IE7 Re-Released for Windows XP

After reading Sandi's blog post yesterday -- posted while she is on Holiday -- I kept refreshing the IE Team Blog watching for the announcement of the re-release of IE7 for Windows XP. The announcement was finally made this morning {bold added in the quote}:

"Because Microsoft takes its commitment to help protect the entire Windows ecosystem seriously, we’re updating the IE7 installation experience to make it available as broadly as possible to all Windows users. With today’s “Installation and Availability Update,” Internet Explorer 7 installation will no longer require Windows Genuine Advantage validation and will be available to all Windows XP users. If you are not already running IE7, you can get it now from the Internet Explorer home page on Microsoft.com, get a customized version from a third-party site, or, if you haven’t already received it via Automatic Updates, this version will be delivered to you as we described previously. If you are already running IE7, you will not be offered IE7 again by Automatic Updates.
Additionally, we’ve made minor changes to IE7 for Windows XP based on customer feedback:
The menu bar is now visible by default.
The Internet Explorer 7 online tour has updated how-to’s. Also, the “first-run” experience includes a new overview.
We’ve included a new MSI installer that simplifies deployment for IT administrators in enterprises. Learn more about it here.

Thanks,
Steve Reynolds
Program Manager"

Actually, I think this bears repeating: "Internet Explorer 7 installation will no longer require Windows Genuine Advantage validation and will be available to all Windows XP users." With this change, even if you do not have WGA installed, there is no excuse now for Windows XP users not upgrade to IE7. Do it today to take advantage not only of the additional security features, but the other major improvements to Internet Explorer.

Before installing IE7, please see the instructions for Preparing for and Installing IE7.