REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 9, 1996 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the immediate worldwide availability of the beta version of Microsoft® Internet Explorer 3.0 for the
Windows® 3.1 operating system. This beta release provides MIS managers and home users a leading range of features while running in as little as 4 MB of memory.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 now puts users of Windows 3.1 a step ahead on the Internet by offering the following new and improved features:
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Low memory requirements. Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows 3.1 offers quick performance and access to current Internet technologies without requiring the latest hardware. Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows 3.1 runs on PCs with 386 processors and 4 MB of RAM, making it a great solution for corporate environments where a mix of hardware is used for connecting users to intranets and the Internet.
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Netscape plug-ins. Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 is compatible with Netscape’s proprietary plug-in technology. This support provides backward compatibility with existing Web content, further enhancing Microsoft Internet Explorer’s broad support for Internet content.
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New Internet Mail Client. Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 introduces users of Windows 3.1 to the new Internet Mail Client, which makes it easy for anyone to start communicating using e-mail. This small, fast client uses SMTP and POP3 protocols to send and receive e-mail messages. All of the options needed to send, receive and reply to e-mail messages are easily accessible, including a new preview pane that enables users to find important information quickly.
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ActiveX Scripting. MicrosoftInternet Explorer 3.0 supports the most comprehensive and language-independent script capabilities, including both the Visual Basic® programming system, Scripting Edition and JScript (Microsoft’s JavaScript-compatible scripting language) for superb interactivity in Web pages. ActiveX
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Scripting can be used by developers to build Web-based applications that can gather data, react to user input and more. -
Improved security with SSL over proxy. Users of Windows 3.1 can now use Internet standards for ensuring private communications. Support of secure sockets layer (SSL) and private communications technology (PCT) standards (SSL 2 support is included in beta 1; SSL 3 and PCT support is planned for final release) ensures that the data cannot be read if intercepted. Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for
Windows 3.1 will also warn users when they’re about to use an unsecured connection and can even check a Web server’s security certificate.
“Microsoft has taken the time and effort to optimize Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows 3.1 while bringing users the step-ahead features Microsoft Internet Explorer is known for,”
said Brad Chase, vice president, developer relations and marketing, Internet platform and tools division at Microsoft.
“Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 delivers a feature-rich browser that runs on the hardware that users of Windows 3.1 have today, and in doing so allows users of Windows 3.1 to experience the great benefits of intranet and Internet technology.”
“With the advent of Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0, our Windows 3.1 customers will be able to take advantage of the most feature-rich Windows 3.1 browser solution available”
said Richard VanDoorn, MIS administrator at Shared Network Services.
“Microsoft is clearly taking the Windows 3.1 browsing experience a step ahead of any other browser out there today.”
Everything Users Need to Connect Today
The Internet Connection Wizard (ICW) for Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 gives users of Windows 3.1 an easy way to sign up with an Internet service provider (ISP) and set up an Internet account. Using Microsoft wizard technology, the Internet Connection Wizard walks users step-by-step through the process of locating an ISP and automatically configures their machine to connect to the Internet. Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows 3.1 also includes a TCP/IP protocol stack and dialer, offering home and corporate users everything they need to get online.
Microsoft Provides Leading-Technology Browser Solutions on Multiple Platforms
The final version of the new Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows 3.1 is scheduled to be available by the end of the year, along with previously announced versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for the Macintosh and UNIX operating systems. Microsoft currently provides version 2.1 of Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows 3.1, which will remain available throughout the beta period. Versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer for other platforms, including
Windows 95 , the Windows NT® operating system and the Macintosh, are available for free download at Microsoft’s Web site, http://www.microsoft.com/ie/ .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, Windows, ActiveX , Visual Basic and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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