Browser shoot-out: IE 7 v Firefox 2

Robert Vamosi CNET

Published: 31 Oct 2006

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Go to section: Introduction Installation Look and community Tabbed browsing Cool new features Security and performance The winner is...

Installation

Here's where we examine the overall process of upgrading or installing the two browsers. Our individual judges' ratings are based on a 0-to-5-point scale, which results in a final score of 0 to 15 per round.

 

Internet Explorer 7

Rafe:
Installing IE 7 requires a reboot and takes forever. Plus the download is giant, and you have to turn off your virus scanner. My installation went smoothly, but I got the feeling IE was reprogramming my computer's DNA as it worked.
Score  2

Peter:
The IE 7 installer asks users to temporarily disable their antivirus and anti-spyware protection, which doesn't inspire confidence. Installing IE 7 requires Windows validation, a restart, and a connection to Microsoft servers, which significantly slows down the process.
Score  1

Elsa:
IE 7's installation recommended that we back up important files, close all programs, and eventually restart, while Firefox asked us only to close the old Firefox. And Microsoft checked that we were running a valid copy of Windows XP before we could download IE 7, which felt intrusive (if not insulting) next to the hands-off Firefox installation. But I'm not crazy about IE 7 or Firefox creating browser icons by default for my Windows XP desktop, Start Menu folder, and Quick Launch bar; you'll have to uncheck those during installation if you don't want the shortcuts.
Score  2

Total:  5

 

Firefox 2

Rafe:
Firefox, on the other hand, is a small download and installs in about 30 seconds, no reboots or gene sequencing required.
Score  5

 Peter:
Installation of Firefox 2 was much faster and easier, completing in a minute or two. It scanned my old version for incompatible extensions, and then updated any that were available. Firefox 2 did not include my custom-created search engines, only those defaulted by Mozilla. Any custom engines need to be manually moved into the Searchplugins directory.
Score  4

Elsa:
Firefox was a faster download, plus it migrated every toolbar and all but one of my dozen bookmarklets from Firefox 1 without a hitch.
Score  4

Total:  13

Go to section: Introduction Installation Look and community Tabbed browsing Cool new features Security and performance The winner is...

• 
• 
• 
•