Microsoft launches delayed update.
Microsoft launches delayed update.
Microsoft has launched its Internet Explorer 7 browser for public download.
The software developer touted the browser's improved security. The software features a built in anti-phishing filter and by default refuses the installation of ActiveX objects.
The browser also copies several popular features from the open source Firefox browser such as an integrated search box and browser tabs that allow users to organise multiple web pages in a single window.
Microsoft furthermore is catching up with recent changes to internet standards such as CSS and HTML.
Microsoft over the past months has released multiple test versions of the browser, giving developers had ample time to ensure that compatibility of their online applications. Critics however have warned that not all application developers will meet today's launch deadline and charged that the IE7 release will cause a flood of support calls to help desks and internet providers.
The software maker downplayed any compatibility concerns and instead touted online services that support the new browser including Paypal and Verisign. The company furthermore is offering free phone support for users in North America through 1 November 2007.
Internet Explorer 7 requires Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Windows XP Pro 64 Edition or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. The software for now is available in English only. Additional languages are slated for release in the coming weeks.
Users can download the application directly from Microsoft's website and the software will be automatically pushed out to users as a 'high priority update' within the coming weeks. The application will first prompt the user before installing and enterprises will be able to disable the download altogether, preventing any compatibility issues.
Internet Explorer 7 was originally scheduled to ship as part of the forthcoming Windows Vista operating system. Citing growing concerns over the security of the internet, Microsoft in February 2005 said that it would unbundled the two applications launches and release the browser that summer. Both the launch of Internet Explorer and Windows Vista have since been delayed.
The new browser version comes at a time when Microsoft is facing increasing competition from the open source Firefox browser. Recent market share figures showed IE7's market share declining to 82.1 per cent as Firefox grew to 12.5 per cent of the world wide browser market.
Firefox meanwhile is expected to launch a major revision of its browser with the Firefox 2 browser later this month. The open source project earlier this week issued a third release candidate and has previously said that it would ship the final product on 24 October.