A battleship of the Internet world has had its day: almost 20 years after the launch of its browser milestone Internet Explorer (IE), Microsoft is reorienting itself and retiring the long-serving surfing program. Although this decision hurt many of the company's employees, it is of little concern to most users. That shows: The unpopular IE had to be scrapped so as not to jeopardize the success of the new Windows 10.
Windows 10 starts with the newly developed Web browser Spartan - There will no longer be an Internet Explorer 12. Eleven versions of Microsoft's internet software have been used by millions of users worldwide over the past two decades. IE was once a prestige project for Microsoft.
But in recent years, its star has fallen, while rivals such as Firefox and Chrome have risen rapidly.
Unter Windows XP hatte der IE noch Marktanteile von über 90 Prozent, denn massenkompatible Browser-Konkurrenz gab es nicht. Womöglich lag darin das Problem – und bereits das Ende des damaligen Browser-Weltmarktführers: Der fehlende Wettbewerb reduzierte das Engagement der Microsoft-Entwickler. Die Produktpflege wurde vernachlässigt, zeitweise löste sich sogar das komplette Entwicklerteam des IE auf. Technische Innovationen blieben aus.
The opinions of experts and users have not exactly been favorable of late: some security gaps have led to criticism, and there has also been a growing number of voices accusing IE of using outdated technology. Microsoft also apparently feared that IE could prove to be a ballast for the new Windows 10.
For Windows 10, MS is planning a subscription system like Office 2013 - IE is just getting in the way
So the company decided to ring in the end of IE. Also because Windows 10 will - and must - take a completely new path: The operating system will initially be offered and maintained free of charge, but future payment models will probably provide for a subscription system.
Just as Microsoft has already done with its Office 2013 versions has realized. Users can use the software for an annual fee, and the range of functions depends on the amount of the fee.
For this business model to work with Windows 10, one factor is more important than ever for Microsoft: customer satisfaction. Windows 10 users must be enthusiastic about the new operating system so that they voluntarily pour money into the company's coffers.
This is precisely why the old, unpopular IE has become a Microsoft problem.
However, IE is still included in some Windows 10 versions to ensure the compatibility of internal, older applications.
What does the end of Internet Explorer mean for users?
IE can therefore still be used, but there will be no new version for Windows 10. Anyone who wants to surf with Windows will do so in future via a new Microsoft browser, which is currently being developed under the project name Spartan.
Those who are satisfied with IE 11 can take advantage of monthly patchdays, with which the company also delivers regular security updates in the medium term. However, there are no longer any new functions - the only option here is to switch to Spartan or other browsers such as Chrome and Firefox.
It is not yet certain whether only Windows 10 will benefit from the new browser - or whether Microsoft will also release Spartan for the previous versions Windows 7 and 8.1.
According to Microsoft, IE support will be discontinued on January 10, 2023, which goes hand in hand with the updates of the respective versions of Windows.
Internet Explorer 11 was released with Windows 8.1 in the summer of 2013. At the time, Internet Explorer was said to be a core component of the operating system.
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