Microsoft Internet Explorer

Software Overview

Microsoft Internet Explorer is a discontinued web browser that was previously the default browser for Microsoft Windows. Microsoft initially released it in 1995, and it became the most widely-used web browser in the early 2000s until other competitors, such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple Safari came along. Microsoft eventually replaced Internet Explorer with Edge in Windows 10, then retired Internet Explorer (version 11 was its last) on June 15, 2022.

Internet Explorer came bundled with Windows devices, such as tablets or PCs, through Windows 10. It featured a simple interface you could customize to sync across compatible devices and was extensible, allowing you to install additional features to enhance its capabilities. The browser also provided security and privacy capabilities, including the Do Not Track and InPrivate Browsing options and developer tools for inspecting webpages.

Summary

While Internet Explorer had a strong run in the 2000s, it began to lag behind its competitors in various areas, including speed, security, and privacy features. Also, mobile operating systems growing in usage in the late 2000s and 2010s did not support the browser, helping it to its demise. In 2015, Microsoft started to phase out Internet Explorer in favor of Edge, officially ceasing support for the browser in 2022. If you are still using Internet Explorer, it's time to upgrade to one of the many better browsing options, including Edge, Chrome, and Firefox.

Primary File Type

.XHTMLExtensible Hypertext Markup Language File

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