While completely failing to breathe a single word on Internet Explorer 8, Microsoft is still focused on the copy of the browser that originally shipped with Windows XP. In this context, the Redmond company announced that it is introducing an update to Internet Explorer 6 running on the 64-bit editions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, in order to alter the browser’s behavior when managing ActiveX controls.

The 18.9 MB update dubbed WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB912945-x64-ENU.exe is up for grabs since November 13, 2007. “This update includes minor changes to how Internet Explorer handles some web pages that use Microsoft ActiveX controls. Certain webpages will require users to manually activate Active X controls by clicking on it or using the TAB key and ENTER key. This update contains all previously released security updates,” Microsoft informed in the overview of the release. (more…)

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ActiveX controls, just like any other example of binary software, tend to evolve. This growth is of course intimately connected with updates introduced to either add new functionality or features, or simply to patch security vulnerabilities. Marc Silbey, IE Program Manager and Steve Herndon, Silverlight Lead Program Manager, have managed to come out with a three step guideline illustrating the best practices associated with ActiveX controls updating. It all starts with making detection logic an integer part of the ActiveX control. Additionally, developers also have to take into account the fact that IE7 in Vista runs by default in Protected Mode, and not automate the update to the point where the user is completely taken out of the equation. (more…)

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