IE 7 Beta 2 Review
Good, Very Good!
Saturday, February 4, 2006 by Larry Kuperman | Discussion: Internet
Key Features: Tabbed Browsing, a Streamlined (and highly configurable) user interface, greatly improved security, RSS feed support, toolbar search box. For a full feature list see Link (Some IE7 features will not be available until Vista rolls out.
Killer Feature: Quick tabs, thumb nail view of the tabs that you have open.
If you have used Firefox, the experience will be immediately familiar. Set up was easy, configuration was intuitive. The tabs look the way I have my tabs set in Firefox (I use Tab Mix Plus) and useage was familiar. IE 7 install also optionally runs the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool at installation,which was a nice touch, I thought.
I configured the search box immediately, choosing Google over MSN Seach without problem.
Memory usage still seems higher than for Firefox. IE7 with two tabs open: 67 Mb. Firefox 1.5.0.1 with the same two tabs: 47 Mb. If anyone gets different results, I would like to see them.
As mentioned before, security is GREATLY improved. Tools> Manage Add Ons lets you see what is running and gives you the option of Enabling/Disabling an Add On or deleting it all together. There are also built-in links for a number of Add Ons, including security ones, at http://windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=63 You can get Pop Up blockers, anti-Spyware programs, etc.
The interface is way cleaner, although you can easily go back the IE6 "classic" look if you want. See Link
IE7 is obviously intended to go head to head with Mozilla's Firefox. In my not-so-humble opinion, it is competitive. It doesn't blow Firefox away, but it is much better than IE6.
Take the full tour at Link
Reply #3 Saturday, February 4, 2006 12:54 PM
If there are conflicts, they will be reported and resolved.
Reply #4 Saturday, February 4, 2006 1:54 PM
Reply #5 Saturday, February 4, 2006 2:33 PM
Reply #6 Saturday, February 4, 2006 2:37 PM
Bear in mind that IE7 is still Beta, |
This should be kept in mind when comparing memory usage also! Since the exe was probably built with at least partial debugging left turned on it is probably using more memory than a fully optimized final build will.. Just a thought!
Reply #7 Saturday, February 4, 2006 4:52 PM
Reply #8 Saturday, February 4, 2006 4:55 PM
For more about McAfee and IE7 read Link
Security hole in IE7 reported at Link
"But browser testers may already be at risk, according to security researcher Tom Ferris. Late Tuesday, Ferris released details of a potential security flaw in IE 7. An attacker could exploit the flaw by crafting a special Web page that could be used to crash the browser or gain complete control of a vulnerable system, Ferris said in an advisory on his Web site.
Microsoft confirmed the security flaw and said it crashes IE, but is not exploitable by default to commandeer a PC, a company representative said on the IE team blog late Wednesday. The bug is scheduled to be fixed before the next public IE 7 release and was actually already found in Microsoft's own code review and analysis, the representative wrote. A Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed the authenticity of the blog post. "
Reply #9 Saturday, February 4, 2006 4:58 PM
Again, IE7 is the browser that will ship with Vista.
Reply #10 Saturday, February 4, 2006 5:31 PM
XP Pro Service Pack 2
Reply #11 Saturday, February 4, 2006 6:22 PM
The dropdown button in the address bar is not skinned.
Reply #12 Saturday, February 4, 2006 7:08 PM
Also I couldn't find anywhere how to make a "thumbnail" view of tabs that are open.
I think though overall it is an improvement long overdue, though I like firefox too much to switch back.
Reply #13 Saturday, February 4, 2006 7:21 PM
One AddOn crashed on me a few minutes into usage....[not one I added]...and inseting text into this window was as screwy as hell....became a guessing game as to what I'd actually typed.
This, however is typed in IE6.....I put 7 on my wife's machine.....less mission-critical....
This machine already has enough 'beta' software running....[not to mention Litestep as well]...
Reply #14 Saturday, February 4, 2006 7:50 PM
Meowy is right...the address dropdown box isn't skinned...i hadn't actually even noticed, though.
@ Larry K - running w/ 2 tabs right now @ 42mb...not that bad.
I did notice earlier that an app (Isass) in my task manager spiked my cpu to 100% and would not let go! Had to close IE7 and restart it...no probs since, though!
Reply #15 Saturday, February 4, 2006 7:51 PM
Reply #16 Saturday, February 4, 2006 7:55 PM
now 4 tabs...69mb
I think I hear my computer grooooaaaaning!
seems to be running fine...no noticeable slowdowns!
(running XP home SP2 - p4 1.6ghz)
Reply #17 Saturday, February 4, 2006 10:46 PM
Reply #18 Saturday, February 4, 2006 10:55 PM
Reply #19 Sunday, February 5, 2006 5:06 AM
Reply #20 Sunday, February 5, 2006 6:51 AM
Uninstalling Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview
To uninstall Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview and return to Internet Explorer 6 on Windows XP
• Click “Start,” and then click “Control Panel.”
• Click “Add or Remove Programs.”
• Check “Show Updates” at the top of the dialog box.
• Scroll down the list to “Windows XP – Software Updates,” select “Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2Preview,” and then click "Change/Remove."
If "Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview" does not exist, run %windir%\$NtUninstallie7bet2p$\spuninst\spuninst.exe. You need to have "view hidden folders" enabled.
Link
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Reply #1 Saturday, February 4, 2006 12:10 PM