Internet Explorer is officially being terminated by Microsoft corporations. This browser has been with us since the beginning of the digitalization era. We learned about the internet with the help of Internet Explorer. It has been with us since our childhood days, helping us complete school projects. Every 90s kids will know the contribution of Internet Explorer to our lives.
Internet Explorer Origin
Internet Explorer was created by Thomas Reardon and it was released as a part of Microsoft Plus for Windows 95. It was a $49.99 software bundle including an ‘Internet Jumpstart Kit’ which is a game called Space Cadet Pinball and some software utilities. In August 1995 Microsoft launched Internet Explorer.
After that Internet Explorer, 1.5 version was released and Microsoft bundled it with Windows NT.
Internet Explorer 2
Its version 2 had notable changes launched a few months later in November 1995. The first version of IE was for Windows 95 and Windows NT while the 2nd version supported older Windows 3.1, and Macintosh System 7.0.1.
This version of IE was furnished with added features from today’s web-like JavaScript, HTTP cookies, SSL, and more. IE’s version 2.1 launched for Mac in 1996 and supported embedding AVI, and QuickTime. AIFF, WAV files, and more added features.
Internet Explorer 3
In 1996 Internet Explorer 3 was released. IE had a competitor named Netscape, a commercial web browser. By this time Microsoft introduced JScript, a version of JavaScript with a similar language.
The bundled software IE3 came with Internet Mail, News, Windows Address Book, Microsoft Comic Chat, RealPlayer, NetMeeting, and Windows Media Players.
Internet Explorer 4
In 1998 Internet Explorer acquired gigabit speeds and bundled up with Windows 98 completely. So, Windows 98 only had only one bundled-up web browser which means people are bound to use it. Windows 98 didn’t have Netscape. And if you were to look for options other than Internet Explorer, you needed to buy Netscape.
The Redmond firm actively stopped Netscape to be bundled with Windows. The United States Justice Department got involved in this monopolization of web browsers by Microsoft in 1999. The court ordered Microsoft must split into two, one company for making Windows and the other company for making software. In 2001 the split up didn’t count.
So, Microsoft went ahead with Internet Explorer 4 introduced in Windows 98 system.
Internet Explorer 5
It was launched by Microsoft in 1999. The browser contained features such as AutoComplete, Hotmail integration, Offline Favorites, the ability to save pages as MHTML, a History Explorer Bar, and a Search Explorer Bar.
The Windows 98 system with IE5 had an Intel 486DX processor with 37MB Random Access Memory. Mac with IE5 contained a PowerPC processor and 8MB RAM.
Internet Explorer 6
It was released in 2001 shortly before Windows XP. IE6 was the last browser to be offered independently of Windows.
Internet Explorer 7
IE7 was released in 2006 pre-installed with Windows Vista. The browser supported per-pixel alpha transparency in PNG along with Phishing Filter. It had an advanced browsing security mechanism that will evolve into a cybersecurity platform.
Internet Explorer 8
Introduced in 2009 and pre-installed on Windows-7. IE7 is also supported on Windows XP SP2. This is the first version of Internet Explorer with an InPrivate browsing experience which has evolved as Incognito Mode in Chrome browsers. The browser also had a SmartScreen Filter that checked threat actors.
Internet Explorer 9, 10 and 11
They marked the era of modern browsers. During this time Internet Explorer had tough competitors such as Chrome, Google Chromium, and Mozilla Firefox. Microsoft itself has brought many changes to Windows as well.
Why IE is being terminated?
The company stated that IE couldn’t match with the general improvements to the web. In today’s digital age Microsoft Edge is best fitted to be a more secure and speedy browser.
Internet Explorer had its days at the prime time of the digital era. It defined a golden era of the Internet.
