Microsoft to kill off Internet Explorer after 25 years
The browser, which once had a usage share of 95%, declined in popularity after Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome were launched.
Wednesday 19 August 2020 13:28, UK
Microsoft has confirmed that it will be ending support for Internet Explorer on 17 August 2021.
The tech firm added that the Microsoft Teams web app will no longer be supported on the browser from the end of November 2020.
All remaining Microsoft 365 apps and services will end their support on the browser by summer next year.
Following these dates, users will either have a degraded experience when using apps and services on the browser or will be unable to connect entirely.
After being released in 1995, Internet Explorer quickly became the most used browser, with a usage share of 95% by 2003.
However, the end of Internet Explorer has been on the cards for several years after its popularity declined following the release of Mozilla Firefox in 2004, and Google Chrome in 2008.
In 2015, the company announced Microsoft Edge would be replacing the browser. The following year, Internet Explorer was dethroned as the most used browser with Google Chrome taking the top spot.
The older version of Edge will be discontinued on March 9 2021, making way for the latest iteration which relies on chromium software.
This means users can access more features, including those intended for Google Chrome.
Microsoft Edge will also house an Internet Explorer mode, allowing access to legacy apps to respect businesses that have made investments.