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Microsoft triumphant as IE7 tops 100 million users

IE7 has surpassed the 100 million user mark but even though they're using the browser some users remain disgruntled.

By Maggie Holland, 17 Jan 2007 at 14:39

More than 100 million people are using the latest version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser (IE7), demonstrating its popularity since it launched last year, according to the software giant.

The company unveiled the figures, compiled by web usage researcher WebSideStory, on its IE blog, claiming that more than a quarter of people visiting US websites last week did so using IE7.

Last week's milestone means that IE7 is the second most used browser behind IE6, according to IE group programme manager Tony Chor, who expects the numbers to ramp up in volume following the finalisation of localised versions of the browser and the imminent consumer launch of Vista.

Despite optimism about increased usage going forward, Microsoft faces somewhat of a battle for market share, following Mozilla president Tristan Nitot's almost war-like declaration that he wants to secure 35 per cent of users' attention by the end of this year.

User reaction to Microsoft's IE7 statistics has been mixed, with many suggesting that they really didn't have much say in the matter and were forced into embracing the browser because it is being touted as a 'high priority' automatic update.

"I installed but still use Firefox as my primary [browser]," said one user called Marco.

"You may find many people installing it as MS is forcing it as a high security update. In reality how many web sites are actually seeing it[?]"

"So you push an application out as a critical update and then pat yourself on the back that people are using it?" commented another poster.

Other users were more positive about Microsoft's IE7 news.

Jenny Hisserich said: "Congratulations MS Developers on a job well-done. I love IE7. I'm getting really sick of the sour grapes comments by the users of other browsers."

She added: "I downloaded IE7 and installed it on purpose and have not regretted it. All it requires is to use some common sense and follow the simple installation instructions. Updates are not pushed on the dumb users. There are choices with any of the updates. If you don't want them pushed, turn off auto update and install what you want manually."