RIP Internet Explorer: Microsoft will finally retire its web browser TOMORROW – 27 years after it first launched
- Internet Explorer was first launched by Microsoft back in 1995
- Microsoft has gradually shifted away from the software to the new Edge browser
- Support will end on June 15 as bug fixes and updates will stop being rolled out
Microsoft is putting the final nail in the coffin of Internet Explorer, with the legacy web browser set to retire for good tomorrow.
The tech giant has gradually shifted away from the ageing software after 27 years on the scene, starting afresh with the new Edge browser in 2015 to coincide with the launch of Windows 10.
Support for the final version, Internet Explorer 11, has been maintained, even though most people have already moved elsewhere.
By ending support, this means important security updates and bug fixes will no longer be rolled out.
According to Statcounter, just 0.45 per cent of internet users still use the Internet Explorer browser.
Microsoft is putting the final nail in the coffin of Internet Explorer, revealing that the legacy web browser will retire for good tomorrow
The tech giant has gradually shifted away from the ageing software after 27 years on the scene, starting afresh with the new Edge browser in 2015 to coincide with the launch of Windows 10. Bill Gates is pictured at the launch of Internet Explorer back in 1995
What are the most popular browsers?
Google Chrome – 64.95%
Safari – 19.01%
Edge – 3.99%
Firefox – 3.26%
Samsung Internet – 2.85%
Opera – 2.11%
Source: Statcounter
In a blog post explaining the decision last year, Sean Lyndersay, partner group program manager for Microsoft Edge, wrote: ‘Over the last year, you may have noticed our movement away from Internet Explorer (IE) support, such as an announcement of the end of IE support by Microsoft 365 online services.
‘Today, we are at the next stage of that journey: we are announcing that the future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 is in Microsoft Edge.
‘Not only is Microsoft Edge a faster, more secure and more modern browsing experience than Internet Explorer, but it is also able to address a key concern: compatibility for older, legacy websites and applications.’
The firm had already paved the way for Internet Explorer’s demise, ending support for it in the Microsoft Teams web app in 2020.
Thankfully, Edge offers an IE mode for people to view dated websites that may not load properly on modern web browsers.
Mr Lyndersay added: ‘Microsoft Edge has Internet Explorer mode built in, so you can access those legacy Internet Explorer-based websites and applications straight from Microsoft Edge.
‘With Microsoft Edge capable of assuming this responsibility and more, the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will be retired and go out of support on June 15, 2022, for certain versions of Windows 10.’
The news has come as a disappointment to many millennials who grew up using the Internet Explorer web browser.
On Twitter, one user wrote: ‘I haven’t use IE in decades but it was the browser I had for the majority of my childhood. Whether you loved or hated Internet Explorer, it’ll be the end of an era.’
The news has come as a disappointment to many millennials who grew up using the Internet Explorer web browser
Another added: ‘For most of the Millennials like me, Internet explorer was our first gateway & introduction to the internet.’
And one joked: ‘Why am I emotional about the Internet Explorer shutting down?’
Internet Explorer, which was first called Windows Internet Explorer, was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 in 1995.
Internet Explorer was one of the most widely used web browsers, attaining a peak of about 95 per cent during 2002 and 2003.
However, it struggled in the face of competition, and in May 2012 it was announced that Google’s Chrome overtook Internet Explorer as the most used browser worldwide.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF INTERNET EXPLORER
Internet Explorer, which was first called Windows Internet Explorer, was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 in 1995.
Internet Explorer was one of the most widely used web browsers, attaining a peak of about 95 per cent during 2002 and 2003.
However, it struggled in the face of competition, and in May 2012 it was announced that Google’s Chrome overtook Internet Explorer as the most used browser worldwide.
The brand has struggled to shake off the bad reputation of Internet Explorer 6, which was notoriously insecure.
After Internet Explorer 6 was released in 2001, the browser hit its first real speed bump in its digital life.
An alert from the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team warned users in 2004 that holes in Internet Explorer could lead to their passwords and other personal information falling into the hands of hackers.
Microsoft rolled out a fix but security issues continued to grow – causing the firm to eventually decide to kill off the brand.
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