Microsoft Is Retiring Internet Explorer After More Than 25 Years

Microsoft has announced plans to retire Internet Explorer after more than 25 years.

The antiquated web browser was launched back in 1995 and is being scrapped for good as of 15 June 2022. Somebody pass me the tissues.

Internet Explorer has been gradually phased out over recent years in favour of Microsoft Edge, which the company hails as a more streamlined and secure browsing experience.

PA

Announcing the news, Microsoft Edge program manager Sean Lyndersay said: "Over the last year, you may have noticed our movement away from Internet Explorer ('IE') support, such as an announcement of the end of IE support by Microsoft 365 online services.

"Today [19 May], we are at the next stage of that journey: we are announcing that the future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 is in Microsoft Edge.

"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.

"Microsoft Edge has Internet Explorer mode ('IE mode') built in, so you can access those legacy Internet Explorer-based websites and applications straight from Microsoft Edge.

"With Microsoft Edge capable of assuming this responsibility and more, the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will be retired and go out of support on June 15, 2022, for certain versions of Windows 10."

Internet Explorer's days were numbered since Microsoft Edge was launched in 2015, and the company has been encouraging users to make the switch ever since.

If you're still using Internet Explorer, don't panic (and get with the times). The likelihood is you already have it on your Windows if you look for it in your search box. If not, you can download it here.

You can find out more about the retirement of Internet Explorer and move to Microsoft Edge here.

In other Microsoft news, it was revealed earlier this week that Bill Gates was being investigated over an affair with a colleague at the company prior to his resignation.

PA

The Microsoft co-founder stepped down from the board in March 2020, before splitting up with his wife of 27 years, Melinda, earlier this month.

A spokeswoman for the billionaire said the affair ended 'amicably' and was not the reason behind his resignation from the board.

The spokeswoman said: "There was an affair almost 20 years ago which ended amicably.

"Bill's decision to transition off the board was in no way related to this matter. In fact, he had expressed an interest in spending more time on his philanthropy starting several years earlier."

Microsoft said it was conducting a 'thorough investigation'.

A spokesperson said: "Microsoft received a concern in the latter half of 2019 that Bill Gates sought to initiate an intimate relationship with a company employee in the year 2000.

"A committee of the board reviewed the concern, aided by an outside law firm, to conduct a thorough investigation.

"Throughout the investigation, Microsoft provided extensive support to the employee who raised the concern."

Topics: World News, Microsoft, Technology

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey