The Microsoft product that has been hated and not liked by many and was thought to stay here forever is now coming to its end.
That product is Internet Explorer.
Internet Explorer
This week, it was announced Microsoft that will be ending Internet Explorer 11 support next year on the 15th of July.
This is the final thing needed to finally put Internet Explorer to rest.
In August 2020, Microsoft turned away Internet Explorer, and in 2023 the 365 apps will stop working on Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer was one of the most used web browsers. However, it has been on a steady decline for the last 20 years.
In 2010, the shares of the browser in the market fell lower than the threshold of 50%.
Furthermore, according to NetMarketSahre, it sits at around 5%.
The leading browser at 69% share of the market, is Google Chrome.
In the announcement of putting to rest Internet Explorer, Microsoft said that it was no longer compatible or practical with the web tasks of the modern-day: it is slow and less secure.
It is still a miracle that Internet Explorer has managed to stay for 26 years. Internet Explorer came with Windows to ensure that other apps would not get affected and function as they should. Many Windows 10 owners might not even have noticed that Internet Explorer has been installed on their computers.
It has not yet been made clear whether Internet Explorer will stop installing on Windows by default or not once it gets discontinued by the company. The latest version of Edge browser by Microsoft supports all apps that were built for Internet Explorer, meaning customers will not have to switch between browsers.
Internet Explorer lived and outlived its value.
Microsoft Program Manager for Edge, Sean Lydersay, said:
“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.”
Internet Explorer was a part of Windows 95 and debuted in 1995 and was a hit instantly.
However, its failure to innovate and change with modern times made it slow and hateful. For the last five years, Microsoft has been attempting to switch off the whole Internet Explorer, which now seems to be coming to its end.
Final Verdict
And so, after over 25 years, the end is nigh for Internet Explorer. The once dominant web browser slid into obsolescence, losing relevancy as competition innovated more nimbly. Though it retains some stubborn corporate use, consumer affinity vanished long ago.
Microsoft hopes to ease leftover IE dependencies by baking compatibility into its slick Edge browser. But make no mistake – this discontinuation signals the long-overdue finale for the faded browser. Perhaps we should bid a respectful farewell rather than dance on IE’s grave. Its best-before date expired ages ago, but we owe much of our digital foundation to those early IE pioneers.
So as Internet Explorer inches through its long sunset, let’s offer appreciative remembrance alongside our modern browsers. Every giant stands on the shoulders of giants past. May IE rest in peace.
