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March 19, 2009 11:45 AM PDT

Installing Internet Explorer 8

by Jessica Dolcourt
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Installing Internet Explorer 8--photos

Internet Explorer 8 is now ready to download. We installed the final build of Microsoft's latest browser, and captured the (looong) download process and our first impressions of some of the featured highlights in pictures.

If that's not enough (it never is,) CNET's Ina Fried has the full story of Microsoft's launch of IE 8 at Redmond's MIX 09 conference, and some details about a version of the browser for Windows 7. Also stay tuned to Download.com for our forthcoming video review and an in-depth look at the features and faults we find with Internet Explorer's latest iteration--and how IE compares with browsers Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera.

Jessica Dolcourt reviews the latest and greatest smartphone apps, in addition to a healthy dose of Windows software. E-mail Jessica and follow her on Twitter.
Topics:

Browsers and extensions,

Windows Software

Tags:

Internet Explorer 8,

IE 8,

IE8,

Microsoft,

Mix 09

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) Showing 1 of 2 pages (50 Comments)
by myles taylor March 19, 2009 12:38 PM PDT
I installed it on XP using VMware Fusion. It downloaded pretty fast but took forever to install. <br /><br />So far, I don't see any major improvements. In this Web 2.0 world were ascetics are everything, it looks just as ugly as IE 7. With XP still dominating as the most used OS out there, that's a major flaw. It took forever to launch as well, where Chrome, Firefox, and Safari pop up almost instantly. <br /><br />Major Fail.
Reply to this comment
by ecotopian--2008 March 19, 2009 2:30 PM PDT
um, that's aesthetics, not ascetics
by myles taylor March 19, 2009 2:57 PM PDT
You're right; sorry.
by MafiaPenguin March 24, 2009 10:29 PM PDT
Browser you're using not have spell check?
by Wolfgang_Loss_Wells March 19, 2009 1:18 PM PDT
I just installed it and it has been trouble free (on vista home premium) with the exception of 1 bad interaction with my hp printer driver. It's still a beta so you can't expect everything to be perfect. It certainly is faster then ie7
Reply to this comment
by mjconver March 19, 2009 1:21 PM PDT
I just installed on XP SP3, the install took a long time, and had to reboot. <br /><br />IE8 starts fast, and it's a little annoying with the site compatibility popups, but liveable. But when I go to my Webex site like I do 2 or 3 times a day to do tech support with my clients, it gets really stupid. After 30 seconds of the status line flashing, it just says "Done" with a blank page. Then I refresh, and get my normal page. Not impressive.<br /><br />But, no matter, it doesn't have AdBlock Plus, so it won't be my default browser anyway.
Reply to this comment
by bonesbautista March 19, 2009 1:26 PM PDT
Sticking with IE7. Don't need IE8 and not fond of its interface.
Reply to this comment
by zayasizy March 20, 2009 1:06 PM PDT
I STRONGLY AGREE! After I installed it, my PC slowed down to a crawl. I'm doing my best to uninstall it asap.
by Mc_Shizzel March 19, 2009 1:42 PM PDT
Installed it in Vista 64-bit, was a smooth (with the exception of my Windows Gadgets crashing) but rather slow install. Like the features and the new interface but after the install my gadets no longer work (just crashes all the time) restored my system and won't install IE 8 till more of the kinks are ironed out. <br /> <br />By the way is anyone else having this problem?
Reply to this comment
by rosaperry July 24, 2009 12:47 AM PDT
Yes, I've had nothing but trouble with it. It won't download off sites. It hangs and buttons on sites don't work. By the time you muck around with the compatibility mode, time just goes. I downloade Firefox and truly it was the best thing I ever did.
by ballmerisanape March 19, 2009 1:51 PM PDT
Why should I have to reboot after a web browser installation?
Reply to this comment
by myles taylor March 19, 2009 2:58 PM PDT
Because it's Windows and IE is tightly integrated into the OS, meaning that you're actually changing the OS when you install IE.
by mohammed_deniro March 19, 2009 4:20 PM PDT
thanx alot for your great programmes many thanx
Reply to this comment
by SoCalBruce March 19, 2009 4:35 PM PDT
No , thanks. I tired the "release candidate" and it was OK some of the time, but not dependable, and would not work with one of my favorite programd, "GETRIGHT" (a download accelerator). IE's downloads are slower, they can't resume most of the time, and they waste disk space because it firsts stores the file somewhere under \internet explorer\temporary files (which of course, you can't acess to look in under Vista without network admin level alchemy), and COPIES the file to the folder you told it to download to. <br /> <br />I will pass until Windows Update thinks I need it. Besides, I have been using another browser lately--while updating my Itunes 8.x a couple of weeks ago, I inadvertently downloaded Safari, which is a clean fast browser. I think I prefer it to IE anyway
Reply to this comment
by TheRottenCore March 20, 2009 3:19 AM PDT
I installed the x64 version, and after the long installation and system restart, each time i tried to open a folder, it opened in a different window.<br />I reset to default the "general" tab in "folder options" in the control panel, but it made no difference.<br />I used system restore and everything is back to normal (at least so far).<br />Guess i'll stick with firefox.<br />I installed ie8 out of curiosity anyway.
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by raghavsg11 March 20, 2009 5:41 AM PDT
help gya
Reply to this comment
by Careakith March 20, 2009 6:48 AM PDT
While I can't deny that IE8 is a step in the right direction, now that I've used it. I'm still sticking with Firefox.
Reply to this comment
by Careakith March 20, 2009 6:49 AM PDT
While I can't deny that IE8 is a step in the right direction, now that I've used it. I'm still sticking with Firefox.
Reply to this comment
by magickster March 20, 2009 10:18 AM PDT
I downloaded IE8 and it said that it installed. I restarted but it was not on my PC at all. Stupid crap.
Reply to this comment
by jbcracker March 21, 2009 8:27 AM PDT
I had the same experience; but I must be a glutton for punishment - I tried three times on my computer with Xp Home with the same result! Installed it on my laptop (Vista) no trouble! <br />jb
by zayasizy March 20, 2009 12:36 PM PDT
I downloaded IE8 on my XP desktop and now it's running extremely slow and I am desperately trying to remove it from the program list to get it back to the good condition it was in. Any ideas anyone??
Reply to this comment
by jbcracker March 21, 2009 9:08 AM PDT
All I did was use the Add-Remove in Control panel. It then reverted back to IE7.
by titmario April 5, 2009 11:06 PM PDT
TRY SYSTEM RESTORE,AND GO BACK..A FEW DAYS BEFORE INSTALLATION.IF YOU DON'T HAVE SYSTEM RESTORE ACTIVE, TRY TO GO TO CONTROL PANEL THEN GO TO ADD REMOVE SOFTWARE.AND DELETE IT FROM THERE
by hager432 March 23, 2009 1:49 PM PDT
goooooooooooooooooooooooood
Reply to this comment
by March 24, 2009 9:49 PM PDT
I'm really starting to wonder about Microsoft and their attempt at updating. There always seem to be a problem.
Reply to this comment
by JDI777 March 24, 2009 10:36 PM PDT
I DIDN'T CARE FOR BECAUSE OF TOO MANY ADVERTISEMENTS &#38; SLOWED DOWN MY VISTA TO AL- <br />MOST A FREEZE
Reply to this comment
by suew55 March 24, 2009 10:49 PM PDT
Downloaded IE8 the other day and have had nothing but trouble. Keeps jamming so I have to keep restarting the computer and does not seem to be downloading some sites from Outlook.....<br /><br />Unimpressed.
Reply to this comment
by rnshaf March 26, 2009 9:51 AM PDT
I am having the same problem. IE8 keeps disconnecting and closing. I have to restart constantly. Don't like this browser. Wish I had never installed. I am currently using Foxfire. It is a better browser. No problems.
by ggand4 March 24, 2009 11:09 PM PDT
I used to be an IE7 fan but not until I shifted &#38; installed Firefox. I liked FF already. Well, after hearing all the comments about the loooong installation (&#38; downloading) process of IE8... I will stick to FF... smaller &#38; faster to download &#38; install (&#38; update).<br /><br />I've never been impressed with IE anyway... thanks for the choices of the great browsers (FF, Google Chrome, &#38; Opera) that we have now, people don't need to be stuck with IE anymore :)
Reply to this comment
by harpic04 March 24, 2009 11:55 PM PDT
I am reluctant to try Explorer 8. due to the fact that, compared with XP (Home,) my Vista 32 is a <br />great disappointment !! I've D/L Firefox and Chrome in the past &#38; they have caused nothing but <br />problems &#38; I have had to uninstall both. Even now, with Explorer 7, my system keeps tripping out &#38; <br />then repairs itself ! Roll on a new Operating System altogether ! Microsoft ought to offer it FREE to <br />Vista users !
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