If you’re still using Internet Explorer 8, 9 or 10 instead of the new Microsoft Edge, be aware that the company is pulling all support for the old browsers on January 12.
Ending support for the older versions will most likely force users to switch to Internet Explorer 11 or Microsoft Edge, which was released on July 29, 2015.
The older versions of Explorer will remain functional but they won’t receive any more technical or security updates after the cut-off. This, therefore, means that those who insist on using the outdated versions will become more vulnerable to security breaches and hackers.
In a post on the company’s official Windows 10 blog, Senior Editor Mehedi Hassan says that one final patch for the browser versions will deliver what they call an ‘End of Life’ notification, which will encourage users to switch to Internet Explorer 11 as soon as possible.
“If you do not want to upgrade to IE 11, you can disable the update that requires you to upgrade to IE 11,” Hassan writes. “If you are still using IE 8, 9 or 10, you should probably upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 to enjoy a better browsing experience on the Internet.”
Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 8.1 was released on October 17, 2013 with the Windows 7 version following on November 7 that year.
In the meantime, Microsoft is still shipping Explorer 11 with Windows 10, but the company admits it does not really want users to continue using Internet Explorer anymore. The company, instead, encourages users to switch to Microsoft Edge, which Microsoft believes represents a vast improvement over the older Internet Explorer.
“This is, indeed, great news for Web developers who are tired of supporting old versions of Internet Explorer in modern websites,” Hussan writes.
For small business owners with websites, the new browser should also mean visitors have a much better experience when visiting your business online as well.
Internet Explorer Tile Photo via Shutterstock
Chris
Rest in agony IE. Like the agony you’ve caused millions of developers around the world for years.
I upgraded both my computers to Windows 10 and therefore have the Edge browser. It’s comparable to Chrome or Firefox so if you have it, give it a try.
Good to know, thanks!
Frank
Rather than be a MS tool and have them use their Browser to profile you – go with not-for-profit Mozilla Firefox. MS and Google to not share the profits, that they make selling your personal info to their “partners” (whoever they may be?). Why on earth enable them to abuse you when you have a choice?
Anita Campbell
Firefox has its own privacy issues.
Read: http://www.zdnet.com/article/mozilla-abandons-firefox-tracking-protection-initiative/
And the point about them being non-profit is puzzling. Remember, even non-profits have to pay the salaries of the people employed by them.
I have absolutely nothing against any organization making money. In fact — being able to employ people, whether in a non-profit or a for-profit, is a good thing in my book. I admire that and consider it a productive aim of society.
However, just because an organization is a so-called “non-profit” don’t assume that the people running it are uninterested in bringing money in the door. Of course they are interested. How else would the people in a non-profit organization keep it going and pay their own salaries and overhead if they weren’t?
Frank
Maybe non-profits are just the least of the evils, we must all do our own due diligence. Mozilla at least has the consumers best interest in mind. MS and Google are only accountable to hungry stockholders according to their corp. charters. The public is their wallet.