Tech Report: Microsoft Looks To Pull The Plug On Plug-Ins

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – After distancing itself from plug-ins with its Internet Explorer browser last year, Microsoft is looking to pull the plug.

KCBS Technology Analyst Larry Magid said the company has gone as far as saying that plug-ins are bad for the Web.

"Plug-ins can cause browsers to crash. In fact, plug-ins are the number one reason why browsers do crash," said Magid. "Adobe Flash is one example but there are others."

KCBS Technology Analyst Larry Magid:

In many cases, Internet users have to use plug-ins to run certain things but Magid said that in an ideal world, it would be great to use a browser without plug-ins.

"Not for all of its browsers, but the ones that work with Window 8's Metro interface, Microsoft is going to have a very dumbed down, simple interface similar to the iPad that will be available on most Windows devices if you want to use it. That's not going to support plug-ins because they think it will be faster and more energy-efficient for mobile devices."

Magid said that he doesn't think plug-ins will go away but it is a signal that there needs to be a more efficient and secure environment for plug-ins in the future.

You can hear Larry Magid's Tech Report Monday through Friday at 3:50pm on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.

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