Internet Explorer 7

Publisher's description of Internet Explorer

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Internet Explorer 7 provides improved navigation through tabbed browsing, Web search right from the toolbar, advanced printing, easy discovery, and reading and subscription to RSS feeds. Internet Explorer 7 provides security through a robust new architecture, security features that help defend against malicious software (also known as malware), and new ways to better protect against the theft of personal data from fraudulent Web sites, a practice known as phishing. Internet Explorer 7 has improved support for cascading style sheets, a rich RSS feeds platform, and robust tools for deploying and managing Internet Explorer 7 in large enterprise environments.

Note: The Download Now link will take you to the Microsoft download site, where you can select your operating system: Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition, or Windows Server 2003 ia64 Edition.

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Microsoft Internet Explorer

Editor's review of Internet Explorer

For a detailed analysis of IE7, read CNET Senior Editor Robert Vamosi's extended review.

Microsoft's next iteration of Internet Explorer is predictably a solid contender in the browser category. A sleeker and more spare interface will have some old IE users running for the preferences, but even with fewer buttons the new IE works fine right out of the gate. The adoption of tabs is a welcome change for more efficient browsing, and the Quick Tabs feature is an especially nice touch for viewing the contents of all of your tabs in one window. The addition of a RSS feed manager is nice for news addicts, blog fans, and hobbyists, but we would like a way to search for RSS feeds beyond only adding the ones we come across. We also like the integrated search bar that offers a pull-down menu, letting you add your favorite search engines and sites quickly.

A welcome addition is an antiphishing option to check a site's legitimacy, which you can enable at first launch. While Internet Explorer doesn't offer the user-made plug-ins, themes, and extensions found in other browsers such as Firefox and Opera, there are several useful plug-ins you can choose from at Microsoft's Web site. Finally, security concerns with what will undoubtably be the most used Web browser are always an important consideration, but with the proper security programs, most people will be able to surf safely. Overall, we find the latest version of Microsoft's megabrowser to be a fine way to browse the Web, with the addition of many long-awaited features that make the entire Web experience more efficient and enjoyable.

User reviews of Internet Explorer

• Average user rating: out of 1090 votes
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  Internet Explorer

  Hardly worth the trouble.

  by: Cheapster on 18-Oct-2006 07:04:14 PM

  Pros: First IE update in years. Finally has a tabbed UI, and isn't as full of security holes.

  Cons: Too little too late. There's nothing here to lure away users who have already switched to Firefox or Opera.

  The interface is awkward and poorly laid out. Uses much more memory than its predecessor, doesn't always work properly with some sites or utilities.

  If you're happy with Firefox, or even IE6, this new version of IE isn't going to change your life. Give MS a couple of more months to issue all the inevitable platches and updates before downloading this one...

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (260 of 308 users said yes)

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  Internet Explorer

  They took five years to give us this...?

  by: Joe M on 18-Oct-2006 06:58:00 PM

  Pros: Updated interface, fast, more secure than earlier version.

  Cons: Not entirely stable, even now that it's no longer in beta. Doesn't play nice with some web sites that are IE "optimized", or utilities like Gmail Notifier or Yahoo mail. Still not W3C standards compliant.

  Too little, too late, but hey... At least MS woke up from a loooooong time asleep at the wheel.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (196 of 236 users said yes)

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  Internet Explorer

  Problems

  by: HuDu on 18-Oct-2006 06:50:56 PM

  Pros: Tabs, improved security, and printing options are long overdue, but welcome. Zoom feature is nice, loading and browsing are very quick.

  Cons: Clumsy interface, with navigation buttons and menus on opposite sides.

  Worse, however, is after I installed it, Flash content stopped working. I reinstalled Flash, still nothing. I removed IE7 and reverted back to version 6, still no good. Did a system restore, still no remedy.

  Looks like the only way to get my PC back to its former healthy state is to reformat and reload... and I think I have IE7 to thank for that.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (208 of 255 users said yes)

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  Internet Explorer

  So tempted to curse out loud...

  by: mattumanu on 18-Oct-2006 11:18:58 PM

  Pros: Well, it's got tabs now... it's got antiphishing...

  Cons: The interface is all messed up. The toolbar is gone, no file, no edit, no view... You can no longer move the toolbars around like you like it. I think that microsoft merely capitulated to the demands of the people rather than making a unique microsoft product.

  I did curse out loud, actually, when I saw the new interface. I like to customize. I don't like the setup on this.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (82 of 100 users said yes)

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  Internet Explorer

  Hmmm....

  by: computerjuvenile on 19-Oct-2006 08:20:38 AM

  Pros: I like the addition of tabs to the browser. Many of the features seem to use concepts drawn from Firefox 2 and Opera. It seems faster than it did before. The built in RSS feed is a nice addition along with the multiple tab viewer. I like how you can easily create new tabs but hitting the little button on the far right tab.

  Cons: I suppose the most annoying thing for me, is the fact that there is no refresh button. You manually have to right click on the tab of the page and do a refresh.

  Why are the back and forward buttons on the opposite side of the screen from the home button. And you can't really move anything around. It all just adds to awkwardness of the interface. It always creates new windows, which is odd because the default setting is to open it in new tabs. It doesn't seem to work really well.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (73 of 88 users said yes)

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