Internet Explorer is a popular web browser. It was developed in 1995 by Microsoft. The company has decided to pull the plug now. Internet Explorer is set to retire after 25 years of services. Microsoft said that the browser will retire in June this year. The development is significant as Microsoft is moving away from the support for Internet Explorer since the last year. The company in a statement said that Internet Explorer 11 desktop will stop providing services starting June 15. It added that Microsoft Edge is now fully capable of taking responsibility. The company had last year asked Windows users to shift from Internet Explorer to Edge browser.
Internet Explorer was a widely used browser in the world 15 years ago. According to the company’s claim, the browser in 2003 attained a peak of more than 95 percent usage share across the world. Its popularity started to decline after the launch of Firefox and Google Chrome. Firefox was introduced in 2004. Google Chrome was launch in 2008. The two gained immense popularity to become favorite mobile browsers. The two have support for Android and iOS. But these mobile operating systems do not have support for Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. Microsoft recommended to Internet Explorer users to shift to Microsoft Edge before June 15 to keep browsing.
Microsoft said that the Edge will give a new experience to the user as it is faster and more secure. It comes with all the modern browsing options. It addresses concerns like compatibility for older, legacy websites and applications. The company said that web developers should plan an orderly movement. Microsoft has added an Internet Explorer mode in Edge. The Internet Explorer mode is built-in. It will provide support till 2029. This will allow users to access Internet Explorer-based websites and applications. Microsoft said that it will serve one year of notice to users before ending the Internet Explorer mode from Edge. Microsoft had in 2020 ended Internet Explorer 11’s support for its Teams web application.
