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 #42 Wednesday, February 8, 2006 8:33 PM
Even if you have already chosen it as the default.
Which is kind of obnoxious, don't you think?
Reply #43 Thursday, February 9, 2006 2:20 AM
Reply #44 Thursday, February 9, 2006 10:19 AM
Reply #45 Thursday, February 9, 2006 11:42 AM
Reply #46 Friday, February 10, 2006 7:15 AM
You can create the web browser you have always wanted.
+ it is the fastest web browser i have ever tested. Faster than IE6, IE7, Mozilla Firefox, Netscape... i could go on. Seriously, this is the best browser i have ver used, i also use a portable version on my flash drive and i will never stop using it even after IE10!!
Reply #47 Friday, February 10, 2006 7:19 AM
i have downloaded IE7, i have to admit it is much better than its predecessors. Better security, much better looking, tabs are a nice touch but nothing new, much faster (but not as fast as you know what) and overall i am quite pleased with microsofts new browser, but it doesnt have that feel to it that makes it a really good browser.
+ it has crashed for me a few times, understandable from a beta though
...+ what it really needs is mouse gestures. Available in both Firefox and Opera, they really make browsing so much more pleasing.
Reply #48 Saturday, February 11, 2006 4:35 PM
For those that are having problems, two things:
Are you running SP2? Silly question, but people often fail to read the documentation.
What are your security settings set at? I use Custom Level. DesignCaddy, good to see you, I had no problems whatsoever with the Reuters site. Check that and try again.
Reply #49 Monday, February 13, 2006 6:48 PM
As far as CSS goes, I saw minor improvements. But it was a pleasant surprise to see that transparent .png support has FINALLY been implemented.
Reply #50 Wednesday, February 15, 2006 7:26 AM
So far the new features work well and I like it.
Reply #51 Friday, February 17, 2006 2:55 PM
Edit: Nevermind, I read on the IE7 newsgroup that there is no button to launch OE. No problem, I have an Email button on my keyboard that launches it fine.
Reply #52 Monday, February 20, 2006 8:53 PM
Reply #53 Monday, February 20, 2006 9:36 PM
WHEN I HAD TOO UNINSTALL IT TO RESTORE MY COMPUTER TO INTERNET EXPLORER 6, IT DIDN'T UNINSTALL COMPLETELY, LEFT SOME ARTIFACTS OF IT BEHIND.. |
Are you sure you did it properly? I uninstalled it and have no residual effects. Remember that this was only a preview beta, mainly meant for developers to test their sites and was not meant to be a replacement for IE6. Nothing is final, I am sure the Outlook button and all the other customization features will be there when it's donebr/>
Also, Caps Lock?
Reply #55 Tuesday, February 21, 2006 12:54 AM
- Go to Control Panel
- Add/remove Programs
- Ensure the "Show updates" box has a check in it, if not check it
- IE7 Beta is then located under "Windows XP- Software Updates"
- Click on IE7 Beta and then begin the uninstall of IE7
Reply #56 Wednesday, February 22, 2006 3:29 AM
Reply #57 Wednesday, February 22, 2006 7:35 AM
Reply #58 Wednesday, February 22, 2006 8:39 PM
Everytime I open IE7 it starts with a small window in the middle of the desktop. Anybody else? |
Actually, I've always had that problem with IE6, but 7 seems to be opening full screen the way I'd like it to.
Reply #59 Saturday, February 25, 2006 12:20 AM
Reply #60 Sunday, February 26, 2006 1:32 PM
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Reply #41 Wednesday, February 8, 2006 8:29 PM
If you go to Google, it will prompt you to download a patch that makes Google the default search engine.