Internet Explorer 8 RC1 Now Available For Download

If you did not install the new Windows 7 operating system that comes with included Internet Explorer 8 Beta but would still like to try new IE 8 then here’s a piece of good news for you. This afternoon, Internet Explorer General Manager Dean Hachamovitch has announced the immediate availability of Internet Explorer 8 RC1.

Note that this version (RC1) is newer than that included in Windows 7 Beta. But for Windows 7 users, it is not available for download yet, because this version of IE 8 that is released is not compatible with Win 7. But don’t worry, it is not changed much than that version of IE 8 in Windows 7 beta.

New Internet Explorer 8 RC1 is available for download in 25 languages for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server. Download link is below. But before you download and install Internet Explorer 8 RC1 here are some things that you should know:

1. If you are a Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 user and you are upgrading from IE8 Beta or Beta 2 to IE8 RC1, you are no longer required to manually uninstall earlier IE8 builds. Instead, IE8 RC1 installer will automatically upgrade your machine from the earlier IE8 builds to the latest IE8 build, all with a single reboot.
2. There is a new pre-requisite for IE8 RC1 (KB957388). This update supersedes KB943302 and KB957055 and will be automatically installed as part of your RC1 upgrade, as long as you keep “Install the latest updates” checkbox checked. This update addresses known application compatibility issues in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 and improves the performance and reliability of IE8.

3. All IE8 Beta 1 and Beta 2 users will be offered IE8 RC1 via Windows Update in 25 languages. For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, the IE language that gets offered via Windows Update will match the base OS language. For Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, the IE language that gets offered via Windows Update will match the Active Language that the user selected for their account.

Here are the new features that are included in IE 8 RC1 so you can know what to expect:

Accelerators

Accelerators let you map directions, translate words, email your friends, and more in just a few mouse clicks.

ie8_accelerators_image

InPrivate Browsing

Browse the web without saving your history with Internet Explorer 8′s InPrivate Browsing. Now you can shop for that special gift (or go to one of your favorite sites ) with confidence knowing your family won’t accidentally find out or use a shared computer without leaving a trace.

screenshot_privatebrowsing

Web Slices

Keep up with changes to the sites you care about most. Add a Web Slice and you won’t have to go back to the same website again and again for updates on news, stock quotes, online auctions, weather, or even sports scores.

screenshot_ebay

Search suggestions

Search smarter with detailed suggestions from your favorite search providers and browsing history. See visual previews and get suggested content topics while you type in the enhanced Instant Search Box.

screenshot_search_ie_8

SmartScreen Filter

New security features help to protect you against deceptive and malicious websites which can compromise your data, privacy and identity.

screenshot_antiphishing

And finally here is the download link where you can download
and try all these new features yourself.

Download Link: New Internet Explorer 8 RC1

I just want to say that after all these features and new things that Microsoft added to Internet Explorer 8, I think Firefox will still stay unbeaten in quality, safety and speed (especially with these 3 hacks that double your Firefox browsing speed) when it comes to internet browsing.

But if you see some things that you think have better functionality in IE 8 than Firefox please post them in comments so we can all know…

[tags]windows 7, microsoft, internet explorer 8, internet browser, firefox, mozilla, safari, software, free, download[/tags]
[via windowsteamblog]