Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 finally released

Martin Brinkmann
Feb 26, 2013
Updated • Feb 27, 2013
Internet Explorer
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Microsoft just a few seconds ago released Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7. The web browser that got initially released for Windows 8 last year, and then later on as a preview version for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, has been much awaited by the Internet community.

It is important that Windows 7 users pick the right download of the web browser. The 32-bit version of Internet Explorer 10 can only be installed on 32-bit versions of Windows 7, while the 64-bit version is reserved to 64-bit versions. The 64-bit version is almost double in size with its 42.3 MB than the 32-bit version with its 22.0 MB.

The following system requirements are required to install IE10:;

  • CPU: at least 1 GHz with support for PAE, NX and SSE2
  • RAM: at least 512 MB of memory
  • Hard Drive: at least 70 MB of storage space for 32-bit versions, and 120 MB for 64-bit versions
  • Windows 7: Service Pack 1 installed

internet explorer 10 screenshot

Please note that you may need to reboot your system before all functionality becomes available.

So what is new in IE10 for Windows 7? Microsoft back in October mentioned that the browser would offer better performance, developer capabilities, improved real-world site performance and better standards support than Internet Explorer 8 or 9 on the operating system.

The web browser is scoring 320 and 6 bonus points in the HTML5 test which gives an indication on how well - or not - HTML features are supported. That is a lot better than Internet Explorer 9's 138 and 5 bonus points but still trailing browsers such as Chrome 24 with its 448 and 13 bonus points, Opera 12.10 with its 419 and 9 bonus points or Firefox 19's 393 points and 10 bonus points. Still the gap has been closed considerable and that is a good sign for Internet Explorer users.

Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 does not ship with a native version of Adobe Flash which makes it similar to the desktop version of the browser on Windows 8 which also does not ship with native Flash support.

For users of IE8 or IE9, Internet Explorer 10 is definitely an improvement in many regards including performance and standards support. While Microsoft's browser is still trailing behind other browsers, and sometimes even in front depending on which benchmark and test you run, it is fair to say that the company managed to close a wide gap with the release.

Note that IE10 will not be released for Vista or previous client or server versions of the Windows operating system.

My personal recommendation: upgrade if you can even if you are not using Internet Explorer.

What's new in Internet Explorer 10

Apart from better web standards support and performance, IE10 users do benefit from a number of features that Microsoft added to the browser.

The browser supports Do Not Track now and sends the header by default to all sites you connect to. This caused some controversy with companies like Yahoo stating that they would not honor Microsoft's Do Not Track implementation. The core reason for that is that the feature has been designed as a conscious choice. To find the setting tap on the Alt key in the browser and select Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Security > Always send Do Not Track header.

IE10 do not track screenshot

The second feature worth writing about is the inclusion of a spell-checking and auto-correction module in the browser. Microsoft's Internet browser did not support spell checking up until now, and you had to resort to extensions such as IE7 Pro to add spell-checking to IE9 and previous versions.

Here is how you can disable the spelling correction feature of Internet Explorer if you find it too obtrusive. Tap on the Alt key again, and select Tools > Manage Add-ons from the menu at the top.

Here you find spelling correction listed under add-on types. The installed languages are displayed here by default. You can click on Get more Spelling Dictionaries online to install dictionaries for other languages. Here you can also disable the spelling correction feature.

internet explorer 10 spelling correction screenshot

Blocking automatic updates

If you do not want to use Internet Explorer 10 on your computer or network of PCs yet, you may be interested in blocking the automatic update delivery so that it is not automatically installed on the system.

Internet Explorer 32-bit or 64-bit?

Note that Microsoft's Internet Explorer 10 runs in a 64-bit and 32-bit hybrid mode on 64-bit versions of Windows 7. To change that, enable Enhanced Protected Mode in the Internet Options. This breaks plugins that are only compatible with the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer.

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Comments

  1. Pravin said on March 4, 2013 at 10:46 pm
    Reply

    How can i install IE10 in my laptop having hybrid graphics system?

  2. jones said on March 2, 2013 at 9:45 pm
    Reply

    I didn’t install the new browser, but did install a program called ‘Winroll’ which allows you to right click any window title bar to roll it up to the title bar. Or Middle click the close button to toggle between stay on top when the window loses focus. It does a few other things…
    It weighs in at 8k in the model I downloaded and will be much more useful than IE10. :)

  3. Alan said on February 28, 2013 at 8:19 am
    Reply

    I loaded IE10 on my two laptops yesterday, no problem. I like the “do not track” feature, and the spell checking should be sweet! A few months ago I removed IE9 and downloaded Firefox on one laptop. What a mistake! The Mozilla download, for whatever reason, frapped up a bunch of my files. I worked on that laptop for days, finally had to restore from a previous month. Absoultely no support from Mozilla….none. I guess all browsers have their quirks from time to time. I’ll stick with the quirks I know…IE.

  4. Pierre said on February 27, 2013 at 9:24 am
    Reply

    Strange and I don’t understand :

    I’l in W7 64 bits and that’s right the edition executed by default (in the shortcut in start menu) is is the one contained in “program files” but it really seems this edition is a 32 bits one : there are 2 processes : a “small” 64 bits one and a “big” 32 one.
    This program seems compatible with 32 bits plugins (the former IE9 64 bits was not)

    Exactly the same occurs when you run the version contained in program files (x86), double-ckicking on it.

    Can somebody explain it to me ?

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on February 27, 2013 at 11:01 am
      Reply

      Pierre, this explains what is going on: https://www.ghacks.net/2012/08/24/want-to-run-64-bit-internet-explorer-on-windows-8s-desktop-here-is-how/

      It is for Windows 8 but the same should apply to Windows 7 as well.

      1. Pierre said on February 27, 2013 at 12:52 pm
        Reply

        yes, that’s right
        (In French “enhanced protected mode” = “activer le mode protégé amélioré” and the internet options are not exactly the same as in W8)
        Now the 2 processes are in 64.
        And the same occurs if you run the program contained in program files (x86)
        Thks again

      2. Pierre said on February 27, 2013 at 11:11 am
        Reply

        Thks a lot, Martin, for your article and I understand now.
        Why don’t IE authors (and FF authors) apply the excellent method of Opera 64 bits, compatible with plugins 32 with separate processes “oopp” (out of process plugins) ?

  5. Lindsay said on February 27, 2013 at 2:12 am
    Reply

    Why on earth is PAE a system requirement?

  6. ilev said on February 27, 2013 at 12:48 am
    Reply

    @Julia,

    Parts of IE are deeply integrated into Windows, that is why you can’t uninstall IE, just disable parts of it. Due to this, it is highly recommended to update to the latest version of IE , just as it is recommended to update Windows with security updates.
    I myself use Chrome as my default browser.

    1. Julia said on February 27, 2013 at 2:07 am
      Reply

      @ilev: Thank you so much for yr clarifying answer! Now I finally know!!!

  7. Sleeping said on February 26, 2013 at 7:52 pm
    Reply

    Just a quick note: to integrate it into Windows 7 ISO, remember that these updates are needed for IE10 to work.
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2818833

  8. Paul(us) said on February 26, 2013 at 4:31 pm
    Reply

    Hallo Martin, Thank your ferry much for your quick info and excellent article.

    Everything works fine, on main Windows 7 64 bit with SP1, I noticed however that I now have one IE-10 and not a 32 -bit IE9 and a 64 bit IE-9 anymore.

    Question 1:
    Do I understand it correctly that the version that I now have installed is a 64 bit version browser (I ask this because there is no comment anymore in the browser)?

    Question 2:
    Why this change, does every website/ everything works fine with the new IE-10 64 bit version that I have installed now and do I not need a 32 bit version IE 10 for certain websites any more?

    p.s. I also installed today the today released Adobe Flash Player 11.6.602.171

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on February 27, 2013 at 2:39 am
      Reply

      Paulus, if you check your program files and program files (x86) folder you will notice that each contains an Internet Explorer folder. While I had no time to verify why that is, I’d assume that the x86 folder contains the 32-bit version of the browser, and the other folder the 64-bit version.

  9. Julia said on February 26, 2013 at 3:27 pm
    Reply

    Sorry for this question ( I still havn’t found the answer):
    Do I need to update IE even if I do not use it and it is deactiveted in the “Windows-functions”? I have two laptops Win7 64 bit, both using Firefox as standard-browsers. I have googled myself dizzy again and again and I don’t get the ultimate answer. “ilev”‘s earlier comment seems to toggle that question. PLEASE, you wizards out there: tell me!

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on February 26, 2013 at 3:43 pm
      Reply

      Julia, Microsoft provides clarification here on this url:

      http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-turn-internet-explorer-off

      Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows RT also include functionality that allows users to turn off Internet Explorer. If Internet Explorer is turned off, it’s not available for use by any users on the computer and can’t be launched for any reason, even if no other browser is available on the system. The program files to launch and use Internet Explorer are removed to a separate storage location as a backup copy so that a user can turn Internet Explorer back on if the user wishes to do so later.

      When Internet Explorer is turned off using this feature there is minimal impact on third-party programs (and other parts of Windows itself) that call upon Internet Explorer app services, because the Internet Explorer files that provide functionality to third parties and other parts of Windows are left intact.

      1. Julia said on February 26, 2013 at 4:04 pm
        Reply

        Thanks Martin for your super-quick answer. Nevertheless: THAT knowledge I managed to reach already. Still- it’s so wishy-washy.
        Please tell me: do I need to update IE (even its functionality is deactivated and I do not use it). Obviously SOME things ARE using IE????!!!
        Tell me: I can forget it or not???????????????????

      2. Martin Brinkmann said on February 27, 2013 at 2:41 am
        Reply

        I can’t answer that question with 100% certainty as I do not really know if Microsoft is distributing updates to these core components of IE that remain active or not automatically. I would do the upgrade just to be on the safe side of things. Maybe someone from Microsoft could help us clarify that issue.

  10. franz said on February 26, 2013 at 2:33 pm
    Reply

    This time I updated to IE10 using microsoft update and got the same error and non-start of IE10 after reboot. No other optional or priority updates listed. Fool me twice, shame on me.

  11. ilev said on February 26, 2013 at 1:42 pm
    Reply

    Remember, there is an out-of-band HUGE update today (Windows 7 500MB +) for Windows 7,8,RT, Servers…

    1. franz said on February 26, 2013 at 1:48 pm
      Reply

      hmmm.. I just checked for the big update and it wasn’t there. However IE10 for win7 does come as a 69 MB optional update. Why not?

      1. ilev said on February 26, 2013 at 1:50 pm
        Reply

        http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894199

        Tuesday, February 26, 2013

        This is a summary of the new and changed content to be released on Tuesday, February 26, 2013.
        New non-security content:

        Platform update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (KB2670838)

        Locale: All
        Deployment: Recommended/Automatic Updates, WSUS, and Catalog
        Classification: Feature Packs
        Supersedes: KB2741355
        Target platforms: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
        Approximate file sizes:
        Windows 7 update: ~ 5718KB
        Windows 7 x64/ Windows Server 2008 R2 x64-Edition update: ~ 11519KB

        Description:
        Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
        http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2670838
        Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (KB2718695)

        Locale: All
        Deployment: Important/Automatic Updates
        Classification: High Priority, Non-Security, Update Rollups
        Target platforms: Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2
        Approximate file sizes:
        Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 update: ~ 88942KB
        Internet Explorer 10 for Windows Server 2008 R2 update: ~ 88942KB
        Description:
        Internet Explorer 10 is fast and fluid, and lets your websites shine and perform just like native apps on your PC.
        Internet Explorer 10. Fast and fluid for Windows 7.
        Fast. Internet Explorer 10 harnesses the untapped power of your PC, delivering pages full of vivid graphics, smoother video, and interactive content.
        Easy. Experience the web the way you want to with pinned sites, built-in Spellcheck, and seamless integration with your PC running Windows 7.
        Safer. Improved features like SmartScreen Filter and Tracking Protection let you be more aware of threats to your PC and your privacy.
        http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=281969
        Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (KB2718695)

        Locale: All
        Deployment: Optional/Automatic Updates
        Classification: Updates, Non-Security
        Target platforms: Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2
        Approximate file sizes:
        Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 update: ~ 88942KB
        Internet Explorer 10 for Windows Server 2008 update: ~ 88942KB
        Description:
        Internet Explorer 10 is fast and fluid, and lets your websites shine and perform just like native apps on your PC.
        Internet Explorer 10. Fast and fluid for Windows 7.
        Fast. Internet Explorer 10 harnesses the untapped power of your PC, delivering pages full of vivid graphics, smoother video, and interactive content.
        Easy. Experience the web the way you want to with pinned sites, built-in Spellcheck, and seamless integration with your PC running Windows 7.
        Safer. Improved features like SmartScreen Filter and Tracking Protection let you be more aware of threats to your PC and your privacy.
        http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=281969
        Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (KB2718695)

        Locale: All
        Deployment: Optional/Automatic Updates and Catalog
        Classification: Updates, Non-Security
        Target platforms: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2
        Approximate file sizes:
        Internet Explorer 10 Language Packs for Windows 7 update: ~ 88942KB
        Internet Explorer 10 Language Packs for Windows Server 2008 R2 update: ~ 88942KB
        Description:
        The Internet Explorer 10 Language Packs install language specific resource files, allowing users to view the user interface of Internet Explorer 10 in a different supported language. This update will install Internet Explorer 10 language packs for all supported languages that are installed on your Windows machine. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows 7 License Terms.
        http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=281969
        Update Rollup for Windows Server 2012 Essentials (KB2781267)

        Locale: All
        Deployment: Important/Automatic Updates, WSUS, and Catalog
        Classification: High Priority, Non-Security, Update Rollups
        Target platforms: Windows Server 2012
        Approximate file sizes:
        Update Rollup for Windows Server 2012 Essentials update: ~ 56593KB

        Description:
        Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this cumulative update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
        http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2781267
        Update for Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Server 2012 (KB2794599)

        Locale: All
        Deployment: Recommended/Automatic Updates, WSUS, and Catalog
        Classification: Updates, Non-Security
        Supersedes: KB2780541 on Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Server 2012
        Target platforms: Windows 8, Windows RT*, and Windows Server 2012
        Approximate file sizes:
        Windows 8 update: ~ 647KB
        Windows 8 x64/Windows Server 2012 x64 update: ~ 904KB
        Windows RT update: ~ 722KB

        Description:
        Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
        http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2794599
        Update for Windows 8 (KB2818604)

        Locale: All
        Deployment: Important/Automatic Updates, WSUS, and Catalog
        Classification: High Priority, Non-Security
        Target platforms: Windows 8
        Approximate file sizes:
        Update for Windows 8 for x64-based Systems (KB2818604): ~ 59KB
        Description:
        Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
        http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2818604
        System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Vista (KB947821) [February 2013]

        Locale: All
        Deployment: Important/Automatic Updates, WSUS, and Catalog
        Classification: High Priority, Non-Security
        Supersedes: KB947821 on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Vista
        Target platforms: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Vista
        Approximate file sizes:
        System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 [February 2013] update: ~ 146799KB
        System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 x64/Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 [February 2013] update: ~ 387884KB
        System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Server 2008 R2 IA-64 [February 2013] update: ~ 63138KB
        System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Server 2008/Windows Vista [February 2013] update: ~ 132336KB
        System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Server 2008 IA-64 [February 2013] update: ~ 48112KB
        System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Server 2008 x64/Windows Vista x64 [February 2013] update: ~ 183233KB

        Description:
        This tool is being offered because an inconsistency was found in the Windows servicing store which may prevent the successful installation of future updates, service packs, and software. This tool checks your computer for such inconsistencies and tries to resolve issues if found.
        http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821

  12. Paul B. said on February 26, 2013 at 1:30 pm
    Reply

    I hope this is better than the beta, which was a disaster here on Win7 x86. I wonder why the install file, already 22MB, is doing an extended download before it installs.

  13. franz said on February 26, 2013 at 1:03 pm
    Reply

    Didn’t expect to be impressed and wasn’t let down. Installed the 64-bit version on my bootcamped macbook pro and on my HP desktop running win7-64b. After installations, both machines threw up an error message after reboot. IE would not start and gave no indication of running memory using taskmanager. Some investigation revealed a potential hotfix corresponding to the error code. Installed that, after reboot no error code but IE again refused to start. I ended up uninstalling the IE10 “update” to revert back to IE9, normally I use chromium developer as default.

  14. beemeeup said on February 26, 2013 at 12:20 pm
    Reply

    Awesome! I hope it can be integrated into the Windows 7 ISO like IE9 can.

  15. David said on February 26, 2013 at 11:26 am
    Reply

    Does the preview version need to be uninstalled before installing the final?

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on February 26, 2013 at 11:34 am
      Reply

      No it does no.

  16. ilev said on February 26, 2013 at 11:19 am
    Reply

    Users of Windows 7 need to install IE10 even if not using it as many core applications are using IE in the background.

  17. Davin Peterson said on February 26, 2013 at 9:50 am
    Reply

    System Requirements say it will work on Windows Server 2008 R2

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on February 26, 2013 at 11:01 am
      Reply

      That is correct.

  18. Jim said on February 26, 2013 at 9:37 am
    Reply

    Meh. We’re still stuck with IE 8 here at work. I suspect I’m like many users who are forced to use IE at work because of various policies, but use a “real” browser at home.

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