ie6 being phased out by Microsoft?

Can anyone confirm whether this is true?

I heard that Microsoft was going to introduce an automatic update back in Feb to update any ie6 to ie7, and so unless you opt out of auto updates (most big corps I would think), most individual users should now be using ie7.

Unfortunately, numbers on my analytics still show 40% using ie6, so not sure what's happened.

Can someone please let me know if my hope was unfounded?

As much as I'd like that from a web designers POV (never have to cater for that BOS again) thats seems to me to be one hell of a risky thing to do, effectively removing someones software and replacing it. I don't think even MS would have the love spuds to do that.

edit: copied directly from IEblog:

"If you decide to install IE7, it will preserve your current toolbars, home page, search settings, and favorites and installing will not change your choice of default browser. You will also be able to roll back to IE6 at any point by using Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel. Finally, users who have AU turned off will not be notified."

It was not mandatory.

When I auto update fresh installs of XP SP2, IE7 is part of the second batch of updates.

As frinkky said, you do have the option to explicitly cancel IE7 but knowing most users, they'd click straight through and end up with it!

Ok, so any thoughts on when dropping ie6 is recommended? I've heard that generally you can drop support 8 years after a browser comes out (I believe ie6 was released in 2001?); or should you look at %age of users against cost; or just drop it when ie8 is released?

And won't we be much better off for it!

IE7 is way from perfect but it is a huge, huge improvement over IE sh!ts, sorry meant six !!

__________________
WelshStew Site Admin
If you think I've helped, click the "Thanks"
xtreme wales - extreme clothing
WebForumz - facebook | LinkedIn [/size]

hopefully while MS is constructing the new OS (set for release in 2010) will consider spending some serious time on IE and it's rendering engine.

But it's not too long 'til the new os, it's being pushed out after vista turned out to be a disaster (which it is).

I wish it was like normal people, where if they didn't pull there finger out they'd fall out of the game, but we all know that's not true.

More people need to understead the pro's of other readily available software on the market, wether it be web browsers, or os.

Dell now ships with an optional install of ubuntu (selected models only i think).

But i disliked MS, and since there campaign to create web expressions an industry standard... i just feel they're operating in there own bubble.

I think i've gone off topic a bit there =/

With standards-based design, you shouldn't need to "support" individual browsers. You should just follow the specs, and the browsers should all get it right.

And that's almost what actually happens. Different browsers are almost completely consistent in their interpretation of websites. We have standards to thank for this incredible achievement.

IE is the exception.

If you want your website to be successful, you must cater to the majority. IE6 still accounts for a large proportion of browser share.

When IE6 drops below about 5 - 10% share, I will stop giving it special treatment.