In this issue:
Microsoft Releases Internet Explorer 8 Release Candidate 1
by Arie Slob
Hello Windows users,
 Early this week Microsoft announced the release of Internet Explorer 8 Release Candidate 1 (RC1). This release is the first update sice the public Beta 2 release last August.
According to Microsoft, IE8 RC1 is "Platform Complete", which means that Microsoft won't be adding (or removing) any futures from IE8. Dean Hachamovitch, General Manager of Microsoft's IE development team pointed out a new security feature that was added after Beta 2: "We've worked closely with people in the security community to enable consumer-ready clickjacking protection. Sites can now protect themselves and their users from clickjacking attacks "out of the box," without impacting compatibility or requiring browser add-ons."
According to Dean Microsoft also made some changes to the InPrivate function. This function lets you control whether or not IE saves your browsing history, cookies, and other data (popularly known as "porn" mode).
Users who have already installed a beta of IE8 will soon be offered an upgrade to RC1 automatically via Windows Update, but if you can't wait, I have the direct download link below.
If you like to try IE8 RC1, I must strongly urge you to read the Release Notes first. There are several applications that will need updating or that will not work at all with RC1, so make sure you check before you install.
Operating System
IE8 will run on these operating systems:
- Windows Vista x64 and x86
- Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) x64 and x86
- Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
- Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)
- Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
- Windows Server 2008 x64 and x86
- Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) x64 and x86
You can download IE8 RC1 from Microsoft's Windows Internet Explorer 8 page. IE8 RC1 is available in 25 languages.
Note: If you are running Windows 7 Beta, you will not be able to install IE8 RC1. You will get an error message saying that your operating system is not supported since IE8 already ships in Win7. According to Microsoft Windows 7 users will get an updated IE8 with the next update of Windows 7.
Your Comments.
Windows 7 Public Beta Availability
Microsoft had originally stated it wanted to cap the download of Windows 7 Beta 1 to the first 2.5 million downloads. But as they (initially) struggled with the enormous (according to Microsoft - unexpected) demands, Microsoft made some changes to the availability. On January 10th Microsoft announced that the beta would be available true January 24th. But on January 23rd Microsoft announced the following:
- The beta will be available for download through February 10th
- Users who have started but not completed the download process will be able to do so through February 12th
Product keys for the Windows 7 Beta will continue to be available. So if you have the Windows 7 Beta but didn't get a product key you will be able to do so even after February 12th.
MSDN and TechNet Subscribers will continue to have access to the Windows 7 Beta bits throughout the Windows 7 Beta phase. The above dates do not apply to MSDN and TechNet Subscribers.
Recommended Book: Windows Vista for XP Professionals
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