The End of an Era: Why it's Time to Bid Farewell to Internet Explorer 'Internet Explorer End of Life'

After nearly a quarter century at the forefront of web browsers, Microsoft has finally pulled the plug on its once-beloved browser, Internet Explorer. The news comes as no surprise given declining usage figures and growing competition from newer, more efficient alternatives.

In an open letter titled 'The perils of using Internet Explorer as your default browser,' Senior Program Manager Chris Jackson at Microsoft candidly urged users to reconsider their reliance on the aging software. His advice was crystal clear: it's time to say goodbye to IE once and for all.

So why exactly should you heed this warning? For starters, continued use will leave your system vulnerable to security exploits that newer browsers have long since fixed. Internet Explorer 11, which has now reached its end-of-life (EOL) milestone, no longer receives any updates or patches from Microsoft. This means users are essentially flying solo against an ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Microsoft itself acknowledged as much when it announced the impending retirement of IE11 earlier this year. The move marked a significant shift in company policy towards supporting its legacy software portfolio – and served notice that all remaining support for Internet Explorer would soon come to an end.

As Jackson himself noted, 'We're not just talking about security here; we're also talking about compatibility with modern web sites.' As more websites begin to drop IE11 from their supported browsers lists in favor of newer standards like HTML5 and CSS3, continued use will increasingly limit users' ability to fully engage online. In short: if you want to stay connected in today's digital age – it's time for Internet Explorer to go.

For those still clinging onto this outdated technology out of habit or sheer stubbornness, here are some practical tips on how best to transition away from IE:

1. Switch to a newer browser like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox: Both offer superior speed and security features compared to their older counterparts.

2. Update your operating system (OS) if necessary – Windows 10 users can opt for the free 'Windows Defender' suite, which includes built-in protection against malware threats.

3. Consider upgrading your hardware altogether; newer machines often come preloaded with more modern software stacks that better support today's demanding online environment.

Whatever path you choose to take from here, one thing is clear: Internet Explorer has had its day in the sun – and it's time for Microsoft to finally let go of this relic of a bygone era. As we bid adieu to this once-iconic browser brand, let us remember fondly the good times – but also look towards an exciting future powered by faster, safer, more secure alternatives like Chrome, Edge or Safari.

Sources:

- 'The perils of using Internet Explorer as your default browser' (Microsoft)

- 'Internet Explorer 11 end-of-life announcement and support timeline

Internet explorer end of life