The release version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 web browser is now finally available, though only for Windows XP. The installer (14.8MB) can be downloaded here.
Version 7 offers far better security than V6 - with defence promised against phishing and malacious software. It also provides tabbed browsing so you can access multiple sites without filling the screen with lots of different browser windows.
Vista, the new version of Windows, will come as standard with Version 7 and XP users are expected to be offered the new browser in November as an automatic update.
After installing V7, anyone using third-party browsers, such as Avant or Maxthon, that already offer tabbed browsing and run on top of the main Internet Explorer engine, will find that new secure version of the engine takes its place - though we're not sure at the moment whether this is likely to causes any problems with such apps.
Other improvements in V7 include better printing of web pages (well, it could hardly be worse than in V6!), a customisable search box and a less-cluttered interface intended to make it possible to see more of the page you're visiting.
IE7 running on Vista at 1024x768
on a virtual PC
running on Parallels Workstation (click for larger image)
running on Parallels Workstation (click for larger image)
Microsoft's Dean Hachamovitch had this to say about IE7 in the IEBlog:
Today we released Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP. I encourage everyone to download the final version from http://www.microsoft.com/ie.
We listened carefully to feedback from many sources (including this blog) and worked hard to deliver a safer browser that makes everyday tasks easier. When I first posted publicly about IE7, I wrote that we would go further to defend users from phishing and malicious software.
The Phishing Filter and the architectural work in IE7 around networking and ActiveX opt-in will help keep users more secure. IE7 also delivers a much easier browsing experience with features like tabbed browsing (especially with QuickTabs), shrink-to-fit printing, an easily customizable search box, and a new design that leaves more screen real estate for the web site you’re viewing. IE7’s CSS improvements are incredibly important for developers as many of you have made quite clear. I also think IE7’s RSS experience and platform are important, powerful, and innovative.
In addition to our release of IE7, Yahoo! has a customized version of the browser available today and over the next few days partners such as Weather.com and USA TODAY will offer their own customized versions. These versions will tailor the user experience with specific toolbars, additional search engines, favorites, and RSS feeds.
I want to thank everyone who provided feedback as we developed and fine-tuned Internet Explorer 7. Over the 20 months since Bill Gates first announced our commitment to deliver IE7, we released five betas and a release candidate to millions of users worldwide.
With each release, your feedback helped us make IE7 better. Your contributions, ideas, and direct comments were crucial in helping us prioritize and focus our work. I can’t imagine delivering this product without the tremendous cooperation we enjoyed from so many of you as well as developers and partners.
That said, we’re not done. Even as we put the finishing touches on Windows Vista and release all the remaining language versions of IE7, we have already started work on the next versions of Internet Explorer. We’ll post more here soon about our plans for the product and our plans for listening to you.
Thanks,
Dean Hachamovitch
General Manager
So, have you been using betas of IE7 or already downloaded and tried the release version? If so, tell us about the pros and cons in this thread in the HEXUS.lifestyle.news forum. If not, why not just browse over there and share your thoughts?
HEXUS.links
HEXUS.community :: discussion thread about this articleHEXUS.lifestyle.headlines :: Hauppauge TV Anywhere - low-cost rival to SlingBox?
External.links
IEBlog - announcing IE7's arrivalInternet Explorer 7 - home page (and for downloads)
Avant Browser - home page
Maxthon Browser - home page
