Starting with "Patch Tuesday" Updates on August 12th, Internet Explorer on Windows 7 and above will begin blocking out-of-date ActiveX controls:   this feature will present a notification bar warning users of the outdated ActiveX control trying to load, offering the user options to either update the control or [at their own risk] override the warning.  Clicking on the "Update" button will direct the browser to the control's vendor website to download the newest version.

Initially, this feature will be flagging only older versions of Java --- but over time, other outdated ActiveX controls will be added to the list.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2014/08/06/internet-explorer-begins-blocking-out-of-date-activex-controls.aspx

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9250209/IE_plays_security_catch_up_will_block_outdated_Java_plug_ins

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Remark:   While I applaud Microsoft for (playing "catch-up" to other browsers which already offer) blocking outdated ActiveX controls, I am a bit concerned with the mechanism/offer to update via an included UPDATE button, as this is technique is commonly used by malware installers to trick a person into downloading a rogue program (such as a phony Flash Player).   Users will have to be on their guard now more than ever, hopefully being able to distinguish between a Microsoft-offered update for a 3rd-party program vs. a rogue offer for that same program.