On October 4, 2007, Microsoft has made available for download an upgraded version of Internet Explorer 7. IE7 build 7.0.5730.13 is designed to integrate seamlessly into Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 64-bit Itanium Edition, Windows Server 2003 SP1 or Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Server 2003 IA64 and Windows 64 bit Client/Server. In this context, Windows Vista is ignored as Microsoft's latest operating system is already running IE7 build 7.0.6000.16512.

Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.13 brings to the table a minor tweak to the graphical user interface, namely the fact that the menu of the browser is now visible by default. On top of this modification, Microsoft has also dumped the Windows Genuine Advantage validation necessary for downloading and installing the browser, also revamping the IE7 online tour and how-tos, as well as the first run experience. But Microsoft is cooking more surprises with the updated version of IE7.

Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.13 will be delivered as a high-priority update via Microsoft's Automatic Update infrastructure, but also Windows Update and Microsoft Update. At this time, the Redmond company has failed to offer any details related to the procedure, but the update will ship to all Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 users. As the new version of IE7 is not designed for Windows Vista, the company's latest operating system will not receive the updated build of the browser.

Following the October 2006 launch of IE7 for Windows XP and Windows Vista, Microsoft debuted the distribution of the browser as a high-priority update through AU to all users of version 6 of Internet Explorer. In this regard, it is clear that Microsoft will yet again push IE 7.0.5730.13 to all users of Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 6 on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. At the time of this article, the Redmond company failed to officially confirm that users of both IE7 and IE6 on top of XP and Windows Server 2003 would be served the updated version of IE7. In addition, the company is also still quiet about a timetable for the release of IE7 on Automatic Updates.

However, Microsoft did provide an updated version of the Internet Explorer 7 Blocker Toolkit concomitantly with the delivery of Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.13. The toolkit is designed to disable the automatic delivery of IE7 as a high-priority update via Automatic Updates and the Windows Update and Microsoft Update.

"The Blocker Toolkit will prevent machines from receiving Internet Explorer 7 as a high-priority update via Automatic Updates and the "Express" install option on the Windows Update and Microsoft Update sites. The Blocker Toolkit will not expire. The Blocker Toolkit will not prevent users from manually installing Internet Explorer 7 as a Recommended update from the Windows Update or Microsoft Update sites, from the Microsoft Download Center, or from external media", reads a fragment of the toolkit's overview.

The Internet Explorer 7 Blocker Toolkit is available for download here.