What the End of Internet Explorer Means for You

POSTED ON July 22, 2022

As we all began our first forays onto the internet, it’s more than likely that you did so through Internet Explorer. Marked with an iconic letter “E” and a yellow orbit, the web browser, for much of the history of the internet, was the dominant browser used by individuals and companies alike to surf the web.

However, the sun is about to set on this iconic browser, as Microsoft announced it would end of life the product on June 15, 2022, meaning it will no longer be supported on Windows 10 devices or later. Some sites may no longer be available to users through the browser. This may be difficult news for many SMBs or other types of businesses that still have a high percentage of devices running this application inside their environment.

It may seem like a shock to some who remember the browser fondly, but Internet Explorer has seen its market share decline as other browsers, such as Google’s Chrome or Mozilla’s Firefox browser, have become more widely used. In January 2009, Internet Explorer held 65.41 percent of the market share for internet browsers. Yet, in 2022, it only holds 2.15 percent of the market share, far behind Google Chrome (77.03 percent), Apple Safari (8.87 percent), and Mozilla Firefox (7.69 percent).

Microsoft, too, the maker of Internet Explorer, has even launched a new web browser that competes with its former flagship product. This new browser Microsoft Edge has also surpassed Internet Explorer in market share, with 5.83 percent of the market share in 2022. Most of the remaining usage of Internet Explorer remains in businesses and enterprises versus home or individual users.

The good news is that there are multiple options for SMBs that still leverage Internet Explorer within their environments. One of the simplest options is to download Microsoft Edge, which is Microsoft’s new browser version that, in addition to other features, has an “Internet Explorer mode” built into the browser for those who want or need it. “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 about the benefits to users to upgrade to its newest browser.

SMBs can also download one of the other competing browsers available for free and feature strong security and performance, such as Chrome, Safari, or Firefox (though surely Microsoft would prefer you use their own option).

As with the end of life of any other software, SMBs need to consider finding alternate options and migrating to a long-term solution to ensure security and support for their tools. Luckily, while it may be sad to say goodbye to the iconic Internet Explorer browser for some, plenty of options will make migration easy for an SMB and its employees.

 

About the Author: Agilitec
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