IE7 released

**Jeffbx** · 10-19-2006, 05:00 AM

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...px?mg_ID=10010

I just installed it a few minutes ago. Looks nice so far - I like that they finally have tabbed browsing.

**MikeD** · 10-19-2006, 06:02 AM

Tabbed browsing is nice. Not a big fan of how they've moved the Favorites, nor the Internet Options. Ehh, I guess it's one of those things you get used to.

**kimchicowboy** · 10-19-2006, 06:24 AM

how does it compare withw firefox? does it hog up system resources?

**zippyjuan** · 10-19-2006, 11:40 AM

BBC Article: says that if you do not download it by then, you will get it as an update in November for XP users.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6066650.stm

Last Updated: Thursday, 19 October 2006, 13:51 GMT 14:51 UK

Microsoft's browser gets upgraded

IE 7 will be the browser that ships with Windows Vista
Microsoft has made Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7) available to the general public.
The new version is the first upgrade to the web browsing program for more than five years.

New features include tabbed browsing, the ability to search the net directly and an anti-fraud system to thwart phishing attacks.

The new program is available as a free download on 19 October, but many will get it as an automatic update to Windows XP in November.

Phish fighter

The new version of the browser has gone through a long testing regime and five test or "beta" versions have been made available in the last 14 months.

Despite this IE 7 is still seen as an attempt by Microsoft to catch up with rival browsers as it includes features that have long been seen in competitors such as Firefox and Opera.

With the new version, it is possible to open up tabs rather than windows for new webpages and subscribe to RSS feeds via the browser.

One controversial new feature is the addition of a box that lets people search the net directly from the browser rather than through a dedicated webpage.

The Firefox browser has been eroding IE's market share
This defaults to Microsoft's own search engine, but in a last minute change the software company is letting users choose which search site this feature should call upon.

Built in to the browser is an anti-fraud system that changes the colour of the address bar to red when a user visits a known phishing site. Other warnings will pop-up if an IE 7 user strays onto a site displaying suspicious activity.

The security features on IE 7 mean that many people will get the browser as part of the monthly updates Microsoft issues to address bugs in its software. Home users will get the option to install the browser, and businesses will be able to block its installation on their machines.

Version 6 of Microsoft's browser has regularly been hit by a series of attacks by malicious hackers that attempt to exploit weaknesses in it to take over users' PCs.

IE 7 will also be the default browser for the next version of Microsoft Windows, known as Vista, that is due to be launched in 2007.

The release comes at a time when the numbers of people using Microsoft's Internet Explorer are shrinking. In 2004, 93% of net users browsed the web via IE. Now that proportion has dropped to 86%. Much of that market share has been taken by the Firefox browser, which is used by 11% of net users.

On the day IE 7 was released, a trial version of Version 2.0 of Firefox was also put online for downloading. The finished version is due to be released in the next couple of weeks.

**Prngr44** · 10-19-2006, 12:23 PM

I'm sure it'll get installed automatically, but I'll be sticking to my Firefox.

**Airencracken** · 10-19-2006, 12:26 PM

Ouch. Already found a vulnerability.

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/10/19/1326247

"Not 24 hours after the release of IE7, Secunia reports Internet Explorer Arbitrary Content Disclosure Vulnerability. So much for the "you wanted it easier and more secure" slogan found on Microsoft's IE Website."

**Markel** · 10-19-2006, 12:44 PM

Microsoft has been running a radio ad blitz announcing IE7. Whoop de doo.

**zippyjuan** · 10-20-2006, 11:34 AM

I just installed it and I am noticing that type on websites looks different- and is often fuzzier looking which makes it a little harder to read.

**Jeffbx** · 10-20-2006, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by zippyjuan

I just installed it and I am noticing that type on websites looks different- and is often fuzzier looking which makes it a little harder to read.

Give this a try -

http://www.microsoft.com/typography/...ner/Step1.aspx

**zippyjuan** · 10-20-2006, 12:58 PM

Thank you for the link. I tried it, but it did not seem to help. It looks almost like one of the color layers is not quite lined up with the others- causing a shadow. I now notice it on my computer even for non- internet use.

**LPMiller** · 10-20-2006, 04:45 PM

I find myself hating it. I don't understand why here, and in vista, they insist on making interface changes to things that weren't broken.

**ray** · 10-20-2006, 05:03 PM

similar to my response in the windows vista thread, i think i'm going to wait it out a few months before i run and install this new stuff onto my computer. i want all the big problems fixed before i go near it.

**LPMiller** · 10-21-2006, 11:07 AM

so you'll be waiting for IE 10 then?

**Memo** · 10-21-2006, 01:12 PM

Bah, it's so ugly. I can't bring myself to accepting the new look of the upcoming Microsoft products. Some of the worst design and color palettes in software history.