Win XP SP3 cannot uninstall IE8

Microsoft issued a warning yesterday that Windows XP SP3 users may not be able to uninstall IE8 or uninstall SP3 patch package under certain circumstances.

Microsoft issued a similar warning in May this year, when the company is launching Windows XP SP3. At the time, Microsoft said that users would not be able to downgrade from IE7 browser to the old version of IE6 without uninstalling the new patch.

On the official blog of IE, Microsoft's project director, Jane Maliouta, explained the new situation in detail. Those who have installed IE8 Beta1 before upgrading XPSP3, if they upgrade IE8 to Beta2, they cannot uninstall the above patch.

A warning prompt will prompt the user. "If you choose to continue with the installation, Windows XP SP3 and IE8 Beta2 will become non-uninstallable programs." Mariott said. "This does not affect the future upgrade of IE8, but users will not be able to uninstall them."

She suggested that users should uninstall XP SP3 first, then uninstall IE8 Beta1; then reinstall XP SP3, then install IE8 Beta2.

It is not known how many users will be affected by this. Although users running XP and IE8 Beta 1 can manually download and install the SP3 patch from the Microsoft website, due to Microsoft's setting of the Windows Update service, it is unable to provide SP3 upgrades to the operating system with IE8 Beta 1. Users of Windows XP who have already installed IE8 Beta1 can upgrade to Beta2 via Windows Update. Mariott said. "The prompt to install IE8 Beta2 will appear in the taskbar."

And Vista users cannot see IE8 Beta2 in the automatic update. Because the updater could not find Beta1 and uninstalled them automatically. Users must manually uninstall Beta1.

At the same time, Microsoft also gave a list of programs known to be compatible with IE8 Beta2.

Ironically, one of the nine programs that are not compatible with the new IE8 is Microsoft Visual Studio. Net 7. Microsoft said, "There is no corresponding solution for the time being." Another incompatible program is Microsoft's own Windows Live Mail. Microsoft warned, "If you install Internet Explorer Beta2, Live Mail may crash when you create or reply to a message."