Internet Explorer 8 Deployment Guide

The Windows® Internet Explorer® 8 Deployment Guide documents the options and processes involved in deploying Internet Explorer 8 to users’ computers that are running Microsoft® Windows Vista® RTM, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows® XP with SP2, or Windows Server® 2003 with SP1 in a network environment. Internet Explorer 8 brings new features to Windows Vista for Internet browsing. These features are not present natively in the Windows Vista® operating system, and Internet Explorer 8 running on Windows XP is almost identical to Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Vista.

The Internet Explorer 8 Deployment Guide briefly describes using the Internet Explorer Administration Kit 8 (IEAK 8) to create an installer package for deployment. For complete documentation about the IEAK 8, refer to the IEAK 8 Help.

To download the IEAK 8, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=160110.
For a complete overview of the features of Internet Explorer 8, refer to the Internet Explorer 8 Feature Overview Guide.

This guide should be used during the planning phase of your Internet Explorer 8 deployment project. The information provides key points of guidance for a deployment project. It is not intended as a step-by-step guide, and not all of the steps described in this guide are necessary for deploying Internet Explorer 8 in every environment.

Some organizations will find that the IEAK 8 covers their needs to customize and configure Internet Explorer 8. Larger organizations that are using software distribution systems such as Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, Microsoft Systems Management Server, or Windows Server Update Services may want to distribute the Internet Explorer 8 Setup file to users’ computers, and then use Group Policy to control the configuration of the browser after deployment of Internet Explorer 8 is complete.

How to deploy Internet Explorer 8

The process of deploying Internet Explorer 8 to your organization's users' computers is organized in this deployment guide as follows:

Step	Page
PLAN: Plan and customize the deployment.	Part 2: Preparing for Deployment Preinstallation Planning outlines how to plan for your deployment. Understanding Customization and Administration describes how to plan for the IEAK 8. Planning the Internet Explorer 8 Deployment details how to plan your deployment processes and strategies. Working with .INF Files discusses how you can use these text files to customize your component installations.
BUILD: Develop a customized build and test your deployment strategy.	Part 2: Preparing for Deployment Setting Up and Administering a Pilot Program discusses how to prepare your users for Internet Explorer 8 through a training program, and describes the testing process for Internet Explorer 8 deployment.
DEPLOY: Deploy Internet Explorer 8.	Part 3: Deploying Internet Explorer 8 Customizing Internet Explorer 8 using IEAK provides guidance for using the IEAK 8 to prepare an installer package for deployment. Installing Internet Explorer 8 details the procedures to follow for your Internet Explorer 8 deployment. It focuses on how to use shared folders, CD, Web, and e-mail procedures effectively, and it explains Group Policy deployment methods. Using Software Distribution Tools to Install Internet Explorer 8 explores methods for using Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to deploy Internet Explorer 8.
OPERATE: Maintain Internet Explorer 8 in your environment.	Part 4: Maintaining and Supporting Internet Explorer 8 Using Automatic Configuration, Automatic Proxy, and Automatic Detection provides an overview of configuration features that make it possible to change many default browser settings globally—without having to change each user's computer. Group Policy and Internet Explorer 8 describes how to manage Internet Explorer 8, and administer system policies and restrictions in your Active Directory environment. Managing Browser Settings with Group Policy Tools explores how to use the IEAK 8 Profile Manager to create and modify IEAK 8 profiles. These profiles use automatic configuration .ins files to update the browser settings on users' computers. Keeping Internet Explorer Updated reviews system management, automatic update, and other tools to deploy updated versions of Internet Explorer 8 to your users' computers. Troubleshooting helps you troubleshoot IEAK 8 packages, Internet Explorer 8 installation, Group Policy settings, and browser features in your corporate environment.