ieneonnew[Correction: This post has been updated since it was originally posted. A Microsoft representative says the plugin-free experience for Netflix and other sites is limited to IE11 on Windows 8.1, and isn’t coming down to Windows 7.]

Microsoft this morning launched a developer preview of Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7, bringing its latest browser to the widely used version of its PC operating system. IE11 had previously been released in preview form for Windows 8.1.

The company is touting a variety of performance and speed enhancements in the new browser, in addition to better standards support. The version on Windows 8.1 supports native HTML5 video for Netflix — which means no more need for the Microsoft Silverlight plugin when streaming videos on the popular site.

Microsoft’s IE leaders had previously hinted at the plans to bring IE11 to Windows 7, but this is the first official confirmation. The developer preview is available for download here.

This Microsoft video details some of the key capabilities for developers in the new browser.

Previously: First look: Internet Explorer 11 ‘continuous browsing’ and Windows 8.1 Reading List

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