Opinion – Ok, I get it: Beta software isn’t software that should be run on computers you rely on every day. Betas are merely previews of products we can use to get a glimpse of the future and should be treated with care as bugs and hiccups are almost certainly part of the deal. Microsoft’s latest IE8 Beta surely has bugs as well, but there is one surprise that is a bit beyond my comfort level: Some users may actually not be able to uninstall this beta anymore.

Microsoft and beta software is a story all by itself. In fact, Microsoft treats beta software very differently than most software companies do. While betas are typically developer-only packages elsewhere, Microsoft betas are a fixed and important part of the software release and marketing process that began with Windows 95 and IE4: Microsoft gave away thousands of Windows 95 Betas in prize drawings back in 1994 and the actual IE4 launch was initiated with the IE4 beta – I still have my beta T-shirt given out at a launch party back then.

IE8 continues that tradition. It is only the second beta, but Microsoft’s IE8 pages treat the software like a final release. Yes, it is still called beta, but Microsoft has set up a fully-fledged product page with videos and flashy product demonstrations. Microsoft tells visitors on its site to “Get Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2, the latest version of Microsoft's free web browser.”The download buttons for the “latest browser” clearly point to this beta 2, while “older versions” are mentioned at the very bottom of the page. There is not a single warning that this software may have bugs and should be treated carefully. If you are new to this game, you surely have the impression that this is a version close to the final (it actually is) and that this is the IE you should download.

With that in mind, especially one bug that was pointed out this morning by Gregg Keizer at Computerworld, is a bit strong in my mind.

Users of Windows XP SP3 who simply install IE8 Beta 2 may actually find the browser being locked into their system without any chance to remove the browser without a full reinstallation of the operation system. According to a Microsoft IEBlog post, this scenario will be in place if you installed Windows XP SP3 after installing IE8 Beta 1 and you now choose to install IE8 Beta 2 on top of Beta 1 - and ignore a window with a warning. Microsoft said that you will be able to install Internet Explorer 8 Beta2, but once installed, you will not be able to uninstall either IE8 or Windows XP SP3 later.

“If you chose to continue, Windows XP SP3 and IE8 Beta2 will become permanent. You will still be able to upgrade to later IE8 builds as they become available, but you won’t be able to uninstall them,” program manager Jane Maliouta wrote in her blog post.

So, if you are using XP SP3 you may want to follow Maliouta’s advice. But I believe it wouldn’t hurt either if Microsoft published such issues on its IE8 product page and not just in a blog, which not everyone will read. In the end, it is a beta and it should be treated this way - by users and Microsoft.  

local dork

Aug 28, 2008 12:52     

This is actually an issue with IE7, it just looks like IE8 just warns you about it.
Me report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

More useless drivel

Aug 28, 2008 13:19     

I used to rely on THG for useful up to date info on the latest hardware and software info. Now I have a hard time finding video charts that are less than 6 months old when new chipsets are rolling out the door faster than I can keep track of. Instead I get some journalist that is spouting off because he ignored the warning that MS blatantly popped up and now can't uninstall BETA software. What's even more sad is that I see more and more posts like this one but the format keeps getting worse. Can anyone recommend a good hardware info site that actually still reviews and compares hardware?

smoothdog report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +7

Ignore window with warning

Aug 28, 2008 13:26     

And just what does that "window with warning" say? Something like "There's a previous beta of IE8 on your system. If you continue to install this version of IE8, you won't be able to remove it, ever."? Warnings are for wimps!
Bob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

So it gave you a warning, and if you were stupid enough to ignore it it is your own problem.

Aug 28, 2008 13:54     

Some n00bs just kill this wed site with such a stupid and useless articles.
beta report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

that's what you get

Aug 28, 2008 13:54     

Get firefox and forget ie ;~)
SoWhat report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Well DUH!

Aug 28, 2008 14:21     

Never install Beta software on a production machine. That is rule one in IT. Is Tom's no longer in IT any more? Only install Beta software on a Beta machine.
Narg report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Well...

Aug 28, 2008 14:22     

That sucks... but at least MS warns you about it.. That company with the fruit and stuff would sneak it in, without warning, as a required update with a popular music player then set itself to the default browser and not allow you to uninstall... Consumer be This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it *steps into flamesuit*
-- report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +6

Confused

Aug 28, 2008 14:23     

Is the author of the article mad because Microsoft correctly labled this software as 'BETA'? And this Beta has bugs? The whole XP SP3 and IE8 uninstall issue is interesting. I'm guessing there will be a hotfix coming down the line for that. I do have to say I haven't run into an issue with IE8 Beta 2.
Headward report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Uh... a beta is a beta is a beta is a beta is a beta is a beta is a beta is a beta is a beta is a beta

Aug 28, 2008 15:34     

I don't see what the problem is... there is even a warning for crying out loud!!!! If someone wants to permanently install something on their machine so be it. I personally do no consider any software uninstallable... your PC is NEVER the same after you put somethin new on it, especially software that says BETA. And who uninstalls service packs anyhow? Certainly not the casual user you think is being misled by the marketing of the Beta 2 product. I remember IE 2.0 that completely hosed my machine and forced me to reinstall windows... and I didn't even get a warning. I think you are off the mark here Wolfgang... maybe the baby is keeping you up too late at night??? =)

RockHop report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Confused as well

Aug 28, 2008 16:20     

Not only I am confused by the apparent shock that a Beta has flaws, I am also confused as to why there is a "SURPRISE" for XP SP3 users...... It gives you a warning Window, and the option to press the cancel button......... where's the surprise? It sounds like the surprise is only for idiots who click through warning windows without reading them. This article made no sense.
Sichas Ruin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

not bug..it's a warning.

Aug 28, 2008 16:23     

first of all, if you have keep your patches up to date, you are suppose to have installed XP sp3 ...before you install the IE8. or else, it will give you a warning, so that you can uninsatall the IE8 beta, install the SP3 first...then the IE8 again. this is not a bug. it's just that sp3 has to be install before IE8. simple as that. if you are a "retard" like that in tropic thunder then you deserve to be stuck in IE8 beta... but even that..you can overwrite the beta with the regular ie8 later...just not back to ie7... why you still need IE7? either go IE8 or firefox.

yo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

This is a good thing

Aug 28, 2008 16:39     

I have been using beta 1 since it came out and havent had a single problem with it, sure there are some minor bugs and glitches, but nothing that I have ever noticed or not been able to quickly render a solution too. It seems to me that forcing people to upgrade to a newer, better, fully functional product that has just been given more inovative features and has plans (final release) to add more features for ease of use is probably not a bad idea. This should also help dredge older browsers out of operation and accelerate the demise of backwards compatability.

TJ report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

What was wrong with IE6? I'm using it....

Aug 28, 2008 19:14     

What was wrong with IE6? I'm using it.
Rich report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

@rich , what is wrong?

Aug 28, 2008 22:21     

yea...what is wrong? well, you can use a netscape for all we care. it has new feature, tab browsing like in ie 7 so that you don't have to open up 10 windows and suck up all the resources etc.. what is wrong... sigh... yea...go use your dos 6.0 on a x386.
yo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2

Microsoft can't write an uninstaller?

Aug 28, 2008 22:24     

Microsoft did the same thing with their latest Media Center work. Install only, no uninstall options. This needs to stop! The biggest software vendor on the planet does not know how to write an uninstaller is too much to believe.
Skeptic report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2

It's Beta

Aug 28, 2008 22:24     

His article was great until he complained about it in the last paragraph. Of course I understand what "BETA" means and will not bitch about it, or its web page. The word beta on the page is the big clue and enough. It didn't take much to find this page at Microsoft about its issues and I am going to install it right now on a XP SP3 machine to check it out, regardless of the many issues pointed out here and they know about. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949787 I have my beloved Opera...I'm not worried. Quasar

Quasar report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

@smoothdog

Aug 29, 2008 00:47     

Umm, then you should try heading over to THG - this is TGDaily, which is mostly news and articles...
Hank report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Not my biggest worry...

Aug 29, 2008 06:42     

I would worry more about remote exploits, which in classic MS tradition it will loaded with them. I saw a friend get kernel access on IE8b2 yesterday. Of course it won't be until SP1 that they fix those. I would never recommend to anyone to use an IE beta in anything other than a VM for testing purposes.
Steve report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

What?

Aug 29, 2008 10:29     

This is a known "issue" with IE7 as well, as someone already pointed out. If you're really bothered about it there is a registry fix you can do to uninstall it and get back IE6 for those of you who find this to be a big issue. Why is this "news?"
Alex report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Micro$oft & Betas

Aug 29, 2008 17:09     

"Microsoft treats beta software very differently than most software companies do." They also treat consumers like testers. : P
fanboy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -3