The final version of Internet Explorer 8 will not install on the pre-Beta version of Windows, according to Microsoft. Just as it is the case with Windows Vista and Internet Explorer 7, Windows 7 will come with Internet Explorer 8 as a default component. However, users of Windows 7 pre-beta will only be able to use the IE8 bits that come by default with the testing milestone, and not integrate the standalone variants of the next iteration of IE.

“You will only be able to use the included build of IE8 in the Win 7 pre-beta bits,” revealed an Accessibility PM for IE, during the November 13, 2008 Windows Internet Explorer 8 Expert Zone Chat. The question was whether or not users running Windows 7 pre-beta bits would be able to install IE8 RTW (released to manufacturing) on the third development milestone of the operating system.

Microsoft is reportedly working to finalize Internet Explorer 8 by the end of November 2008. However, the Redmond company continues to not adhere to a final deadline for the delivery of the successor of Internet Explorer 7.

At the same time, it has pushed back the support cut-off date for Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 until December 31, 2008. Initially, support for the second Beta milestone of IE8 was planned to expire on November 1, which further fueled speculation that the gold version of the browser was due by the end of this month.

Still, Microsoft is not committing to anything in this respect. “We haven't announced the next public milestone for IE8. Our schedule is driven by build quality, which we use feedback from the community to help drive,” stated a member of the IE Feedback and Release team.

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