Microsoft to ship Windows 7 soon?

Taken from: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9243188/Microsoft_ships_tool_to_block_IE11_on_Windows_7

As Microsoft releases new Windows software, it frequently blocks automatic updates to Internet Explorer:

The article notes:

The toolkit blocks automatic upgrading of older editions of Internet Explorer to IE11 on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 through the operating systems' built-in Automatic Update service. Companies that rely on Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or System Center 2012 do not need the toolkit since they can manage the deployment of IE11 using those tools.

Individuals can also use the toolkit to keep IE11 off their Windows machines without disabling Automatic Updates for all other Microsoft software.

This generally relates more to corporate subscribers - to keep older (solid) versions of Internet Explorer while updating the rest of the software.

Meanwhile, for personal computers, Windows 8 is available - for PC's and for mobile devices.  It enables touch screen computing (like iPhone and others)

Windows 8 was released to mixed reception. Although reaction towards its performance improvements, security enhancements, and improved support for touchscreen devices was positive, the new user interface of the operating system was widely criticized for being potentially confusing and difficult to learn (especially when used with a keyboard and mouse instead of a touchscreen). Despite these shortcomings, 60 million Windows 8 licenses have been sold through January 2013, a number which included both upgrades and sales to OEMs for new PCs.^[5]

To survive all companies have to innovate, change, adapt to the current marketplace (something Dell failed to do).  With these upgrades, Microsoft indicates it is STILL a viable and solid company in the computing field.