6, and won't be upgrading anytime soon because critical systems rely on it.

I, personally, don't care about these any more. If it works on E 6 that's by accident, not by design.

I remember being able to "ignore" updates in windows xp. This would hide the update and a message at the bottom would state that there was one hidden update. Is this not possible?

Yep, that's what I'm after but couldn't find it - is that in Windows Update (accessed via Internet Explorer) or somewhere in the Control Panel (Security or Automatic Updates). I know you can ignore individual updates on a Mac, but wasn't sure it's possible on Windows XP.

Good point about not testing on IE 6 or 7 anymore, but not sure my boss will agree!

Or, as one person I know suggested, add a 15% surcharge for obsolete browser compatibility testing!

My biggest client is a multinational on ie6, so any work I do for them has to work on it.

From some of the companies I've worked for that wouldn't surprise me at all. However it's a shame that pandering to them is necessary for your business.

Just move the machine to another group in your waudi server and don't authorise the updates for that group.

It will get to the point where Microsoft just won't be interested in supporting it at all, even for big multinationals.

MS will support it, but support contracts will get ever more expensive.