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It says that IE7 will ship in Windows XP in Q4 of this year, shortly followed by AU distribution to all 'genuine Windows customers'.

Installation of the new browser will not be compulsory. Although rated as a high priority, users will have the option to not install IE7, and will not be prompted further to install it.

Microsoft has also announced a Blocker Toolkit so that larger companies can stop their Windows clients installing the new version. The Toolkit is available now from the Microsoft Download Center and has no expiration date.

Installing the final release of IE7 will uninstall previous betas of the browser, enabling users to roll back to version 6 via Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel.

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IE7 will not be distributed for Windows 2000 users, and anyone with AU turned off will not be prompted to install the new browser.

The installation routine will preserve all current toolbars, home page, search settings and favourites, claim the developers.

IE7 is unlikely to be included in any future service packs for Windows XP. Historically, new versions of the browser haven't been included, and SP4 for Windows 2000, for example, includes IE5 and not version 6.

Comments on the announcement have been mixed. While many welcomed IE7 nearing completion, others were concerned that a Q4 launch was too soon for a product still in beta.

'As a developer I love this... However, seeing how many bugs and compatibility issues still exist with IE7, I see this as a nightmare for supporting various apps currently available and websites (web apps) too,' read one comment.

Microsoft will understandably be pushing hard to get as much of its customer base onto IE7, given the security problems that have plagued previous versions. For example, IE7 includes extra features such as a phishing filter, to help detect fraudulent websites.

Microsoft has also made efforts to collaborate on security issues with developers behind rival browsers such as Konqueror and Firefox.