Enterprise Software

A first look at Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 beta

By · March 7, 2008, 1:00 AM PST · markwkaelin

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  • Download and begin the installation

    The Web browser war continues to rage in a sort of Cold War fashion and the latest salvo in the battle between Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox is IE8 beta. Take a look at this TechRepublic Photo Gallery to see what this newest version of Internet Explorer brings to the Web browser.

  • Beta means beta

    The License/User Agreement makes it clear that this is a beta version of Internet Explorer.

  • Even a beta needs updates

    Part of the installation process involves acquiring updates from Microsoft via an Internet connection.

  • Doesn't take long

    Installation of Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 (beta) only takes a couple of minutes.

  • Restart required

    A restart of Windows was to be expected.

  • Configure settings

    The first time you start IE8 beta, you'll be given the opportunity to set your settings. The Express radio button should be all most users need.

  • What's new

    Besides your normal home page, your new beta browser will load the Internet Explorer. "What's new!" page.

  • An active Webslice

    Among the new features in IE8 are the plugins Microsoft has dubbed Activities and WebSlices.

  • For developers

    One of the new icons on the top of the IE8 page in the menu section will display this developer scratch pad. This feature needs additional exploration. Any takers?

  • Tools

    A fairly standard list of tools.

  • Page

    Under the Page menu item you will find the additional features like WebSlices. One feature is particularly interesting -- Emulate IE7.

  • Emulate IE7

    To turn on emulation of IE7 you'll have to close all the open browser windows.

  • I7 returns

    With IE7 emulated by the IE8 beta, the top of the TechRepublic page once again displays correctly. Looks like our engineers are going to have to do some tweaking. Something to keep in mind in your Web programming.

Download and begin the installation

The Web browser war continues to rage in a sort of Cold War fashion and the latest salvo in the battle between Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox is IE8 beta. Take a look at this TechRepublic Photo Gallery to see what this newest version of Internet Explorer brings to the Web browser.

Related Topics:

Enterprise Software CXO Microsoft Google Open Source Software Tech Industry

By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.