It feels like we’ve been saying goodbye to Internet Explorer forever, but this time it’s really the end for the MySpace of browsers.
Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) announced on Tuesday that it has permanently disabled the desktop version of the app “on certain versions of Windows 10” through a Microsoft Edge update. The company noted that the update, as is standard for Microsoft Edge, will be rolled out over the span of a few days up to a week.
This follows eight months after Internet Explorer was officially retired. Launched in 1995, the browser, as many Gen Xers will fondly remember, was the most popular browser in the early days of the internet. It had 65% of the market share until 2009 when Google Chrome started to take over.
Before its retirement, Internet Explorer had 11 versions, with the final one released in 2013. Its successor, Microsoft Edge, was released in 2016.
According to Microsoft’s announcement, Internet Explorer’s visual references, such as the icons on the Start Menu and taskbar, will be “removed by the June 2023 Windows security update (“B” release) scheduled for June 13, 2023.” While the optional, non-security preview “C” release on certain Windows 10 versions will remove the icons on May 23, 2023.
Information for this briefing was found via Microsoft, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
