Internet Explorer 8 continues to be in Beta 2 stage, with the first (and only) Release Candidate in the baking oven, and Microsoft informed that the next iteration of the browser would be distributed automatically to all supported Windows platforms, with the exception of Windows 7. The Redmond company announced that it would serve Internet Explorer 8 automatically via its Windows Update infrastructure to Windows Vista, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2003 and later.

“We believe IE8 helps make browsing the web faster, easier, safer, and more reliable. To help our users be more secure and up-to-date, we will distribute IE8 via Automatic Update (AU), and the Windows Update (WU), and Microsoft Update (MU) sites much like we did for IE7,” Jane Maliouta, IE program manager, explained.

Essentially, Internet Explorer 8 will be offered as an automatic upgrade to all users of previous versions of IE on the Windows operating systems they are running on top of. Microsoft has, so far, failed to reveal the launch date for IE8 RC, let alone the RTW (release to web) deadline for the browser.

In this regard, the software giant did not provide any details related to when it planned to start distributing Internet Explorer 8 upgrades as automatic updates via AU, WU, and MU. However, just as it was the case with IE7, IE7 RTW will only hit WU and MU after the gold version of the browser will be made available for manual download.

“The IE8 update will be released as the highest priority update for each operating system. For Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, it will be listed as Important. For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, the update will be listed as High Priority. Delivery of IE8 via AU will begin after we make IE8 available from the Microsoft Download Center. Of course, users can always decline to install IE8 through AU when it is offered,” Maliouta added.

As you can very well see from the adjacent screenshots, the Internet Explorer 8 installer served via AU will offer users three options. The browser can be installed immediately, while at the same time offering them the possibility to postpone the deployment, or to hit the Don't Install button, if they decide that they can stick to what they have.

For the time being, Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) Beta 2 is available for download here.