After 27 years, Microsoft is finally shutting down its oldest browser - the Internet Explorer (IE), on Wednesday. The once-dominant browser that several web users loved to hate is now joining the BlackBerry phones and flip phones that could not revive their tech fortunes.
The company had been releasing warnings about the shutdown since March. Microsoft is now asking its users to switch to its ‘Edge browser’ - known to provide a faster and more secure browsing experience.
According to a report by Mashable, after the desktop app goes out of support, Microsoft will push out a Windows Update that removes Internet Explorer from Windows 10 devices altogether and redirects users to Edge if they try to access the app.
However, the IE 11 desktop applications on other Windows versions, including Windows 8.1, Windows 7 ESU, Windows SAC, or Windows 10 IoT LTSC, will remain unchanged.
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Goodbyes are never easy.
— Morning Brew ☕️ (@MorningBrew) June 13, 2022
After 27 years, Microsoft will officially be shutting down Internet Explorer starting Wednesday of this week. pic.twitter.com/A8XMKIKQg1
It's time to say goodbye to Internet Explorer. As of Wednesday, Microsoft will no longer support the once-dominant browser that faded away as users found faster, less crash-prone alternatives. https://t.co/fovamIOeNM
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 15, 2022
Microsoft will finally disable Internet Explorer on multiple Windows versions on Wednesday, June 15, almost 27 years after its launchhttps://t.co/Btujrc0WPr
— BleepingComputer (@BleepinComputer) June 13, 2022
First released in 1995 as an add-on package for Windows 95, the browser is being discontinued mainly due to declining users. While the browser had reached around 95 percent of users in 2003, the position declined gradually as new and faster competitors entered the tech market. Several users began complaining that IE was slow, prone to crashing, and vulnerable to hacks.
