Internet Explorer 8
See the new features in Internet Explorer 8
Windows 7 is designed to work well with Internet Explorer 8, the latest version of the popular web browser. Internet Explorer 8 is faster, safer and more secure than any previous version. It's also packed with new features to make using the web a whole lot easier. We'll give you a rundown of these great new features below. You can read about all of the features on Microsoft's Internet Explorer web site.
Accelerators
These are handy little tools that are available at a mouse click. They make carrying out common tasks really easy. You can add some text on a page to your blog, access your Hotmail®, translate text, look up an address on Bing Maps and more.
All you need to do is highlight some text and the small blue accelerator icon will appear. Click the icon for a list of available accelerators to pop up. Choose the accelerator you want to use. In the example below we're looking up a post code using Bing Maps.
Compatibility View
There may be times when you encounter a site that doesn't work too well with Internet Explorer 8 because it was designed some time ago. You can remedy this by clicking the small compatibility icon in the address bar. This tells Internet Explorer to display the site by mimicking Internet Explorer 7.
SmartScreen Filter
Cyber criminals are getting smarter and using a wide array of techniques to try and steal information, money and control of our computers. SmartScreen Filter is a new set of technologies that keeps a look out for malicious sites and blocks them.
SmartScreen Filter is one of many security features designed to keep you safe. Learn more about these features.
InPrivate Browsing
There may be times when you are browsing the web and want to keep you activity private, for example, if you're shopping for a surprise gift for your partner, or booking a surprise holiday. Microsoft® has introduced a new feature called 'InPrivate Browsing' which allows you to surf the web without leaving any trace of your activity.
- Open a new tab and click 'Open an InPrivate Browsing window'.
- A new browser window will open and show that you are using InPrivate mode. Surf the web as normal, your activities won't be recorded. To end the session, just close the browser window.
