Microsoft has issued an update designed to take to the next level the Compatibility View List for the copies of Internet Explorer 8 that ship as default components of Windows 7 client and Windows Server 2008 R2. The refresh is designed to integrate seamlessly with IE8 running on top of the Release candidate builds of Microsoft's next iterations of Windows client and Server operating systems. Essentially, the Redmond company is attempting to make the user experience as smooth as possible in scenarios involving content designed especially for IE6 and IE7 that is viewed in Internet Explorer 8. “To take advantage of this update, you must have “Include updated website lists from Microsoft” selected in Internet Explorer’s Compatibility View Settings,” Microsoft informed.

There are no less than four updates available for IE8 in Windows 7 client and server releases, each tailored to specific flavors of the operating systems. With the introduction of Internet Explorer 8, Microsoft opted to deliver a higher level of modern web standards support compared to previous versions of the browser. Still, because of how content had to be bent and adapted to IE6 and IE7 in order to work, in particular because of lack of modern web standards support, Microsoft built multiple rendering engines in IE8, but also provided the browser with Compatibility View capabilities designed to play nice with websites built for its precursors.

“Windows Internet Explorer 8 improves browser interoperability and advances the Web by delivering a better implementation of Web standards. While this is a move in the right direction, users might encounter compatibility issues with some sites that still rely on the behavior of previous versions of Internet Explorer. Microsoft understands the shift towards standards compatibility with Internet Explorer 8 may take some time to complete for each organization or webmaster. To bridge this transition, we offer the Compatibility View list. The list helps make websites designed for older browsers look better in Internet Explorer 8,” the software giant added.

- Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows 7 Release Candidate for x64-based Systems (KB971180)
- Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows 7 Release Candidate for x64-based Systems (KB971180)
- Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Candidate R2 Release Candidate x64 Edition (KB971180)
- Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Candidate R2 Release Candidate x64 Edition (KB971180)

Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) RTW is available for download here (for 32-bit and 64-bit flavors of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008).