Microsoft releases near-final IE 8

Microsoft on Monday released a near-final 'release candidate' version of Internet Explorer 8, the next version of its Web browser.

As noted by enthusiast site Neowin, the code is already available from Microsoft's download centre.

With IE 8, Microsoft is hoping to regain some lost ground by adding features such as private browsing, improved security and a new type of add-ons called accelerators.

On the security front, Microsoft is adding a cross-site scripting filter, as well as protections against a type of attack known as clickjacking.

In an interview, IE general manager Dean Hachamovitch said there will be little change between the release candidate and the final version, though he declined to say when the final version will be released.

"The ecosystem should expect the final candidate to behave like the release candidate," Hachamovitch said.

Internet Explorer 8 will work with Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or later) and Windows Vista. A version of IE 8 is also being built into Windows 7, alhough the IE code in the next-gen OS is a pre-release candidate version.

"Windows 7 enables unique features and functionality in Internet Explorer 8, including Windows Touch and Jump Lists, which require additional product tests to ensure we are providing the best Windows experience for our customers," the software maker said in a statement. "Microsoft will continue to update the version of Internet Explorer 8 running on Windows 7 as the development cycles of Windows 7 progress."