Internet Explorer 8 Release Candidate 1 Available for Download

On January 26, Microsoft released Internet Explorer 8 Release Candidate 1 (IE8 RC1). In addition to upgraded security, what are some of the new features in this version of Internet Explorer?

• Autocomplete within the address bar -- Much like Firefox 3's "awesome bar," typing terms in the address bar will search your web history and favorites to find sites you may be interested in.


• InPrivate Browsing -- New browsing mode prevents information such as web history, temporary Internet files, and cookies from being retained by the browser.


• Accelerators -- Don't you hate the multiple steps it takes to map an address or define a term within a website? You have to highlight and copy the information, go to a different site, then paste it in. Accelerators make the process easier by not having to navigate away from your original page. When you highlight a text in a website a blue Accelerator icon will display above the text. Click on this icon, and you will have a list of options you can do, such as define the term, map the location if it is an address, search for it, etc.

Should you upgrade to this new version at this time? A release candidate is typically the final test version before the official release of a piece of software. All of the major features of the final version are included, and in the release candidate stage few bugs should be present.

In terms of IE8 RC1, PC Magazine's Michael Muchmore says "based on this code, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend that any IE7 user upgrade to IE8". You can read his full review here. Please note that if you upgrade to IE8 RC1 you will not have access to Internet Explorer 7.

Have you upgraded to IE8? If so, leave us a comment and let us know what you think.