Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview is available

Not one to release early, release often, Microsoft has made IE7 Beta 2 Preview publicly available. It will only install on Windows XP SP2 and requires you to complete the "Windows Genuine Advantage" process.

You may be able to install side-by-side with IE6 like IE7B1 (which coincidentally, avoids the WGA process. Keep in mind that an install like this will almost likely cause some side-effects; it did for Beta 1.

This is a small step before a full-on public roll-out and the release of this beta allows us web-devs to fix up any issues with our sites before the general public gets their hands on it.

Published January 31, 2006 · Updated September 14, 2006
Categorized as Quick Links
Short URL: https://snook.ca/s/515

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Ben Kennedy said on January 31, 2006

For those of us who don't use Windows, what is the "Windows Genuine Advantage process"?

Jonathan Snook said on January 31, 2006

It's the fun part where Microsoft checks to make sure you're running a legit copy of Windows.

Ben Kennedy said on February 01, 2006

Interesting. I thought that IE was supposed to no longer be part of the operating system, so what basis is there to be validating your underlying OS? ;)

Justin Makeig said on February 01, 2006

I made the mistake of installing the IE7 beta over IE6 in Win XP. I was able to revert, however, by running C:\windows\$NtUninstallie7beta1$\spuninst\spunist.exe.
Your mileage may vary.

Matthew Pennell said on February 01, 2006

...the release of this beta allows us web-devs to fix up any issues with our sites...

Of which there may be quite a few - it's not looking too good at the moment; I feel quite lucky that I've only got a fairly small portfolio...

Matthias said on February 02, 2006

hey Justin, you could've reverted as well by finding your way to add/remove programs and ticking the from-me-up-until-yesterday-ignored "show updates" in the top right.

Yes I did spend 20 minutes on finding out how to uninstall ie7b2.

I just tested the iexplore.exe.local approach you suggested for beta1, it works fine with me. But let's not forget: That doesn't mean it works on any other machine, or that I didn't just fuck up my opportunity to install the final version once it's out.

Matthias said on February 03, 2006

Ah. Nevermind my previous comment. It's all fine until the next reboot, and then every url you type into IE6 is opened in what's set as your standard browser, Firefox in my case. This change, a registry change I presume, happens when you first start up the manual copy of IE7.

Good thing to have System restore points...

Sorry, comments are closed for this post. If you have any further questions or comments, feel free to send them to me directly.