Microsoft has unveiled Release Candidate 1 of Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP. The update replaces the Beta 3 released in June. 

A Microsoft 'release candidate' indicates the phase between a beta version and the final product.

Microsoft has encouraged web developers, computer enthusiasts and IT professionals to finish testing the application and prepare for launch.

IE7 Release Candidate 1 is available in English only for now. Additional languages will be added in September, including the first Spanish and French versions.

The final product is slated for release later this year. It will be distributed as a 'high priority' update through the automatic update feature built into Windows.

Enterprises will be able to prevent the tool from installing through a special 'Blocker Toolkit'.