IE8 update will be opt-in

Microsoft will ask surfers using older versions of the Internet Explorer browser to upgrade to IE8 next week.

However, surfers won't be forced to upgrade to Internet Explorer 8 if they don't want to, as Microsoft is presenting the software as an 'opt-in' choice.

"IE8 will not automatically install on machines. Users must opt-in to install IE8. Users will see a Welcome screen that offers choices: Ask later, install now, or don’t install," said Microsoft's Eric Hebenstreit.

>> Internet Explorer 8: first look at the new features

Microsoft's own tests of Internet Explorer 8 showed it to be faster than Firefox 3 and the first version of Google's Chrome browser.

However, the company did not test IE8 against the new beta version of Chrome or Firefox 3.1.

>> Internet Explorer 8: watch Web User's video

Microsoft has warned any network administrators who don't want the upgrade messages appearing on computers in their networks to ensure they have deployed a Blocker Toolkit by 20 April.