BREAKING: After 26 Years, Microsoft To Retire Internet Explorer In June 2022

May 20, 2021

Microsoft is putting the final nail in the coffin of Internet Explorer, revealing that the legacy web browser will retire for good in 2022, the Daily Mail of UK reported.

The tech giant has gradually shifted away from the ageing software after some 26 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.

The web browser will be officially retired on June 15 2022, Microsoft said.

In a blog post, Sean Lyndersay, partner group programme manager for Microsoft Edge, explained: “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 last year and with plans to do the same via Microsoft 365 services soon.

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: “Why is this what makes me a twinge sad? Of all things too, never even used internet explorer.”

Another added: “RIP internet explorer. You’ve been my childhood at school back in the days.”

And one joked: “Internet Explorer retiring? I’m sad. How will I download Chrome now?”

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.