Windows 7 Desktop Integration Added to Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate

The release candidate for Internet Explorer was available for download today from the Web.

Internet Explorer 9 has a streamlined design, fewer dialog boxes to click through, more intuitive navigation, and many new features that speed up your web browsing experience. Features like Pinned Sites let you pin your favorite website directly to the taskbar for one-click access. Other features, like hardware acceleration, deliver an all-around faster browsing experience.

For more information, see What’s new in Internet Explorer 9?

Here’s a brief listing of new features:

• Streamlined design
• Pinned Sites
• Download Manager
• Enhanced tabs
• New Tab page
• Search in the address bar
• Notification Bar
• Add-on Performance Advisor
• Hardware acceleration
• Tracking Protection
• ActiveX Filtering

Download Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate

You can download Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate in the language that matches your version of Windows or choose the English version, which works with all versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7.  See Internet Explorer Downloads.

Windows 7 Desktop Integration with Internet Explorer 9

Windows Internet Explorer 9 introduces pinned sites, a feature with which you can integrate your websites with the Windows 7 desktop. A pinned site is more than just a shortcut, however. With very little effort, developers can access features of the Windows 7 taskbar from their websites.

• Pinned Site Developer Documentation
• Introduction to Pinned Sites

Internet Explorer 9 Guide for Developers

For more information, see Internet Explorer 9 Guide for Developers that has been updated for the release candidate. The Internet Explorer 9 Guide for Developers provides a look at the features and improvements in Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate. By using this guide, web developers and designers can prepare to take advantage of these enhancements. Developers can also experience the platform in action using the Internet Explorer Test Drive.

See It In Action

Check out the cool things Internet Explorer 9 can do at beautyoftheweb.com.

Bruce D. KyleISV Architect Evangelist | Microsoft Corporation