How to find out which version of Internet Explorer is installed? 1

[grofaty]

Hi,
on using Windows XP SP3 I installed Internet Explorer 8 few mounths ago.

Today I have Windows Update window opened to install fixes, one of them was Internet Explorer 8 security update.

I have made print screen of Help | About window (see attached window) before and then compare it to the window after update and I see there are exactly the same numbers.

Is there any way I could figure out on which computer this update was installed and on which was not? So to get some version number, just like Firefox has 3.5.2 (fix 2) and 3.5.3 (fix 3).

How to find out which version of IE 8 is installed on my PC?
And how to compare if my install is the same as my friends one?
Regards

 

[kjv1611]

Since it's through Windows Update, can't you just find it in the Add/Remove Programs section, after checking the box that says "Show Updates"?

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[grofaty]

kjv1611, if I understand correctly Internet Explorer has a logic of update just like a Windows, so special fixes are installed on top of core browser. Fixes can also be uninstalled.

Just don't understand why this info is not available in Help | About. Is there any way/settings that special fixes are displayed in Help | About window?

 

[kjv1611]

Don't know if it's possible. I think they just didn't consider doing it that way, b/c it's surely possible for the developers themselves. There are ways to send in suggestions to MS. This'd be one worth sending in, I think. I personally MUCH prefer going to Help-About in any app to see what exact version/update/whatever it is.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[grofaty]

I just don't see any point if looking into Add/Remove if my program is opened and Help | About is just two clicks away.

I seem to be confused, that only Microsoft is using this approach, but all other software vendors just put some info in Help | About window.

 

[grofaty]

One more question: How can I know if all of the recommended special fixes are installed for Internet Explorer 8? You know with Firefox I know if I am using 3.5.3 I am using the latest and the safest program, but how does someone know the same for Internet Explorer?

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
since not all fixes, patches, etc change even the extended version number there are only a few ways to check on that:

Your Update History

Go to Windows Update have it look for new ones - none found, you are up to date.

Use a program like Belarc Advisor to inventory and check on update status:

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[grofaty]

Yes, I know I can go to Windows Update, but in our company there are 1000 employees and most of them do not have administrative rights on computer. So when they call by the phone it is difficult to check if he/she is using the latest version of programs.

Thanks for tips.

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
Does you company allow each PC to get updates? Where I worked we used a centralized system ( from Microsoft) and disallowed any updates except through that, so we always knew what was on our PCs.







To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[kjv1611]

As Turkbear mentioned, I'd be very surprised by any organization with 1000 PCs or more that would allow each machine to get their own updates.

The reasons are easy to come up with:
1. Some updates just are bad to start with. If you allow people in general to use automatic updates, they might end up downloading an update which compromises network security or crashes some of the systems.

2. If you have any internal custom programming, updates can sometimes break that programming. So, standardization across a corporation becomes a VERY important issue with this. For instance, where I work, we still use IE6.0 as our web browser, which I'm told has something to do with at least one or two of the custom in-house applications. Also, most machines are running Windows XP. I remember it seemed like it was going to take forever to get switched from Windows 2000 to XP back oh 5 years ago.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me