Let’s face it – even though Windows Vista is right around the corner, there will be a huge installed base of Windows XP machines for many years to come. As a result, Microsoft today has officially released Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP.

Although IE 7 has many new features – let’s face it – many other modern browsers have had these features for quite some time. Here’s the list of major new features found in Internet Explorer 7:

  1. New streamlined interface showing you more
  2. Tabbed browsing
  3. Automatically shrinks text for improved printing
  4. Support for RSS feeds
  5. Integrated instant search box
  6. Improved security features

You can download IE 7 now by going to this website.

[Check it out]

 Microsoft Releases Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP

Enhanced security technologies, new experiences enable customers to browse
                     the Web with confidence and ease.

    REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp.
(Nasdaq: MSFT) today released to the public Windows(R) Internet Explorer(R)
7 for Windows XP, the latest version of the world's most popular Web
browser. Customers can upgrade and browse the Web with confidence knowing
that the new browser provides a greater level of security, makes everyday
tasks easier, and works well with the Web sites they visit.
    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
    "We listened carefully to our customers and are delivering a safer
browser that makes the tasks they do every day much easier," said Dean
Hachamovitch, general manager of the Internet Explorer team at Microsoft.
    Financial institutions and security vendors such as PayPal and VeriSign
are lining up to support the newest generation of the browser and
encouraging their customers to upgrade to Internet Explorer 7.
    "Security is a top priority for PayPal, and we encourage our customers
using Windows to download and use Internet Explorer 7," said Michael
Barrett, chief information security officer for PayPal Inc. "The new
Internet Explorer 7 browser has significant security enhancements,
including features that help customers protect their personal information
when browsing, communicating and transacting online."
    Safer and Easier
    In response to the increase in and changing nature of online security
threats, Internet Explorer 7 provides advanced safeguards that help protect
against malicious software and phishing attacks. In Internet Explorer 7,
Microsoft has helped reduce the exposure to these attacks by fortifying the
browser itself and providing better information to users to assist them in
making better and safer decisions online.
    "Making the consumer experience more secure is paramount to maintaining
consumer confidence online," said Patrick Gauthier, senior vice president
at Visa International. "Microsoft's security improvements in Internet
Explorer 7.0 will certainly further this endeavor."
    "As the industry leader in Web site authentication, VeriSign believes
that Microsoft's new Internet Explorer 7 browser will help increase user
confidence and help make consumers more secure when using the Internet,"
said Tim Callan, product marketing director at VeriSign Inc. "VeriSign has
always been on the leading front of offering the most current technologies
to help secure consumers online, which is a concept that Microsoft brings
to life with Internet Explorer 7. We encourage users to move to the new
browser."
    Internet Explorer 7 delivers a new look and enhanced capabilities that
make everyday tasks -- such as searching, browsing multiple sites and
printing -- simple and fast. To help users do more with the browser,
Microsoft is introducing users of Internet Explorer to tabbed browsing.
With tabs, users are able to view multiple sites in a single browser window
and easily switch from one site to another. In Internet Explorer 7,
Microsoft extends tab functionality with a new feature called Quick Tabs,
which provides an "at a glance" snapshot of all open tabs on a single
screen, enabling easier and faster site selection and navigation.
    Increased Compatibility and Manageability
    While Internet Explorer 7 includes significant end-user advancements,
it was also designed with developers and IT managers in mind. Microsoft
engineered Internet Explorer 7 for compatibility with existing Web sites by
adhering to some of the most important standards for Web site development.
Internet Explorer 7 also features improved manageability for enterprises
through the enhanced support of Active Directory(R) Group Policy, which
enables IT managers to easily deploy and centrally manage the browser on
each of the desktops in their network.
    Microsoft to Provide Customer Support
    Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP is now available in English and runs
on Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP 64-bit Edition and Windows
Server(R) 2003 Service Pack 1. Internet Explorer 7 will be made available
in other Windows-supported languages over the coming weeks.
    Microsoft will continue to provide consumers in North America running
Internet Explorer 7 with unlimited phone support for installation and
download issues at no charge until Nov. 1, 2007. Free phone support is
available in English Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PDT, and on
Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT by calling (866) 234-6020.
    Availability Details
    Microsoft encourages all genuine Windows customers who want a safer and
easier browsing experience to download Internet Explorer 7 free of charge
at http://www.microsoft.com/ie . Microsoft will also begin distributing
Internet Explorer 7 as a high-priority update via Automatic Updates in
November 2006. Microsoft encourages customers to install Internet Explorer
7 when notified by Automatic Updates.
    Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.

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