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February 23rd 2010 - Microsoft's Windows Updates introduced
browserchoice
 Windows users will be presented with a non-descript
text based window (a 'ballot') that some may think is a malware
'popup' or
some other malicious nasty. I can see this causing confusion for some!
I would have thought it could have been made to look a bit more
professional and should say where it's come from and who's issuing it.
Perhaps along with the option to 'don't show again' for users that are
happy with their setup.
The dialogue box only contains an 'OK' button (asking you to confirm you
are connected to the internet) - I found that even by closing the window
rather than clicking OK the program still proceeds to present you with the
next screen - it seems MS have taken a note out of the malware writers
handbook!
Below is the text that's displayed the next time
Windows starts after installing the browserchoice update:
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Information Regarding web Browsers
An important choice to make: your browser
Your browser is an important piece of software on your computer. It is
what you use to surf the internet: it's the window around the web site
your visit.
There are many browsers available, each with a variety of features. On the
next screen, you can select and install any additional browser(s) you want.
Before proceeding, please confirm that you are connected to the internet.
OK
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The browserchoice update also leaves a new shortcut on the
users desktop pointing to
browserchoice.exe /launch
The Windows Registry also contains many references to this program.
Clicking the 'Install' links on the second 'browser
choice' window takes users to the relevant browser download/install page
for IE8 or offers to start the download for the other browsers on offer.
You can view this web page directly by visiting:
www.browserchoice.eu/BrowserChoice/browserchoice_en.htm
UPDATE: The browserchoice.eu website is no longer
available, this Wikipedia page contains further details:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BrowserChoice.eu
I was happy with my current setup of IE (Internet
Explorer) and FF (FireFox) so closed the second window. Again an option to
'do nothing' would have been nice!
Windows Update: KB976002
A Browser Choice application is available in the European Economic
Area
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976002
(MS have removed this page)
Details on the Windows Browser Choice update
from Windows Update
Microsoft Browser Choice Screen Update for EEA Users of Windows XP
(KB976002)
Date last published: 2/23/2010
Download size: 559 KB
Install this update to access a Choice Screen which lets you select
whether and which Web browser(s) to install in addition to Internet
Explorer. After you have installed this software update it cannot be
removed.
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browserchoice screen shots
(click for full size versions)
First 'browserchoice' window
No - it's not a virus/malware popup!
Scrollable list of internet browsers
Browser Choice Desktop Shortcut
C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe /launch |
