What is the Browser Choice update? (KB976002)

Microsoft is providing the Browser Choice update to comply with a legal settlement with the European Commission. Microsoft is required to inform customers who currently use Internet Explorer as their default browser that there are other web browser choices available. You can use the Browser Choice update to select and install the web browser you want to use on your PC.

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Who will get the Browser Choice update?

If you're using Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 and you have your regional settings set to one of the following countries or regions, you’ll get the Browser Choice update through the Windows Update service:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

You can find more information in the Microsoft Statement on the European Commission Decision press release on the Microsoft News Center website.

What happens when I receive the update?

After downloading the update and restarting your PC, the update will check to see if Internet Explorer is your default web browser. If it is, the following will happen:

On a PC running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, a shortcut for the Browser Choice update will be put on your desktop. On a PC running Windows 8, a tile for the Browser Choice update will be added to the Start screen.
On a PC running Windows 7 or Windows 8, the Internet Explorer shortcut will be unpinned from the taskbar.
The Browser Choice information screen will open. Tap or click OK or Continue to move to the next screen.
The Browser Choice screen will open for you to install or learn more about other browsers.

Do I have to choose a browser right away?

No, you can tap or click Select later to be prompted to choose a browser the next time you log on. You can open the Browser Choice screen anytime by double-clicking the shortcut on your desktop in Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 or tapping or clicking the Browser Choice tile on the Start screen in Windows 8.

What if I want to keep the default browser I have now?

On a PC running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, close the Browser Choice screen by clicking the Close button in the top right corner. On a PC running Windows 8, drag the Browser Choice screen from the top to the bottom of your screen to close it. You won't be prompted to choose again, though you can start the Browser Choice screen at any time by double-clicking the shortcut on your desktop or tapping or clicking the Browser Choice tile on the Start screen.

Is Internet Explorer removed by the Browser Choice update?

The Browser Choice update doesn't add or remove any programs from your computer. If you're using Windows 7 or Windows 8, you can choose to pin it back on your taskbar. For more information about how to pin a program to your taskbar, see Pin a program to the taskbar (Windows 7) or Pin a program to the taskbar (Windows 8).

How do I select and install web browsers using the Browser Choice update?

Follow these steps to use the Browser Choice update to install one or more browsers to your computer:

Do one of the following:
- On a PC running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, double-click the Browser Choice shortcut on the desktop.
- On a PC running Windows 8, tap or click the Browser Choice tile on the Start screen.
In the Welcome screen, tap or click OK or Continue.
In the Select your web browser(s) screen, for each browser you want to install, tap or click Install. Tap or click Tell me more for information about any of the browsers.
Follow any on-screen instructions to install the browser you chose.

I don't see the Internet Explorer shortcut on my taskbar. What happened, and how do I put it back?

If you’re using Windows 7 or Windows 8 and Internet Explorer is your default browser, the update will unpin the Internet Explorer icon from your taskbar. For information on how to pin programs to your taskbar, see Pin a program to the taskbar (Windows 7) or Pin a program to the taskbar (Windows 8).

Why isn't all of the text on the Browser Choice webpage and other browsers' websites shown in my native language?

The text that's displayed on the Browser Choice screen is written by the web browser provider and is displayed in English if localized text or links haven't been created by the provider. The websites linked to from the Browser Choice screen aren't under the control of Microsoft and Microsoft isn't responsible for the links or contents of these providers' websites.

If I choose to install a different web browser, will my Internet Explorer favorites be transferred to my new web browser?

Transferring favorites to your new web browser isn't part of the Browser Choice update. During setup, some web browsers will prompt you to transfer your Internet Explorer favorites to your new web browser. If the option to transfer your Internet Explorer favorites to your new browser isn't offered, contact the browser provider for assistance.

I'm having trouble downloading or installing one of the web browsers offered via Browser Choice. What should I do?

Microsoft only provides technical support to customers who need assistance with Internet Explorer. Try contacting the other browser providers for assistance.

Will the Browser Choice update be offered for any editions of Windows Server?

The Browser Choice update will only be offered to customers using Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8. Windows Server editions won't receive the update. However, the Browser Choice update will be distributed to virtual workstations running on Windows Server.

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