Microsoft has announced that beginning January 12, 2016 it will no longer support versions of Internet Explorer prior to version 11. With Internet Explorer 11 currently available for Windows 7, 8, and 10, however, most businesses and home users should have no reason not to upgrade.
Microsoft's end of life (EOL) site dedicated to this announcement lists resources to assist businesses in upgrading their networks to the latest version available. Home users can upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 by simply running the available Windows Update.
Your Options
Windows 10 users can upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 or the Microsoft Edge browser. The Microsoft Edge browser is available as a replacement in Windows 10 devices that should be considered. Edge brings a brand-new engine to Windows for improved compliance with web standards. The browser was developed to shed the negative image that has amassed around the Internet Explorer brand over the past several years. If you’re unsatisfied with Microsoft browsing software up to now, Edge provides a previously unavailable option for users.
Worth noting: while not a savory feature with security professionals -- the new auto-updating feature now available for both Internet Explorer 11 and Edge. Similar to those found in Firefox and Chrome, wherein the latest updates are automatically downloaded and installed without user interaction, the new browsing software by Microsoft offers the same ease of use and low maintenance features many users have come to expect.
Our Take
From a web development specialist's perspective this is a monumental announcement. Internet Explorer has long been a thorn in the side of many developers for Microsoft's lack of adherence to web standards. This used to mean requiring developers to spend additional time creating work-arounds and hacks to ensure their end product was fully functional.
Microsoft's announcement may be met with some grief from enterprise customers, but in the end, the announcement promises a better web experience moving forward.
If you have any questions about how to implement this update, contact our team of experts to make the change as seamless as possible.
