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The company unveiled beta 1 - the first test version - in March, which aimed at web developers. The latest version is available to download and targeted towards consumers to let a broader audience get to grips with its features.

Microsoft refused to pin a date to when they will officially

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launch the product, and would not disclose their expectations regarding how many people it expects to download the browser when it is launched. Internet Explorer's market leading position has been chipped into recently, by the success of Mozilla's Firefox browser.

Internet Explorer 8 included some of the popular features found in Firefox 3, such as a smart address bar that remembers and redirects user to website addresses they have visited before.

It also integrates new features, such as the option to switch on "In Private Browsing", which allows users to surf the web without their browsing history, cookies and temporary internet files being recorded. "In Private Blocking" also allows the user to block third parties from monitoring their viewing habits.

The browser also lets users enable "accelerators", which carries out everyday browsing tasks, like mapping directions, translating words, emailing your friends, with fewer mouse clicks.