Microsoft will distribute Internet Explorer 7 as a high priority update via Automatic Updates (AU) after the final version is released for Windows XP in the fourth quarter of this year.

Alternately, you will be able to visit the Windows Update of Microsoft Update sites and obtain IE7 by performing an Express scan for high-priority updates.

One problem that continues to discourage me to completely switch back to IE from Firefox is the seemingly slower tab browsing function in IE. But that seems to be improving now.

Somehow the IE interface, albeit prettier than that of Firefox, has the bloatware feel to it.

In addition, my Roboform plugin, a password manager and form filler, does not work well in IE too. In certain situation, I have to fill in a form manually, simply irritating.

Let’s wait and see if the stable release for IE7 solves this problem.

[via IE Blog]