14 DAY TRIAL // With the launch of Internet Explorer 8 Release Candidate 1 at the end of January 2009, Microsoft confirmed that it had delivered the last major development milestone for the browser ahead of RTW. Still, the Redmond company failed to pinpoint the availability deadline for the gold version of the next iteration of Internet Explorer. Making headway toward the RTW (release to web) mark of IE8, Microsoft has reportedly produced Build 8.0.6001.18691 and made the release available to select testers. Leaked information and screenshots on IE8 8.0.6001.18691 indicate that the build could be synonymous with the RTW version of Internet Explorer 8, a scenario that has not been confirmed by the software giant.
The screenshots accompanying this article (courtesy of Wzor) reveal that the latest release of IE8 is indeed a build superseding RC1, which was labeled with the following version number: 8.0.6001.18372. As it was the case with previous releases of IE8, 8.0.6001.18691 is focused on Windows Vista, Windows XP, and inherently on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003. However, the Build does not play well with Beta or pre-RC versions of Windows 7, as the next Windows client comes with its own variant of Internet Explorer 8 by default. Speculation indicates that IE8 Build 8.0.6001.18691, wrapped up on February 21, 2009, is the RTW development milestone of IE7's successor.
With the deadline for IE8's availability still under wraps at Microsoft, and all details concerning the browser's release kept under a tight lid, the company's Internet Explorer RTW plans are up for speculation. In this context, the Redmond company is reportedly looking to launch IE8 RTW to MSDN and TechNet subscribers ahead of the general public. The dates for the potential MSDN and TechNet releases are also unknown. All the while, Microsoft is gearing up for MIX09, its web-centric conference, which is scheduled to debut on March 18 in Las Vegas. In the past, MIX served as the stage for launching IE releases, including IE8 Beta 1, and could very well be synonymous with the general availability of Internet Explorer 8 RTW.
Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) Release Candidate 1 (RC1) is available for download here.
