MICROSOFT is shutting down its 27-year-old Internet Explorer.
In its heyday in the 90s and 00s it was the most popular web browser around.
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When is Internet Explorer shut down?
Internet Explorer is being shut down today, June 15, 2022.
Anyone still using the old software after all this time needs to jump ship to something else, as from Wednesday onwards Microsoft will no longer service it with patches to keep hackers out, leaving users exposed to possible cyber attacks.
Why is Internet Explorer shutting down?
While it was hugely popular at the time, it has been overtaken by strong competitors.
It has been battered by new arrivals like Google Chrome and Firefox.
According to Stat Counter, Internet Explorer is still has a 0.65 per cent market share.
With the help of iPhones in particular, Safari comes in as second most popular at 19.01 per cent.
But the leader is Google Chrome, with a whooping 64.95 per cent.
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The firm has already attempted to shift away from Internet Explorer, building a new app Edge in 2015.
“The future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 is in Microsoft Edge,” the firm said.
“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.
“While Internet Explorer 11 packaged security updates monthly, Microsoft Edge can issue security patches for immediate vulnerabilities within days, if not hours.”
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Can I still use Internet Explorer?
In a FAQ, Microsoft specified that it was only ending support for Internet Explorer on Windows 10 20H2 and later.
Internet Explorer 11 desktop applications on other Windows versions, including Windows 8.1; Windows 7 ESU, Windows SAC, or Windows 10 IoT LTSC will be unaffected by the change.
Microsoft said they do not advise users to avoid or skip Windows updates to keep IE11, “as Windows updates contain critical operating system security patches”.
