Microsoft: Forget about IE7, Download Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1

No, it is not a joke. It is instead a genuine recommendation from Microsoft. Simply forget about Internet Explorer 7 and download Internet Explorer 6.0 Service Pack 1 instead. The previous version of the Microsoft browser is alive and clicking and with an active download link. Just what users need.

As you can see from the screenshot included in this article, Microsoft has taken upon itself to recommend IE6. The Redmond Company's motivation is as follows: "About Download Recommendations - We recommend collections of downloads that might interest you based on what you have viewed in the Download Center."

Sounds simple enough, but just take a look at the page. It appeared after I downloaded Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Guidance. Now Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Guidance is intimately connected with Windows Vista, the name might clue you in on that one. And Vista comes with its own version of Internet Explorer 7 built in.

Yes, indeed, I can see how Microsoft, in this context, found it appropriate to recommend Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1. My guess is that, following the release of Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft will begin convincing Windows users to go back to Internet Explorer 5.

Now, I did mention that the download link is still active. Fortunately enough, the last time that it was updated was 9/21/2005. Almost two years later, I did download IE6 and attempted to install it on my copy of Windows Vista Business, ignoring the fact that version 6 of the browser is only supported on Windows 2000; Windows 98; Windows ME; Windows NT and Windows XP Service Pack 1.

Obviously, the installer detected Internet Explorer 7 and informed me that the deployment process will not continue. But hey... who am I not to follow a Microsoft recommendation...