It looks like Microsoft is getting ready to field the RTW (Release to Web) version of IE11 soon as they have released a tool for users to block the automatic Windows Update for the new browser.

To help our customers become more secure and up-to-date, Microsoft will distribute Windows Internet Explorer 11 as an important update through Automatic Updates for Windows 7 SP1 and higher for x64 and x86 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 and higher for x64.  This Blocker Toolkit is made available to those who would like to block automatic delivery of Internet Explorer 11 to machines in environments where Automatic Updates is enabled. The Blocker Toolkit will not expire.

There are four additional notes on the Toolkit to Disable Automatic Delivery of Internet Explorer 11 page at the Download Center to take note of:

  • For computers running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, the Blocker Toolkit prevents the machine from receiving Internet Explorer 11 via Automatic Updates on the Windows Update and Microsoft Update sites.
  • The Blocker Toolkit will not prevent users from manually installing Internet Explorer 11 from the Microsoft Download Center, or from external media.
  • Organizations do not need to deploy the Blocker Toolkit in environments managed with an update management solution such as Windows Server Update Services or System Center 2012 Configuration Manager. Organizations can use those products to fully manage deployment of updates released through Windows Update and Microsoft Update, including Internet Explorer 11, within their environment.
  • Even if you used the Blocker Toolkit to block Internet Explorer 8, Internet Explorer 9, or Internet Explorer 10 from being installed as a high-priority or important update, you will still need to use the Internet Explorer 11 version of the Blocker Toolkit to block Internet Explorer 10 from being installed. There are different registry keys used to block or unblock automatic delivery of Internet Explorer 8, Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 10 and Internet Explorer 11.

So if you have good reason to hold off on the automatic update to IE11 when it is released then you will need this download.