Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 has arrived.

The software giant has spent a year perfecting its latest and greatest browser, after originally unveiling the first IE9 developer Platform Preview a year ago on March 16. Internet Explorer 9 development has been fast paced. The company announced and released the original beta in September and a Release Candidate in February. Microsoft’s final version, available today, is only six months after the first beta. Microsoft’s shockingly quick browser turnaround is something that the company will focus on for future versions. Internet Explorer 9 is the beginning of unbundling the browser from Windows builds and marks the start of a fast pace development process to provide regular updates going forwards.

Microsoft revealed earlier this month that users have downloaded 36 million copies of Internet Explorer 9 since its beta release in September. The software maker launched its final development milestone version of Internet Explorer 9 on February 10. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 includes an enhanced UI, HTML5 support, hardware accelerated browsing and some great security improvements. Microsoft has included Tracking Protection in Internet Explorer 9. The new privacy feature allows consumers to address their concerns about being tracked on the web. Internet Explorer 9 offers users a new opt-in mechanism to identify and block many forms of undesired tracking such as cookies, web beacons, advertisements and trackers. Tracking protection involves lists that can be published online. Microsoft’s second security enhancement is the ability to block ActiveX controls. Internet Explorer 9 includes an “ActiveX filter” option. The filter allows users to switch off ActiveX elements within their session, furthering Microsoft’s commitment to security within its browser.

Microsoft’s latest browser includes some great improvements for end users too. Improved tabbing, pinning and HTML5 support will make the web more beautiful claims Microsoft. The software giant has partnered with some big names to show off just what Internet Explorer 9 is capable off and it’s likely that hundreds more will follow in the coming months. Microsoft isn’t stopping at Internet Explorer 9 though. The company plans to bring its improvements to the mobile space. Windows Phone 7 will include a mobile version of IE9 later this year. The company will also ship regular Platform Previews to keep developers ready for the next versions of Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer 9 is just the start.

Download links for Internet Explorer 9:

Windows  7 (x86 version)

Windows 7 (x64 version)

Windows Vista (x86 version)

Windows Vista (x64 version)