Most of us learned how to use the internet in school using Internet Explorer (IE). For many children growing up, having access to the internet and using the Explorer browser was a luxury. However, the Internet explorer’s 27-year voyage will end on June 15, when it will be discontinued. The company has been issuing warnings to people and organizations that are still depending on the browser’s functionality for the past few months. In March, a similar warning was issued.
Why is Microsoft Retiring Explorer?
Internet Explorer experienced an enormous boost in popularity in 2003 before falling out of favor when competing browsers joined the market. Competitors with great usability and features like Chrome, Firefox, Bing, and Edge were launched, which caused a shift in users. These days, nobody uses IE, unless it’s the last resort available. Moreover, since 2016, the company has issued none substantial updates and now has decided to end Internet Explorer.
Interesting Facts about Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer has had a complex history. It wasn’t always the standout browser for years. However, the community will be affected by the end of Internet Explorer as this program was well-known, whether through online browsing or memes. Let’s have a look at some fascinating facts about this browser.
- Internet Explorer was the dominating player in the browser market.
Internet Explorer achieved the 95 percent market share figure during its peak years of 2002–2003, and it is a mark that no browser, including Chrome, has surpassed.
- It’s nearly tough to uninstall Internet Explorer.
Microsoft not only integrated Internet Explorer into Windows but also made it very difficult to uninstall it. Because Internet Explorer is so firmly intertwined into Windows, removing it will damage many other Windows capabilities, and performance may suffer.
- We can view some online pages only on Internet Explorer.
Many older websites still use ActiveX, and as ActiveX is only available in Internet Explorer, these sites can only be viewed in that browser.
- One of the first mobile web browsers was Internet Explorer.
IE was also available on Microsoft’s mobile operating systems in the early days of Internet-connected phones, such as Windows CE 1.0, which was introduced in 1996 as Pocket Internet Explorer (PIE).
Will Microsoft Edge take over?
Microsoft will release a Windows Update that will eliminate Internet Explorer from Windows 10 devices, redirecting users to Edge if they attempt to use it. Sean Lyndersay, Microsoft Edge program manager, states “The future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 lies in Microsoft Edge. Not only is Microsoft Edge a quicker, more secure, and more contemporary browsing experience than Internet Explorer, but it also addresses a crucial concern: compatibility for older, legacy websites and applications.”
Internet Explorer has created many memories for us, but maybe it is not a bad thing after all. IE did its part perfectly by acting as an anchor, and now it is finally the time to pass on the baton to Edge.
Also Read: Microsoft adds ‘KB4501375 version’ to Windows 10 1903
