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I have firefox. Do I need Internet Explorer 7 to use all my programs?

smwgrw59
smwgrw59
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I had Internet Explorer 8 and I took it off because my computer was so slow and even froze up. I believe it was the security for Internet Explorer 8 that caused the problem (McAfee). I have Microsoft Security Essentials as my security system. Since taking off Internet Explorer 8, I do not seem to have a problem with slowness. I just need to know if I need Internet Explorer "7" for Outlook Express and other Microsoft programs. I keep getting security features that want to update to Internet Explorer 7. I don't want to update them because I am afraid it will slow down my computer again. If I need Internet Explorer 7, do I need to update the security? I hope someone can help me.

I had Internet Explorer 8 and I took it off because my computer was so slow and even froze up. I believe it was the security for Internet Explorer 8 that caused the problem (McAfee). I have Microsoft Security Essentials as my security system. Since taking off Internet Explorer 8, I do not seem to have a problem with slowness. I just need to know if I need Internet Explorer "7" for Outlook Express and other Microsoft programs. I keep getting security features that want to update to Internet Explorer 7. I don't want to update them because I am afraid it will slow down my computer again. If I need Internet Explorer 7, do I need to update the security? I hope someone can help me.

Chosen solution

Yes, you should update IE7 with security fixes. Many aspects of Windows use the underlying components of IE, especially Outlook Express 6. Note that Firefox does not use IE components to display pages, so if Firefox is slowing down, that would be for some other reason, to be determined.

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All Replies (3)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Yes, you should update IE7 with security fixes. Many aspects of Windows use the underlying components of IE, especially Outlook Express 6. Note that Firefox does not use IE components to display pages, so if Firefox is slowing down, that would be for some other reason, to be determined.

billy-t
billy-t
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I use only Firefox 

 I use Firefox and only Firefox. I do not use Outlook express and I use very few windows    programs. Is it necessary to download and install all of the updates they send me. Except for banking, eBay and other household expenses I do not use the computer for business. 
 
  Other then taking up space and time why install them?

  The computer ran fine when I bought it.

Modified by billy-t

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Security updates are annoyingly frequent, but in addition to protecting your own data, they can help prevent your computer from being enrolled into botnets or otherwise used by others for their own purposes. Everyone has to make their own decision about how much risk they want to take. If you are good with backups and wouldn't lose business if your computer was down for a few days for a complete rebuild, then maybe you can do Microsoft updates every few months rather than every month?