Enjoy:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/beta/
Upgrading notes:
- PLEASE READ THE RELEASE NOTES!!!
- Compability issues: HP Smart Web Printing (some versions); Google Toolbar (some versions); DriveLetterAccess (Roxio) (some versions); Skype add-in (some versions); Visual Studio .NET Version 7; Real Player 11; Windows Live Mail; Netflix; VB6.0 ActiveX Controls; Window-Eyes; Hotmail log-off - details are in the Release Notes, but I know some of you won't read them 'cause they're too long or you're too busy, or too impatient, or whatever...
- The IE8 Beta 2 installer *should* remove IE8 Beta 1 automatically *if you are running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003*. There will be two reboots - one after removing IE8 Beta 1, one after installing IE8 Beta 2.
- There is 1 update that should be installed before IE8 Beta 2 on multi-core XPSP2 x86 computers. It will be installed automatically if you select “Install the latest updates” option in IE8 Setup Wizard.
- If you are running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, and you have IE8 Beta 1 installed, and you have Automatic Updates turned on, IE8 Beta 2 *will* be offered for installation via Automatic Update.
- If you are running Vista or Server 2008 you will need to manually remove IE8 Beta 1 before installing IE8 Beta 2. There are 3 required updates that should be installed before installing IE8 Beta 2 - again, this will happen automatically if you have selected the option to install the latest updates.
- IF YOU INSTALLED XP SP3 AFTER INSTALLING IE8 BETA 1 IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU REMOVE WINDOWS XP SP3, AND THEN IE8 BETA 1 BEFORE INSTALLING IE8 BETA 2. IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REMOVE IE8 OR WINDOWS XP SP3 AFTER IE8 BETA 2 HAS BEEN INSTALLED.
RECOMMENDED STEPS: REMOVE XP SP3, REMOVE IE8 BETA 1, REINSTALL XP SP3, INSTALL IE8 BETA 2
- If you use WSUS to manage security updates, you may be offered security updates relevant to IE7 after removing IE8 Beta 1 and installing IE8 Beta 2. These updates are not necessary and will probably fail if you try to install them. Affected computers will stop prompting to install the updates as soon as the PC synchronizes with WSUS.
There is a LOT of new stuff in IE8 Beta 2, so this is going to be a very brief run-down. More detailed information will be posted on this blog, and at www.ie-vista.com, as time goes by.
Web slices: The icon has changed from this
to this
.
Find bar: Opened via Ctrl F.
Add-Ons:
To enable an add-on such as a toolbar, right click on the Command, Favorites or Menu Bar and turn on the toolbar that you want. Note the warning about enabling "related add-ons":
Add-on toolbars have a close button - click on the X to quickly and easily disable the add-on - again, you will see a dialogue window:
Suggested Sites: Note - turning on Suggested Sites is also turning on Automatic Feed Synchronization on my test system - you will be asked if you want to turn on Suggested Sites the first time that you run IE:
This open is enabled by turning on Suggested Sites:
InPrivate:
I've been reading some of the recent discussion on various sites about what some are calling "porn mode", and about how advertisers are worried that InPrivate may block some advertisements.
I admit to some concern about this feature; I have always said that every (wo)man deserves his wage, and I have always spoken out against wholesale blocking of advertising. It is certainly possible to quickly block services such as Google Adsense using InPrivate's "block and allow" feature. I'm still experimenting with this feature and am not sure what InPrivate will block, or how long it will take before blocking occurs, *if the user does not take advantage of the "manually block" option*.
Compatibility View:
IE7 Compatibility View is, by default, per site. If a site does not display properly, click on the Compatibility View Button:
If the Compatibility View Button does not appear (it is dynamic), use the menu option (Tools, Compatibility View Settings):
Note that you can set IE to display all intranet sites in Compability View, or all web sites.
Changes to about:Tabs
about:Tabs is the default URL for new (empty) tabs. Note that about:Tabs contains a lot of new content, including the ability to open previously closed tabs from that browsing session, start InPrivate Browsing, or use an Accelerator.
Tab groups:
This is cool - note the different colored tabs. Each color indicates an separate tab group - it is probably easiest to describe them a parent and child tabs.
Tab group controls:
Accessed by right clicking on any tab:
Close This Tab Group: will close the tab that is currently open, and all others of the same color.
Ungroup This Tab: Ungroups the tab and changes it to the default color.
Duplicate Tab: Opens a new tab at the same URL.
Smart Address Bar:
Note that the search results are divided into categories. It makes it a heck of a lot easier if, for example, you're trying to find something you read via an RSS feed, as distinct to a web page.
Search Suggestions (with images):
There are lots of new Search Providers choose from, and many include the new Search Suggestions. I recommend you visit the Internet Explorer Gallery to choose some new providers. Note that if you have already installed a Search Provider, and that Provider has introduced support for Search Suggestions, then you will need to upgrade that Provider - that can also be achieved via the Internet Explorer Gallery.
http://www.ieaddons.com/en/searchproviders/
Example of Search Suggestions:
Note: When you install the Search Provider, make sure the option to "use search suggestions from this provider" is enabled. If the Search Provider already exits, an "Upgrade Provider" button will appear instead of"Add Provider":
Also, note this setting, accessible via Manage Add-Ons, which was not enabled by default on my system. You may want to turn that option on:
Smartscreen Filter: I hold great hopes for the feature - I can see it making a big difference in the fight against Rogue Security Software:
