It’s no secret that the Internet has changed irrevocably, and now one of its most famous browsers is finally going to the digital graveyard.
Internet Explorer, which was released back in August 1995, will finally die out today (February 14), although it was once the main browser on the planet.
Admittedly, this was in 2002, when Internet Explorer accounted for 96 percent of website visits, but it soon became a means to download more modern replacements like Chrome and Firefox.
In fact, it even became something of a joke that this was the only feature of the once-popular browser, so you can see why it’s being retired for good.
Internet Explorer once facilitated almost all Internet traffic. Credit: Alamy / 2020WEB
The browser has sadly been a victim of the times and it has been since the last time it actually received an update
As a result, when people were looking for a solution to their internet exploring needs, they went elsewhere in search of a faster, more streamlined experience.
Microsoft itself even walked away from its once-popular browser when it encouraged users to download Microsoft Edge instead.
Internet Explorer has since been replaced by Microsoft Edge. Credit: Alamy / Panther Media GmbH
Sean Lyndersay, Microsoft Edge Program Manager, said: “In addition to providing a faster, safer, and more modern browsing experience than Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge is also able to address a key concern: compatibility with older, outdated websites and applications.
“Microsoft Edge has built-in Internet Explorer mode (“IE mode”), so you can access these older Internet Explorer-based websites and applications directly from Microsoft Edge.”
Chris Jackson, Microsoft’s chief cybersecurity officer, wrote in a blog post that while Internet Explorer was once favored for its simplicity, “Developers by and large don’t test on Internet Explorer these days. They test on modern browsers.
In short, if you used Internet Explorer all along while some websites still worked fine for you, newer, more advanced parts of the internet just wouldn’t have been accessible.
The desktop application for Internet Explorer will be permanently disabled today (February 14). Credit: Alamy/Maurice Savage
While Internet Explorer was technically phased out last year, today marks a significant day in its ongoing death as the desktop application is being permanently disabled.
Microsoft says it will be replaced with a Microsoft Edge update if you’re using certain versions of Windows 10.
After today, June 13 marks the final part of the browser’s funeral, so to speak, when Internet Explorer icons will be removed from the Start menu and taskbar as part of the planned security update.
