A while back we released a IE 7 blocking tool. It uses a registry key that Automatic update checks. If it is present, IE 7 will not automatically install.
Starting February 12th, IE 7 will begin showing up on Automatic updates, and ignore the special registry key. It will be up to the user to continually reject the install.
It is unfortunate that Microsoft has not decided to extend this date. I know quite a few companies with third party apps – that simply will not work with IE 7.
Beyond the compatibility issue, I personally dislike IE 7 in its present form. It is a slow and clunky interface. Every time I come across a machine that has it – I find myself downloading Firefox.
I will be sad to see IE 6 to go. Even with all of its quirks, it was still far better than IE 7.
The same could be said about Vista and XP 
At the end of February we will be deleting the IE 7 blocking tool from our website, and removing it from Network Administrator.