Microsoft is all set to retire its oldest browser, Internet Explorer after 27 years of service

After 27 years of service, Microsoft announced the retirement of of its oldest browser, Internet Explorer. Microsoft has announced that widespread support for the outdated browser will be discontinued and the app will finally retire in peace. It was first released in 1995 as an add-on package for Windows 95. Later, Microsoft included the browser for free as part of the package.

According to the company's announcement, Internet Explorer will be rendered inoperable from 15 June, 2022. The browser reached a peak of 95% usage in 2003, but it could not maintain its position, and the user base began to decline dramatically.

Many competitors entered the browser market and began offering better user internet speeds and smoother performance. It appears that Internet Explorer was unable to keep up with the competition , and it has gradually devolved into nothing more than a default explorer used to install other browsers.

Sean Lyndersay, Microsoft Edge program manager,  stated in a release that "the future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 lies in Microsoft Edge", as reported by Mashable. "Not only is Microsoft Edge a quicker, more secure, and more contemporary browsing experience than Internet Explorer, but it also addresses a crucial concern: compatibility for older, legacy websites and applications," he added further.

According to Microsoft, "Microsoft Edge has Internet Explorer mode(IE Mode) built in, so one may access old Internet Explorer-based websites and applications directly from Microsoft Edge.

"Because Microsoft Edge is capable of handling this and more, the Internet Explorer 11 desktop programme will be decommissioned and support will end on June 15, 2022, for certain versions of Windows 10," Microsoft stated in a statement.

Microsoft halted new browser feature development in 2016, and this may be the first time the tech giant has decided to phase out Internet Explorer. The news of Internet Explorer's demise has gone viral globally and netizens were both nostalgic and funny after the news break. Many have responded by creating amusing memes.