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Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9

By | October 28, 2010, 10:28am PDT

Microsoft is making available for download on October 28 another new test build of Internet Explorer 9.

The IE 9 Platform Preview 6 build is available for download from Microsoft’s IETestDrive site. The latest build “reflects developer feedback and delivers better performance as well as more standards support, like CSS3’s 2D transforms,” according to the company. Microsoft also has added some new demos and test cases to its Test Drive site.

Microsoft announced the availability of the newest IE 9 test build during the opening day keynote of the company’s two-day Professional Developers Conference, which is happening on the Redmond campus of the company.

Microsoft execs said today that there have been 10 million downloads of the IE 9 beta, which the company made available in mid-September.

Microsoft officials still aren’t sharing a ship-date target for IE 9. In a new blog post on the company’s IE Blog, execs did say that the IE9 Release Candidate will be following the sixth platform preview. (I’m assuming this means the next test build released will be the IE 9 RC, but I am not 100 percent sure of this — check now. Yes, it does mean exactly that, Updated (again): There may or may not be one more preview before the RC, officials said. A number of Microsoft watchers expect Microsoft to deliver the final version of IE 9 in the first half of 2011.

Microsoft’s goals with IE 9 include making its browser more standards-compliant, less cluttered and faster.

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Topics

Microsoft Internet Explorer 9, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Corp., Web Browsers, Internet, Mary Jo Foley

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

Disclosure

Mary-Jo Foley

Freelance journalist/blogger Mary Jo Foley has nothing to disclose. WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). I do not own Microsoft stock or stock in any of its partners or competitors. I have no business ventures that are sponsored by/funded by Microsoft or any of its partners or competitors.

Biography

Mary-Jo Foley

Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for 25 years for a variety of publications, including ZDNet, eWeek and Baseline. She has kept close tabs on Microsoft strategy, products and technologies for the past 10 years. In the late 1990s, she penned the award-winning "At The Evil Empire" column for ZDNet, and more recently the Microsoft Watch blog for Ziff Davis.

Got a tip? Send her an email with your rants, rumors, tips and tattles. Confidentiality guaranteed.

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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
dsfwrryd81-24353642388531374848402453956551 10th Nov
cwrknf,good post!
View in thread
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Good browser
statuskwo5 28th Oct 2010
I am using IE9 beta and I think overall it is a good browser. There are still some hiccups with websites, but since it is still a beta I can forgive it. Definitely can't wait for the final release.
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
gorians Updated - 7th Aug
He asked when will IE have an Add Block chinese that you can website in the name web that can only asia tourism from world longest to the art Plus
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
De-Void 28th Oct 2010
The IE9 team really is cooking on gas. Ever since the first IE9 tech preview, they've shipped like clockwork and each new release brought significant improvements in features, perf and standards support.

Keep it up - THIS is how every team at MS should be delivering - set the standard and others will (at least try to) follow.
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
ramvan03@... 28th Oct 2010
I tried it and did not like the new look at all. I like having my most often visited sites on click away instead of the multi click in IE9
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
Droid101 28th Oct 2010
I'm loving it so far. IE9 feels better and pinning sites to the toolbar and seing their own special icon (rather than being just another stacked tab on the IE icon) is great and no other browser offers this yet.
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Chrome kinda has it
Cylon Centurion 28th Oct 2010
NT
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
illegaloperation 28th Oct 2010
@Cylon Centurion 0005
No it doesn't.
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If I wanted Chrome, I'd run Chrome
croberts 28th Oct 2010
.. I sure don't need a lookalike.

Microsoft is in serious danger of getting lost in the swamp trying to haphazardly copy random UI bits from different competitors.
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Do you really choose your browser based on where the tabs are?
Michael Alan Goff 28th Oct 2010
Really?
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I do, which is why I'm concerned about Firefox 4.
techvet 28th Oct 2010
Tab placement is a big deal to me. I have read FF 4 is going the Chrome route. I am hoping I can still do it the old way via some add-on.
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A lot of browsers are going the chrome route
Michael Alan Goff 28th Oct 2010
If my main thing was having some "new" tab placement? I would have to choose some obscure browser that nobody has heard of. The way I see it is the placement of tabs is less important than the performance.
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
lehnerus2000 28th Oct 2010
@techvet
You can choose the new tab layout or the classic layout in FF4 Beta.
The new layout is less cluttered, but I prefer to have my add-on/menu buttons visible for easy access, so I use the classic layout.

I don't know why they haven't introduced a menu editor so you can totally personalise the FF controls/options the way you want.
I'd rather they do that, than add more "Personas".
I find the "Personas" make the text labels unreadable.
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
windozefreak 28th Oct 2010
@croberts
Name a few please!
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When will Ad Block Plus work with IE?
techvet 28th Oct 2010
Remember that April Fool's hoax about all Firefox add-ons working with IE? I wish it were true! The biggest problem I have switching to IE8, besides performance, is no support for a good, solid, reliable, non-pimpware, ad-blocker. Also, when I open a new tab in IE8, it takes forever to open, and I have more add-ons with Firefox than with IE8! A robust ad-blocker is an absolute requirement.
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
windozefreak 28th Oct 2010
@techvet
Ah hum, I think the conversation was about IE9. Maybe I'm wrong???
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
ahh so Updated - 29th Oct 2010
@windozefreak
He asked when will IE have an Add Block Plus?

Why don't you answer his question.
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Ad Block Plus?
Michael Alan Goff 29th Oct 2010
http://adblockie.codeplex.com/

http://www.ie7pro.com/ ALSO HAS AN AD BLOCKER
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Lame-O Plus?
ahh so 31st Oct 2010
http://adblockie.codeplex.com/

Wow, no development since the middle of 2009. 'Fan-tas-tic'.

http://www.ie7pro.com/

If the guy can't do something simple like keep his forums clean of Viagra ads, then there's no way he be relied on.

lol...
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So it's obvious that you don't know what you're talking about
Michael Alan Goff 1st Nov 2010
when it comes to IE7Pro. Go troll somewhere else.
  • Flagged
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
ahh so 1st Nov 2010
So it's obvious that you don't know what you're talking about when it comes to IE7Pro.

I know more than you do. That's obvious. And what I said was also true, so you can't deny it.

Go troll somewhere else.

Make me.

Or better still, start telling the whole truth instead of half of one.
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The whole truth
Michael Alan Goff 1st Nov 2010
IE7Pro will stop popups.

It works as well as ad block plus.
  • Flagged
0 Votes
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
ahh so Updated - 1st Nov 2010
Wow, that took you all of 15 minutes to say that, didn't it?

Doh.

lol...
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Do you have a point
Michael Alan Goff 1st Nov 2010
ahh so?
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Sure
ahh so 1st Nov 2010
What I said up above is still true.

But keep clinging to denial if you want to. You'll talk yourself into believing otherwise if you do it long enough.
0 Votes
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You're not right, though
Michael Alan Goff 1st Nov 2010
IE7pro works just as well as ad block plus.
0 Votes
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No, I am right
ahh so 2nd Nov 2010
The statement I said about both of those feeble websites you pointed to is true. Here it is again since your ADD has caused you to forget.

http://adblockie.codeplex.com/

Wow, no development since the middle of 2009. 'Fan-tas-tic'.

http://www.ie7pro.com/

If the guy can't do something simple like keep his forums clean of Viagra ads, then there's no way he be relied on.

Now tell me why both of those statements aren't true. Or are you going to continue to have your head up your a$$ in denial about it.
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IE9 SmartScreen Filter
Rick IE Team 28th Oct 2010
Folks should be aware that the IE9 Beta will have the same SmartScreen Filter that has been successful at protecting browsers in IE8. The SmartScreen filter helps protect you from web and social engineering threats.

SmartScreen Filter helps combat threats with a set of sophisticated tools:
1.Anti-phishing protection?to screen threats from impostor websites seeking to acquire personal information such as user names, passwords, and billing data.
2.Download reputation?to remove all unnecessary warnings for well-known files, and show severe warnings for high-risk downloads.
3.Anti-malware protection?to help prevent potentially harmful software from infiltrating your computer.
"If a malicious website is detected, Internet Explorer 9 blocks the entire site, when appropriate. It also can do a "surgical block" of malware or phishing hosted on legitimate websites, blocking malicious pages without affecting the rest of the site."

With SmartScreen filter and other tools IE9 is a pretty secure browser and can be relied on to help protect your PC.

Cheers,
Rick
IE Outreach Team
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
quasidogs 28th Oct 2010
Why doesn't this browser offer something as basic as spell check?
0 Votes
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
windozefreak 28th Oct 2010
@quasidogs
Because it is not a teacher!
0 Votes
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Good point, spell check is extremely handy
NonZealot 28th Oct 2010
@quasidogs
Lack of a built in spell checker isn't that big of a deal as long as it is easy to add with an add-in. To be honest, I don't use IE that much since I prefer Chrome but are there easy to use add-ins that add spell checking to IE?
0 Votes
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Yup.. IESpell is a popular choice.
Wolfie2K3 29th Oct 2010
@NonZealot
Downloads and installs quickly and is available from the toolbar, menu bar, and the right-click menu. Not quite interactive like the one in Firefox, but it gets the job done.
  • Flagged
0 Votes
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Thanks, I'll check it out (nt)
NonZealot 29th Oct 2010
@NonZealot
  • Flagged
0 Votes
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Pathetic
ahh so Updated - 31st Oct 2010
It's pathetic that a browser doesn't have something as basic as a built-in spell-checker. No wonder IE is a piece of garbage.
  • Flagged
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
mikefarinha 28th Oct 2010
@quasidogs

I agree. Web browsers don't just consume content but also create content. Not having this makes going from FF to IE a bit of a pain.
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Aren't there add-ons?
Michael Alan Goff 28th Oct 2010
IESpell and IE7Pro come to mind.
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
GoodThings2Life 28th Oct 2010
@quasidogs ... last I checked, my Firefox spell checker marks more things wrong than it does right, and oh yeah, I can actually read, write, and speak my native language above a third grade reading level.
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spell check? what spell check?
cym104 Updated - 28th Oct 2010
and how do i type chinese on zdnet??
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
Rick IE Team 31st Oct 2010
@quasidogs, there is an Add-on available called ieSpell, that works very well. You just install it on IE and right click when you need to spell check. You can download it from this link. http://www.ieaddons.com/en/details/Time_Savers/ieSpell/

Rick
IE Outreach Team
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
noralk 29th Oct 2010
Tell ZDNet that this SAP advertisement is causing problems. Every time I click on the sides of the page, so I can scroll, it opens a new window to SAP. THIS IS ANNOYING!!
0 Votes
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
clfitz 1st Nov 2010
@noralk
I agree. I'm frankly sick of ads, anyway. When will advertisers learn that dirty tricks don't work?
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
rdw551 29th Oct 2010
Hope its better than the first beta. It kept crashing and shutting down all the time so I got rid of it. Did like the speed although the layout takes a bit of getting used to.
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
chethammer 29th Oct 2010
I used to love apple products. Until Steve Jobs decided that my worth as a customer was less than the consideration he would give a dog that peed on his shoe. I've owned many many ipods.

I'd love to get an Ipad. Even crazed lunatic PC lovers think they're ultra cool........admit it.....you know who you are. BUT once I buy it, what do I DO with it? Play games on it, face book, surf the web? I wanted one on the day they were released, but waited to see about problems and usage. Most people I know with an Ipad tell me its biggest job is collecting dust. Every laptop I've had has burned out from use. Never time to collect dust. It would be that way if it was a Mac Book Pro too. So just because you're a HUGE fan doesn't mean you can't see the real picture. Useful is Useful and a toy is a toy. Watch any of the CSI's and you'll see them doing their real work on a Desktop and they hand an Ipad to someone to look at a picture or watch a video. Plus, for a handheld device an IPAD is HUGE!!!!
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what changes did they make in this release?
hansonjb 29th Oct 2010
i'm hoping they will give users the option to _not_ use the download manager that forces you to do extra clicks to watch videos and download files.
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Why don't you just try it?
Michael Alan Goff 29th Oct 2010
You can then come up with your own conclusions.
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
Bigfoot16EEE Updated - 29th Oct 2010
For years I have struggled to keep malware out. When will MS write secure software? Are IE9 or latest Windows nearing this, or more of the same? I have been hearing about overflows, backdoors & misdirects etc for many years, yet service packs keep coming. Why can't software/hardware have a secure standard structure for programming? I do not want cookies & histories, forms autofill etc!!!
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IE may have problems
Michael Alan Goff 29th Oct 2010
But Safari is the first one that goes down in pwn2own.
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Yeah, M$ needs to control your machine some more
ahh so 31st Oct 2010
Every little bit helps.

lol... grin
0 Votes
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How does that even make sense?
Michael Alan Goff 1st Nov 2010
What is it with you and your irrational hatred of Microsoft? Every company has done bad things, but it seems as though you've devoted your life to coming here to bash Microsoft.
0 Votes
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Poor geoff666 just doesn't get it - clueless
ahh so Updated - 1st Nov 2010
@geoff666
Because they're an ubiquitous monopoly that has too much power, too much control. They don't have a lot of oversight beyond that bogus Justice Department consent decree that was nothing more than a political wrist slap that didn't really change Micro$oft's behavior, anyway. They need to be broken up for anti-trust violations.

If it'll make you feel any better, I would feel the same way towards Apple or Linux if they were in Micro$oft's shoes. Capisco?

Besides, "devoting my life" (as you put it) towards opposing M$ is no worse than your constant shilling and peddling for it.

Why do you constantly defend a product that has over 90% of the desktop market here anyway? Are you really that afraid of what a few detractors will say about it here on zdnet? Will Micro$oft lose marketshare because of what a minority thinks? Are you really that insecure about yourselves?

I hope so. It's a good enough reason to keep coming back, then.

wink
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My real question, was actually
Michael Alan Goff 1st Nov 2010
How do they control the computer? You can download anything you want on Windows, aside from Linux and OSX software (believe me, I've tried for OSX... Safari on Windows is a joke in comparison).
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RE: Microsoft releases another new test build of IE 9
dsfwrryd81-24353642388531374848402453956551 10th Nov
cwrknf,good post!

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