Microsoft to start pushing IE8 browser

• Tags:
• Automatic,
• Pushing,
• Opt,
• Mozilla Firefox

Ina Fried CNET News

Published: 14 Apr 2009 08:28 BST

Microsoft said it plans next week to start pushing its Internet Explorer 8 browser to consumers who have Windows's automatic-update feature turned on.

The software maker released the browser for download at the Mix conference in March, and had said it planned to start pushing the browser out in the coming days.

"Starting on or about the third week of April, users still running IE6 or IE7 on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Server 2008 will get will get a notification through Automatic Update about IE8," Microsoft said, though a representative said on Monday that this will not take place until next week, at the earliest.

The update process will be gradual, with only a small percentage of users seeing the new browser pushed out next week, Microsoft said. Although the code will be downloaded automatically, users will have to opt in to have the browser installed. In addition to saying yes or no, users can also opt to be reminded later.

Businesses will still be able to block the browser download entirely, while those who had been using a pre-release version of IE8 may already have been prompted for an update.

The release of IE8, which features a private-browsing mode and greater adherence to web standards, comes as Microsoft continues to cede browser share to Mozilla's Firefox and other rivals. A version of IE8 is also being built into Microsoft's upcoming Windows 7 operating system, though users will also be able to turn off the browser.

Credit: Microsoft to start pushing IE 8 browser from CNET News

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