Focused on your websites

Internet Explorer 9 is designed to bring your websites forward

The new browser frame makes any website shine.

Designed based on what you use most, the navigational controls in Internet Explorer 9 are streamlined and simplified. The back button is larger, the address bar and search box are combined into one new address bar, and the multiple menus from previous versions of Internet Explorer are consolidated into a single menu. The result? You'll only see what's essential to your browsing experience on the Internet today.

Simplified yet enhanced, the user interface brings sites forward. Characteristics of each website are reflected throughout the browser, allowing you to be more immersed in each site you visit.

See it in action at beautyoftheweb.com.

Hardware-accelerated text, video, and graphics

Hardware-accelerated text, video, and graphics

The new graphic capabilities and improved performance in Internet Explorer 9 set the stage for immersive and rich experiences. Hardware-accelerated text, video, and graphics mean your websites perform like the programs that are installed on your computer. High-definition videos are smooth, graphics are clear and responsive, colors are true, and websites are interactive like never before. With sub-system enhancements like Chakra, the new JavaScript engine, websites and applications load faster and are more responsive. Combine Internet Explorer 9 with the powerful graphics capabilities that Windows 7 has to offer, and you'll get the best web experience on Windows yet. See it in action at beautyoftheweb.com.
Installs faster, starts faster

The shorter, streamlined installation of Internet Explorer 9 is faster than previous versions. It requires fewer decisions on your part, takes less time to load pages, and doesn’t require that you install updates separately. Once it's installed, you're ready to start browsing.

Is Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate right for me?

Before you download the Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate (RC), you should weigh the pros and cons of installing software that's still in development. The "Release Candidate" designation means that Internet Explorer has most of the features that will be included in the final release, but it's still being tested. Information from Release Candidate users will help to make the final product even better. If you install the RC, you'll get to try out the many new features in Internet Explorer 9, but you might also experience a higher frequency of errors than you would using an earlier version of Internet Explorer.

You should consider downloading the Internet Explorer 9 RC if all of the following apply to you:

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You like to use the latest software and enjoy experimenting with new technology.
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You feel comfortable troubleshooting computer problems yourself.
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You don't mind updating software frequently.

You might want to wait for the final release of Internet Explorer 9 if any of the following apply to you:

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You prefer to install software once, and don't want to mess with it again.
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You get frustrated if software doesn't always behave as you expect it to.
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You want to continue using Internet Explorer 8 (Internet Explorer 9 RC replaces it on your computer).
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You rely on assistive technology software, such as a screen reader or screen magnifier, to browse the web.

If you think the Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate is right for you and you want to download it, go to the Internet Explorer 9 page.
Internet Explorer 9 RC system requirements

Computer/Processor

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Computer with a 1 gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.

Operating System

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Windows Vista 32-bit with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or higher
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Windows Vista 64-bit with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or higher

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Windows 7 32-bit or higher
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Windows 7 64-bit or higher

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Windows Server 2008 32-bit with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or higher
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Windows Server 2008 64-bit with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or higher

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Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit

Memory

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Windows Vista 32-bit – 512 megabytes (MB)
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Windows Vista 64-bit – 512 MB

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Windows 7 32-bit – 512 MB
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Windows 7 64-bit – 512 MB

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Windows Server 2008 32-bit – 512 MB
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Windows Server 2008 64-bit – 512 MB

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Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit – 512 MB

Hard Drive Space

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Windows Vista 32-bit – 70 MB
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Windows Vista 64-bit – 120 MB

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Windows 7 32-bit – 70 MB
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Windows 7 64-bit – 120 MB

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Windows Server 2008 32-bit – 150 MB
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Windows Server 2008 64-bit – 200 MB

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Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit – 200 MB

Drive

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CD-ROM drive (if installation is done from a CD-ROM)

Display

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Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors

Peripherals

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Modem or Internet connection
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Microsoft Mouse, Microsoft IntelliMouse, or compatible pointing device