Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Browser Released

Microsoft, the world’s leading software maker, on Wednesday released the latest version of its popular Internet Explorer (IE) Web browser, IE7, for use with the Windows XP operating system, according to an Oct. 18 press release posted on Yahoo Finance.

The new IE7 browser includes improved security safeguards to help users combat phishing attempts, malware infestations and other online threats by offering more information on suspect sites and Web locales, among other features.

In late August, Microsoft released IE7 RC1 for beta testing, and it said that it would likely be the last test build before the browser’s release to the public.

“We listened carefully to our customers and are delivering a safer browser that makes the tasks they do every day much easier,” Dean Hachamovitch, Microsoft Internet Explorer team general manager, said in the release.

On top of the added security safeguards, IE7 features a new look and feel, as well as improved search, multiple-site browsing and printing capabilities, according to the release. Microsoft also introduced tabbed-browsing functionality, which lets users view and click back and forth between multiple sites with only one browser window opened. A feature called “Quick Tabs” provides users with a peek at all open tabs within a browser window for improved site navigation.

Microsoft’s rival in the browser space, Mozilla, already offers tabbed-browsing options via its Firefox browser. Mozilla earlier this week made available the most recent beta, or test version of its browser, dubbed Firefox 2.0 Release Candidate 3 (RC3).

IE7 is available for download now via Microsoft’s site, and it’s currently offered in English for use with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP 64-bit Edition and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. Microsoft plans to make additional versions of the browser to support more languages available within “the coming weeks.”

The software giant will also issue an IE7 automatic update sometime during November, according to the release.

Technical support via phone is available for assistance with installation and other issues at (866) 234-6020.