Microsoft has officially released its Internet Explorer 7 browser for public download.

The software giant touted the browser's improved security with a built-in anti-phishing filter, and default settings preventing the installation of ActiveX objects.

The browser also copies several popular features from Mozilla's open source Firefox browser, such as an integrated search box and tabs that allow users to organise multiple web pages in a single window.

Microsoft is also catching up with recent changes to internet standards such as CSS and HTML.

Redmond has released multiple test versions of the browser in recent months, giving developers ample time to ensure the compatibility of online applications.

But critics have warned that not all application developers will meet today's launch deadline, maintaining that the Internet Explorer 7 release will bring a flood of support calls to help desks and internet providers.

Microsoft downplayed any compatibility concerns and instead touted online services that support the new browser including PayPal and VeriSign. The company is also offering free phone support for users in North America until 1 November 2007.

Internet Explorer 7 requires Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Windows XP Pro 64 Edition or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. The software is available in English only for now. Additional languages are slated for release in the coming weeks.

Users can download the application directly from Microsoft's IE website. Microsoft will require you to validate Windows before passing the link to download Internet Explorer. Incase you like to skip the mandatory WGA check, here's the direct link to download IE 7 that requires no authentication.

The software will also be automatically pushed out to users as a 'high priority update' within the next few weeks. Internet Explorer 7 will prompt the user before installation and enterprises will be able to disable the download altogether, preventing any compatibility issues.

Yahoo has also released a customized version of IE 7 that has the Yahoo! Homepage and Yahoo! News set as default pages. This Yahoo-branded IE version also has Yahoo! Search set as the default search engine and the Yahoo! toolbar is also factory-installed. Click here to Download Yahoo! IE 7.0.

The application was originally scheduled to ship as part of the forthcoming Windows Vista operating system.

Citing growing concerns over the security of the internet, Microsoft said in February 2005 that it would separate the two launches and release the browser that summer. Both launches have since been delayed.

The new browser comes at a time when Microsoft is facing increasing competition from Firefox. Recent market share figures showed IE7's market share declining to 82.1 per cent of the world wide browser market as Firefox grew to 12.5 per cent.

Mozilla is expected to launch a major revision of its browser with the Firefox 2.0 release later this month.

The open source project issued a third release candidate earlier this week and has said that it will ship the final product on 24 October.