Microsoft today made Internet Explorer available to Windows 7 users, which means Microsoft's 2nd newest operating system now has browser parity with the newest, Windows 8.
The problem with running on old software is, you're always likely to be left behind. In order to coerce consumers into updating or upgrading, the newest software is developed first, and anybody left behind is, well, simply left behind. While those on Windows 8 can already enjoy Internet Explorer 10, anybody still straggling on Windows 7 will still be waiting for the new version, and although it's not quite ready for end-user release, a preview version has now been dropped by Microsoft.
Shortly after Internet Explorer 9 was released back in March, Microsoft began releasing Platform Previews of Internet Explorer 10. These "previews" don't include a user interface beyond a menu bar with a few essential options and therefore can't be used as a standard browser, yet there's a way to bring the engine from the Internet Explorer 10 developer previews to Internet Explorer 9's user interface.
Once the subject of so many jokes, Microsoft's Internet Explorer is experiencing a bit of a revival of late with IE9 being well received amongst Windows users. Now the Redmond outfit is unleashing IE 10, in Platform Preview 1 guise.
