Microsoft has finally announced the retirement of its oldest browser, Internet Explorer after 27 years of service. It was first released in 1995 as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95.
Internet Explorer Is Officially Retiring
Microsoft has said that it will end mainstream support for the aging browser and it will finally retire in peace. As per the company information, Internet Explorer will be rendered unserviceable from June 15, 2022.
The reports claim that even after witnessing a huge peak with a usage of 95 percent share back in 2003, the browser was still not able to hold the position and the user base started declining drastically.
27 years of service
The browser reportedly reached its peak in 2003 with around 95% usage share. But several new competitors came into the browser market with better user interfaces, better internet speed, and smooth performance. During its 27 years of service, Internet Explorer was unable to sustain the competition and slowly turned into a default explorer.
“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,” Sean Lyndersay, Microsoft Edge program manager, said.
“Microsoft Edge has Internet Explorer mode (‘IE 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,” he added.
Microsoft discontinued fresh feature development of the browser back in 2016 and it might be the first time the tech giant has chosen to phase out the Internet Explorer.
Those who have used computers at home, schools, and offices in the 1990s and early 2000s will have fond memories of Internet Explorer. For millions around the world, the browser served as the first gateway to the world wide web.
After the news got announced, netizens started reacting on Twitter.
After 27 years of service, Microsoft is going to retire Internet Explorer for good on June 15th. pic.twitter.com/rIpcHFWoU3
— Product Hunt ? (@ProductHunt) June 12, 2022
Internet Explorer is shutting down in three days. I haven't used IE in a decades but it was the browser I had used for the majority if my childhood.
Whether you loved or hated Internet Explorer, it'll be the end if an era ?
— Caesár (@CnaVD) June 11, 2022
thank you Internet Explorer for helping us download Chrome and Firefox over the years
— ScoopWhoop (@ScoopWhoop) June 13, 2022
When you try to search something on Internet Explorer :- pic.twitter.com/fPsjP86k8E
— Internet Explorer ? (@explorerhoon) June 11, 2022
They should have done this year's before but what to say
Internet Explorer is always slowThey should have shut down atleast a decade ago pic.twitter.com/aGIlnVzzI1
— Abhishek Revolutionary RajaRam Goal TaxationReform (@abhishekrajaram) June 12, 2022
On Aug 17, 2021, #Microsoft 365 ended support for #InternetExplorer, and Microsoft Team ended support for the browser on Nov 30, 2020. According to reports, Internet Explorer is all set to be discontinued on June 15, 2022.
Follow @techgalena#TechGalena #Tech #Internet pic.twitter.com/3ApiO6E4B6
— TechGalena (@techgalena) June 13, 2022
After 27 years of service..
We only have 3 days left and say goodbye to #InternetExplorer forever because it will never be usable again. pic.twitter.com/zagosgb0Ct
— Keyur Trivedi (@kgtrivedii) June 13, 2022
Internet Explorer being discontinued is big enough news to warrant being featured on the train’s “pickup news” service! pic.twitter.com/pyUGMIvJVs
— Daniel Wright (@kidviddy) June 13, 2022
Microsoft is shutting down Internet Explorer and now Windows users don't have something to download a browser with??
— It's pronounced W3SHY | (@ItsWeshy) June 12, 2022
It's time to say #goodbye to our old friend Internet Explorer. The first version was released in 1995 and on June 15th, #Microsoft will end its 27-year #service with #InternetExplorer. pic.twitter.com/AD7Eh3kRMw
— Chiranjeevi Gujiri (@dmchiranjeevi) June 13, 2022