As of January 12, 2016 Internet Explorer 11 will become the last version of Internet Explorer supported by Microsoft. That means if you have 10, 9, 8 , 7, etc… security and performance updates will no longer be available, so it’s time to update ASAP.
Here’s Microsoft’s official line:
“Beginning January 12, 2016, only the most current version of Internet Explorer available for a supported operating system will receive technical supports and security updates. Internet Explorer 11 is the last version of Internet Explorer, and will continue to receive security updates, compatibility fixes, and technical support on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.”
What does this mean to the general user?
Microsoft suggests users upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 and 8, or use the new Edge browser if you’re using Windows 10.
If you’re running a version of Internet Explorer less than 11 you’ll still be able to surf the web as you do now, you just won’t be as secure going forward. You’ll become increasingly vulnerable over time to Malware and Viruses as your browser will no longer be updated to defended against new threats.
Updating to Internet Explorer 11 is not only in your best interest for security purposes but also from a user experience level as well. By updating to IE 11 you’ll finally be able to see what everyone else on the web sees in terms of html layouts, animations and video. This might not sound like much but when done well, HTML animation and video create a more enjoyable user experience.
What does this mean for you as someone who currently has a website or wants to update/develop a new one?
It means over the next year a vast majority of your visitors will now be using what we call a “modern browser”. In a nutshell, a modern browser is a web browser that can read and execute for display HTML5 and CSS3 markup standards. Unlike all the other major browsers over the last five years, Internet Explorer has only partially supported these standards… until Internet Explorer 11.
With Internet Explorer joining the likes of Chrome, Firefox and Safari, developers and designers can now worry less about backwards compatibility and focus on todays possibilities. Your website can now be more dynamic with its user interactions via animated menus, buttons, prompts, content, slideshows, and more.
Here’s a look at Internet Explorer logos through the years:
