But as the Internet grew and evolved, this dinosaur of a browser became less and less viable. Many modern websites failed to load correctly on Internet Explorer, and its performance and security issues became increasingly problematic. The once-mighty browser that had been a crucial entry point to the Internet for millions had become a relic of the past, suitable only for accessing specific, outdated content.
Recognizing the need for change, Microsoft did more than just cease development on Internet Explorer. They reinvented their browser approach with Microsoft Edge. Released in 2015 with Windows 10, Edge was a step in the right direction. It was modern, quick, and offered a slick user interface that was a significant upgrade from Internet Explorer.
However, it had its challenges too. The initial adoption was slow, partly due to the legacy of Internet Explorer and partly because Edge was initially built on a proprietary rendering engine. In 2019, Microsoft made the significant decision to rebuild Edge using the open-source Chromium engine, the same engine that powers Google Chrome.
This move turned out to be a masterstroke. The new Chromium-based Edge browser was far more compatible with various websites and offered performance improvements over the original Edge. The once troubled Internet Explorer lineage seemed to be finally shaking off its tarnished reputation.
In May 2021, Microsoft officially announced the retirement of Internet Explorer 11, the last version of the browser. It set the end of support for June 15, 2022, marking the final nail in the coffin for the once-dominant web browser.
With the release of Windows 11 later in 2021, Microsoft continued to push Edge as the browser of choice, solidifying its position in the market and leaving Internet Explorer to the annals of history.
For those who remember the days of dial-up connections and the excitement of the early web, Internet Explorer will always have a place in their hearts. It was a product of its time, a pioneering force in connecting the world. But like all things in technology, it was eventually surpassed, outpaced by the rapid evolution of the Internet.
The retirement of Internet Explorer in 2023 marks not just the end of a browser but the closing of a significant chapter in the history of the web. It serves as a reminder of how quickly technology can change, and how something that once seemed indispensable can become obsolete.
In a way, Internet Explorer’s story is a parable of innovation, complacency, rebirth, and the relentless march of technological progress. It’s a story that has shaped the Internet as we know it today, and its legacy will be remembered as one of the defining elements of the early web. The browser wars have changed, the players have shifted, but the journey that began with a simple web browser in 1995 will continue to resonate in the ongoing evolution of the digital world.
