Internet Explorer 8 released today

[Ian]

Microsoft have announced that Internet Explorer 8 will be available for download from today (noon EST). You should be able to check the following page for the download:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/download-ie.aspx

PC Mag have some thoughts on the release:

Though still trailing Firefox in terms of JavaScript speed and available extensions, the newly released browser surpasses Mozilla in terms of security and browsing aids. The latter include Accelerators, WebSlices, search improvements, and new-tab assistance. IE8 also catches up to Firefox with its Smart Address bar, equivalent to the open source browser's so-called "awesome bar." IE8 also adds improved Web and on-page searching, as well as color-coded tabs for related web pages.

The Microsoft IE Development blog also have some tips on how to customise IE8:

http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/20...tion-experience-with-internet-explorer-8.aspx

 

[Ian]

It's out now, I'm downloading it as I type this

 

[Geoffers]

Oh bum! The download just hangs at the end of "Extracting Files"!
On XP that is!

 

[Ian]

Oh dear, not a good start is it! Does it do the same in safe mode?

Works OK here on Vista for me, and hasn't crashed yet (which the beta did!).

 

[Geoffers]

Got it now. I had to remove my thumb drive for it to install.
Found that out on the third reboot!

 

[BetaMan]

Eeeeeek! I don't ever use IE anymore. In my opinion, Chrome is the best.

 

[clifford_cooley]

IE8 for Windows 7 later this year

Special note for Windows 7 Beta Users

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx

Windows 7 Beta already includes a pre-release candidate version of Internet Explorer 8 that is optimized for that release. Windows 7 enables unique features and functionality in Internet Explorer 8 including Windows Touch and Jump Lists which require additional product tests to ensure we are providing the best Windows experience for our customers. We will continue to update the version of Internet Explorer 8 running on Windows 7 as the development cycles of Windows 7 progress and plan to include the final version of Internet Explorer 8 in the release candidate version of Windows 7 later this year. For the latest information on Windows 7, visit the Windows 7 site