Microsoft Releases Second Internet Explorer 7 Beta

Microsoft Monday night released a second beta version of its upcoming Internet Explorer 7 Web browser, designed for tabbed browsing and better security. Whereas Microsoft aimed previous test versions of the software at Web developers and designers, the new beta is the first that targets consumers, and the company will offer free, 'round-the-clock technical support by phone for the browser.

The new beta version of IE 7 will run on PCs with the Windows XP operating system, and contains all of the features Microsoft plans for the final release of the software later this year. Version 7 includes the ability to browse the Web using tabs, new technology for printing Web pages more faithfully, support for RSS feeds, and a new warning system that can flag dangerous Web sites to users. PC users can download the new version of IE 7 for Windows XP from Microsoft's IE Web site .

Microsoft also launched a new Web site for add-on software for IE 7 featuring products from Yahoo and other companies, at www.ieaddons.com.

Microsoft plans to offer a new test version of the browser for the upcoming Windows Vista system when it releases a second beta of Vista sometime before the end of June.