How do I test the new out-of-date ActiveX controls feature?

On the previous blog "How to manage the new "blocking out-of-date ActiveX controls"  feature in IE?" we showed you the location and settings for the new out-of-date ActiveX controls feature and on this one, we are outlining the step by step instructions covered in article KB2991000 | Update to block out-of-date ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer under the section "Testing the out-of-date ActiveX controls feature" to get your testing started and better prepare you for the upcoming changes.

Testing Guidance

If your organization has a dependency on an outdated version of Java, you can run the following test to mirror the end-user experience on September 9, 2014.

1. On a test computer, install the August cumulative update for Internet Explorer
         (http://vkbexternal.partners.extranet.microsoft.com/VKBWebService/ViewContent.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;2976627)    
   .
2. Set a registry key to stop downloading updated versions of the VersionList.xml file. To do this, run the following command: 
   reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\VersionManager" /v DownloadVersionList /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
   Important: After testing, you must delete this registry key or this computer will stop receiving an updated VersionList.xml file that lists the out-of-date ActiveX controls. We do not recommend ever setting this registry key on an in-production computer. 
3. Copy the current VersionList.xml file from hereor direct link (https://iecvlist.microsoft.com/ie11blocklist/1401746408/versionlist.xml)    to the following location: 
   %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\VersionManager\versionlist.xml
   Note: If you are asked, overwrite the existing file. 
4. To start blocking out-of-date versions of Java, open the VersionList.xml file and delete the first occurrence of latestgroup="1" (the bolded portion below):
   
   < groupentries>
   < groupentry groupname="Java(TM)" fwdlink="https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=401352" latestgroup="1"/>
   < groupentry groupname="Java(TM) 1.4.2_43" fwdlink="http://" latestgroup="1"/>
   < groupentry groupname="Java(TM) 1.5.0_71" fwdlink="http://" latestgroup="1"/>
   < groupentry groupname="Java(TM) 1.6.0_81" fwdlink="http://" latestgroup="1"/>
   < groupentry groupname="Java(TM) 1.7.0_65" fwdlink="http://" latestgroup="1"/>
   < groupentry groupname="Java(TM) 1.8.0_11" fwdlink="http://" latestgroup="1"/>
   < /groupentries>   
5. Restart Internet Explorer. You should see that websites that attempt to load out-of-date Java ActiveX controls will now display the out-of-date ActiveX control blocking notification.

If your organization needs more time to mitigate dependencies on out-of-date Java controls, you have the following two options:

• Turn off the feature completely: Use the Turn off blocking of outdated ActiveX controls for Internet Explorer Group Policy setting (or corresponding registry key)
   Note  This is the less secure option.
• Turn off the feature for a specific domain: Use the Turn off blocking of outdated ActiveX controls for Internet Explorer on specific domains Group Policy setting (or corresponding registry key). This setting allows you to turn off the feature on the specific domains on which your enterprise has an out-of-date Java dependency.

RELATED ARTICLES:

•  Internet Explorer begins blocking out-of-date ActiveX controls
• http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2014/08/06/internet-explorer-begins-blocking-out-of-date-activex-controls.aspx
• How to manage the new "blocking out-of-date ActiveX controls" feature in IE?
• http://blogs.msdn.com/b/askie/archive/2014/08/12/how-to-manage-the-new-quot-blocking-out-of-date-activex-controls-quot-feature-in-ie.aspx
• Out-of-date ActiveX control blocking
• http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn761713.aspx
• Internet Explorer begins blocking out-of-date ActiveX controls
• http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2014/08/06/internet-explorer-begins-blocking-out-of-date-activex-controls.aspx

This blog has been provided to you by the IE Support team!