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.

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

BUILD: Develop a customized build and test your deployment strategy.

Part 2: Preparing for Deployment

DEPLOY: Deploy Internet Explorer 8.

Part 3: Deploying Internet Explorer 8

OPERATE: Maintain Internet Explorer 8 in your environment.

Part 4: Maintaining and Supporting Internet Explorer 8