[Crosspost to Win 64-bit General newsgroup]
> By default, IE6 or IE7 will be installed after I finish re-installing my
> system.
By default, IE6 will be installed (unless IE7 was OEM-preinstalled).
> I am going to immediately get all the windows updates, which will
> install IE8 on my system.
My personal recommendations include:
=> Install IE8 manually, not via Windows Update/Automatic Updates!! =>
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d044402c-84ce-472e-b3ac-9531f4feef47
[1]
Save the installer to your desktop, do not Run it. When you're prepared to
install IE8, double-click on the saved file.
=> Uninstall all third-party toolbars (e.g., Google; Yahoo; Windows Live)
and third-party Windows Themes before installing IE8.
=> Close all open applications (i.e., anything with a taskbar icon) before
installing or uninstalling IE8.
=> I would strongly recommend disabling your anti-virus application and any
anti-spyware application's "system protections" (other than Defender's)
before installing (or uninstalling) an IE upgrade. If you're running a
third-party firewall, I would recommend disabling it and then enabling the
Windows Firewall before installing (or uninstalling) an IE upgrade.
=> Create a Restore Point manually before installing IE8. [Do NOT use
System Restore to remove/uninstall IE8; instead, see
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957700. Then use the Restore Point prior to
reinstalling IE8 per these recommendations. Norton users will need to see
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/symantecdoc1.html.]
Reboot twice after installing or uninstalling IE8, then go to
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com | Select CUSTOM and scan | Install any
Critical Security Updates offered (i.e., KB978207). If a Root Certificates
update is listed in the Optional Updates category, install it to take full
advantage of IE's enhanced security.
> Does the windows update install both the x32
> (Program Files x86 directory) and x64 (Program Files directory) version
> of
> IE8?
If you install IE8 via WU or use the correct installer when installing
manually, yes.
> Also, I was interested in any suggestions and opinions on anti-virus
> software to use?
Microsoft Security Essentials (free)
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx
===============
[1] NB: Any Norton or McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the
computer when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows
is reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial AND download/run the
appropriate removal tool BEFORE installing any updates, Windows Service
Packs or IE upgrades AND BEFORE installing your new anti-virus application
(which will require WinXP x64 SP2 to be installed).
Norton Removal Tool
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe
McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool
http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
Dwayne wrote:
> I'm about to do a clean install of my system (Dell Precision T5400 64-bit
> system with 2 300GB drives setup in a RAID 1 mirror and 8GB of memory). I
> will running XP Pro x64 Edition with Service Pack 2.
>
> By default, IE6 or IE7 will be installed after I finish re-installing my
> system. I am going to immediately get all the windows updates, which will
> install IE8 on my system. Does the windows update install both the x32
> (Program Files x86 directory) and x64 (Program Files directory) version
> of
> IE8? If that is correct, then I can just create a shortcut to IE8 in the
> Program Files x86 directory which would be the x32 version. I know flash
> doesn't work on the x64 version, so I want to correctly get the x32
> version
> of IE8 on my system and use that browser.
>
> Also, I was interested in any suggestions and opinions on anti-virus
> software to use? I've have used McAfee and Norton in the past, but had
> bad
> luck with those programs...i.e. they both were resource hogs.
>
> Thanks.