They just make this soooo hard.

I am what would be called a PC power user. I typically have 8 or 9 applications running, I'm constantly downloading files from the web, have spyware and virus detection up, have a firewall going and may be on VPN (for work) at any give time.

Since I beta test as well, I have separate computers to experiment on.

THANK GOD.

My beef is now with Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 Beta 3. I had downloaded and installed Beta 1 and subsequently Beta 2. They weren't too solid but you could start to see light at the end of the tunnel.

The install for beta3 is pretty straightforward. You can get the beta from either Microsoft or download.com. You download the file, run it and it asks you to validate your copy of Windows.

After the validation, installation is pretty smooth and quick and you are prompted to restart before you're in business.

For those who haven't seen it, IE7 is pretty cool. It has tabbed browsing, a cleaner interface, support for RSS and a pretty nippy response time for downloading pages (compared to IE6 anyway).

For a comprehensive review of IE7, go here.

Because my IE7 Beta 3 icon was located conveniently on the desktop (and the quick launch bar), I found myself starting to use it as much as (or more than) Firefox. I was actually pretty impressed with the features and the only negative thing about using it was that it would crash if I had 6 or more tabs open.

While this is extremely annoying, my attitude was, this is a BETA, get over it, it'll get better.

After a while, I was over it and decided to UNINSTALL.

OH MY GOSH.

First of all, the uninstaller wouldn't work normally. I used Control Panel> Add/Remove Programs> and it wasn't there!! I made sure I looked for it with the "show updates" tab on and off. No IE 7 icon.

I went on the web and found a great link for uninstalling IE7 (from Microsoft no less), followed all the potential recommendations.

Nothing.

I installed Winsettings Pro and Advanced Uninstaller Pro and tried to remove it. Winsettings didn't even see it. Advanced uninstaller found it but couldn't remove it.

So here's the current status of my test PC.

I have a browser that has worn out it's welcome and now, won't leave.

Some of you would say, "hey dude, chill out, its Beta software, You knew what you were signing up for."

True but here's my response.

This is just a friggin BROWSER. I am not trying to install ZoneAlarm or some complicated piece of software!! This is just a browser!! This is where Microsoft drive me bananas!!

Microsoft would probably try to justify this level of integration with the response "we're trying to make sure that the user takes FULL advantage of Windows functionality"

Here's my response. A browser should be simple software. Software with a straight forward uninstall program that does a simple uninstall routine.

This is the same type of nonsense that got them into antitrust/monopoly territory.

I'll say it again, A browser should be simple software. Software with a straight forward uninstall program that does a simple uninstall routine.

Here's my bottom line. IE7 Beta 3 is still dangerous!! It's a beta!! Do not install on a PC that means something to you.

I am left in the crazy position of wanting IE6 and being unable to roll back to it.

As of the time of writing this article, I'm still trying to get this program off my PC.

Thanks Microsoft.

Appreciate it.

Till next time.

Onuora Amobi.

http://www.windows-vista-update.com