Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer 7

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates announced that the new version of its browser would be released at the RSA Conference 2005 in San Francisco On February 15, 2005. The main reason to update the browser was the tremendous spread of the Mozilla Firefox browser; along with great features and add-ons, which were just not available to previous versions of Internet Explorer.

The New Browser

The new Windows browser interface has many additional features 'Firefox' users, have enjoyed for quite some time. The features include tabbed browsing; RSS feeds optimisation, search box and improved in-built printing options. Windows was prompted to update the browser as its main competitor Mozilla was capturing more and more of the browser market.

Internet Explorer 7

The browser is fully supported and compatible with Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003 SP1 and of course the new Windows OS Microsoft Windows Vista. Internet Explorer 7 was released in a staggered fashion with the first beta version of the browser released on July 27, 2005 for levelled technical testing. Then released to the general public version of Internet Explorer 7 (Beta 2 preview: Pre-Beta 2 version), on January 31, 2006. The browser finally released a full public version on October 18, 2006. The internet community largely welcomed the release as it did rectify many outstanding issues as well as bring the browser up to market expectations.

Built-in Tools

Internet Explorer 7 has built in defence from phishing as well as deceptive web sites and malicious software. Also features full user control of ActiveX and overall better security framework. Bugs have been eliminated (almost) enhanced web standards and of course what the internet community have longed asked for tabbed Browsing with tab preview and management. This version can also automatically block applets such as Flash movies and Java. Finally, thumbnails of all open tabs known as Quick Tabs is another great feature.

Security

Numerous security exploits that plagued previous versions have been eliminated. Internet Explorer 7 now operates in protected mode which isolates from other applications in the operating system. Dangerous code or malicious software are restricted from writing to any location beyond Temporary Internet Files without express permission from the end user.

In Summary

Personally, I work from home and office and use the home computer set up just the way I like it. Primarily I use Firefox and hardly use Internet Explorer 6. At work it's the opposite Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox is not permitted. My work experience has warmed me to IE7 and I would consider using it more often and possibly fully. Microsoft Explorer 7has differed from its long standing stance of not updating/upgrading often enough, slow to respond to multiple calls for change, and just plain bloody stubborn. From now on companies can really use IE, forget the old un-adjustable versions, this new version is well matched to your operating system in terms of looks and functionality.