Microsoft has released a beta 2 version of its Internet
Explorer 7 web browser for free download, less than three months
after releasing a “preview” version.
The beta 2 version is feature-complete, with a range of features
added since the launch of IE6 in a bid to fend off increasing
competition from the open source Firefox browser, which now
accounts for 10% of the market.
IE7 includes new security measures designed to combat phishing
attacks, spyware and other threats. Another feature allows users to
clear their browsing history, passwords, form data and cookies in a
single click.
IE7 also includes tabbed browsing, an enhanced search box, new
printing features and a built-in RSS feed reader.
Microsoft has also launched a new Internet Explorer add-ons
site, offering hundreds of extras to extend the browser’s
capabilities.
The final release of Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP is
expected to be in the second half of this year, ahead of the
expected January 2007 launch date for Microsoft’s new Vista
operating system.
