From next week, Windows users should start receiving Internet
Explorer 8.0, the next version of Microsoft's web browser, through
Windows Update.
In a blog posting on the Microsoft Developer Network Eric
Hebenstreit, lead program manager at Microsoft, said, "Starting on
or about the third week of April, users still running IE6 or IE7 on
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Server
2008 will get will get a notification through Automatic Update
about IE8."
He said the new browser will be initially available to a narrow
audience of Windows users. Over the next few weeks Microsoft will
make the software available to the entire user base. On Windows XP
and Server 2003, the update will be "High Priority". On Windows
Vista and Server 2008 it will be "Important".
Microsoft said Internet Explorer 8.0 will not automatically
install on machines. Users must opt-in to install IE8. People who
want the browser now can download it from the
Microsoft download site.
