If you are using an older version of Internet Explorer, now might be the perfect time to upgrade to the latest version. Starting January 12, Microsoft intends to pull the plug on Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10, thereby making these versions obsolete.
On January 12, Microsoft will be releasing a patch that offers some final bug fixes and security updates, and also adds a notification that will prompt users to upgrade to Internet Explorer 11, the latest and final version of Microsoft’s web browser. Users on Windows 10 will be moved to Edge obviously.
This move does not come as a surprise to anyone. Back in 2014, Microsoft had moved Internet Explorer to legacy status, thereby implying that it was being maintained only for compatibility’s sake with enterprise usage. However, several users have still persisted with older versions of IE, and with three versions, 8, 9 and 10 now reaching end of life, upgrading to Internet Explorer 11 (or Edge) or migrating to a different web browser will be those users’ best bet.
For web designers and developers, this news must seem like music to ears, especially because older versions of IE had failed to keep up to date with the latest trends in CSS and web development, and now that those versions are retired, we can expect cleaner and less bulkier website code.
Following January 12, Internet Explorer 11 will be the only surviving and actively maintained version of what was once the world’s favorite web browser. To learn more, you can read the official blog post on this page.
What do you think of this move by Microsoft? Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10 will soon be limited to the pages of history. Good riddance? Share your views in the comments below.
Featured Image: Christian Colen
This is indeed music to my ears. I’ve been experimenting with flexbox and I really like it. Not having to worry about earlier IE versions will help push css to another level, in my opinion.
Finally … ahhh at last they done something smart 🙂 …
Now .. Waiting for update version.
Microsoft have been holding the world back for about a decade, in terms of web development – hopefully it stops now, but we’ll wait and see. If only they could show the same sense towards their email clients . . .
Smart move
Think this will make a lot of web designers very happy!
I wouldn’t cheer right away – just because Microsoft are retiring these versions of Internet Explorer doesn’t mean people will stop using them. In the short term, developers would probably have to make it clear that they no longer support and code for older versions. I fear we will still have to support IE 9 and 10 at the bare minimum throughout 2016, but at least these are a little easier to work with. Legacy support is always an issue when such a wide variety of systems are in use by users browsing the web.
I know I have to still think about IE8. The enterprise won’t be deterred by obsolescence. It costs money to upgrade custom built web apps.
I work at a healthcare company who refuses to upgrade from IE7. Sad to report that Old IE is alive and well and probably will be for years to come.