Install IE11 before IE11 patches?

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Hi, I’m almost caught up on the Windows Group B security updates, and installed October through May; I’ll install June in a couple of days. I’m on Windows 7 Pro 64-bit SP1.

When I tried to install “Mar 2017 (IE11) KB 4012204”, I got an “The update is not applicable to your computer.” message. I double-checked that I’m installing the x64 version of the update.

I vaguely recall many years ago doing what I could to “remove” IE from my system, by taking some simple steps and not doing anything advanced. I don’t remember what I did, but IE doesn’t show up in Programs and Features, although I don’t know if it’s supposed to.

I can install a fresh copy of IE11, but I want to check with you first.

Should I go ahead and install IE11, then check for updates, and then install the March, April, and May IE11 patches, or do you have other recommendations?

I have no intention of launching IE ever; I’m just installing it for the ancillary support/features/security it provides to Windows, and then its security patches for more overall security.

Thanks!

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If you have installed any IE patch later than March, you will not be able to install the earlier patch because IE patches are cumulative and the earlier patch is already there contained in the later one. If this is not the case…..

Install IE11 first from the Microsoft Support site.

Then use Windows Update to install whatever IE-related patches are there (uncheck everything else). WU will know which patches you need. The IE patches are cumulative after March 2017, so you may see only the latest March-June.

It is advisable to keep IE patched for security reasons. It is an integral part of the OS. Even if you do not use it as a browser, other processes use it for other purposes.

Edit to add information

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If I’m right you expect KB4021558 to be offered by Windows Update.

Not going to happen.

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Not the stand-alone cumulative update. That will be manual at the end. But if the User is reinstalling IE11, there will probably be older patches that have not been superseded.

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Which patches March-June other than the Cumulative Update could there possibly be? Did I miss something?

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@pkcano
If I understand it correctly, from sources like ghacks.net (from Dec. 2013), uninstalling IE11 can be achieved, but in its wake, you are left with a legacy version of IE. Some people may have assumed by uninstalling IE11, and setting their Windows IE8 to unchecked (in Turn Windows Features On/Off) meant that IE was no longer on their system… certainly it doesn’t show in Uninstall/Change Programs or in View Installed Updates. I believe uninstalling, and having no visible signs of IE on their computer, still leaves a trail of registry entries.

Can you confirm that in these cases, they are likely to have a very old version, such as IE7, active without their knowledge?

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Yes.
IE8 for Windows 7
IE7 for Vista
IE6 for Windows XP

In general, only professionals should select and download updates because they have other reference tools than Windows Update.
Regular users should use only Windows Update and install what is offered.

2 users thanked author for this post.

MrBrian, Kirsty

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I think you all misunderstood what I was saying.
The user was in Group B.
He wanted to reinstall IE11 – download the installer from MS.
Since he was not in Group A (ie, installing the Rollup which contains the IE cumulative) after installing IE11:
Then I suggested he should use Windows Update to install any IE11 related older updates – implying ones that said “update for IE11” if there were any
After that, install manually the latest standalone cumulative update for IE11.

2 users thanked author for this post.

ch100, JDeC

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@pkcano I didn’t, you were right all the time. 🙂
I only replied to Kirsty’s post, see indentation, regardless of your reply.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Kirsty, PKCano

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I still don’t understand what “IE11 related older updates” means.

Is he supposed to be offered an update that says “I may not exactly be the Cumulative Security Update, but I’m IE11 related anyways?”

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