This morning, I got a surprise: Windows Update notified me that an Internet Explorer 7 upgrade was available. ( I already had Beta 2 installed.) That's right: the final release version is out via Windows Update. At this very moment, end-users are upgrading to Internet Explorer 7. Are you ready, as a Web Developer, to support Internet Explorer 7?

Windows Update Pushing Users to Upgrade to Internet Explorer 7

It begins here: Windows Update. This self-launching popup promises users "Enhanced security to help protect you from malicious software and fraudulent websites", tabbed browsing, and easier printing and searching. Who wouldn't want that? Software companies have gotten better about providing updates, and Microsoft is no exception. I expect the adoption rate of IE7 will be higher and faster than previous versions. Plus Vista is right around the corner.

Internet Explorer 7 Customize Your Settings Page

After installation (and restarting your computer), users are presented with a Web page of "Customize Your Settings." This page where users can set browser preferences is similar to Adobe's security settings page for Flash. On this page, you can set:

• Default search provider. My default was set to Google, which is probably because I had changed the default in the Beta version I installed. However, origianally, in the Beta, the default was MSN. Will this feature reduce Google searches and increase MSN?
• Help make your browsing more secure by setting up Phishing Filter. Sounds good to me. Hope it helps.
• See webpages more clearly. AKA, ClearType. We will have to to wait to see how ClearType works out. Will people think Web pages are blurry? I'm sure there are designers somewhere right now pulling out their hair over this one. I'm concerned, but not worried.
• Help customize webpages to your current location. This is good: give normal users an easy way to set their Encoding preferences.
• Help improve Internet Explorer: Join the Customer Experience Improvement Program. Why anyone would do this is beyond me. Microsoft claims the information they collect on you as you surf the Web is anonymous. But why would anyone give consent to any kind of spying for years (as long as they use Internet Explorer)?

Conclusion

With Windows Update pushing Internet Explorer 7, integrated MSN search, ClearType, and more, we will all be waiting anxiously to see how the new Internet Explorer affects Web Designers and Developers. And I have a feeling we won't have to wait long. Vista, anyone?