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Microsoft is finally shutting down Internet Explorer, its oldest browser


27 years after it went live, Microsoft has announced that is now officially shutting down its oldest browser, Internet Explorer.

Microsoft says will officially end support for the Internet Explorer desktop application on June 15, 2022. The company first released Explorer in 1995 as an add-on package for Windows 95 before it began providing it for free as part of the package.

The replacement? The new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge.

As we reported last year, Legacy third-party IE 11 apps will continue to function, however. Microsoft is even offering a helping hand to ensure a smooth transition to Edge – its modern browser solution.

Chromium-based Microsoft Edge also has IE mode which provides a simple workaround to still use IE 11’s Trident MSHTML engine for legacy sites.

“When a site loads in IE mode, the IE logo indicator displays on the left side of the navigation bar,” said Microsoft.

Important to also note that the Edge built-in workaround won’t extend IE 11 access to Microsoft 365 apps and services beyond the dates listed.

Microsoft started working on the new Edge, released in January, two years ago based on the Chromium open-source engine. The new Edge was destined to replace IE from the beginning

“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 said in a blog post last year.

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Nixon Kanali

Tech journalist based in Nairobi. I track and report on tech and African startups. Founder and Editor of TechTrends Media. Nixon is also the East African tech editor for Africa Business Communities. Send tips to nkanali@techtrendske.co.ke.

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