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1995 - 2022
Internet Explorer
“Best viewed in IE6.”
- Birth year
- 1995
- Shutdown year
- 2022
- Lifespan
- 27 years
- Peak era
- 1999-2005
- Company
- Microsoft
- Category
- Software
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What Was It?
Internet Explorer was the default doorway to the web for millions, beloved by few, unavoidable by almost everyone.
The browser was often encountered as part of the computer rather than chosen as a separate destination. Its windows, toolbars, and familiar navigation controls framed the experience of visiting websites, while web developers had to account for how pages behaved inside it.
Its long history cannot be reduced to a single version or one universal shutdown date. This entry remembers the desktop browser era and its eventual replacement, including the tension between a deeply familiar interface and a web that continued to change around it.
Things You Probably Forgot
- Toolbars everywhere
- ActiveX warnings
- Compatibility mode
- Blue E icon
- Websites built for IE6
The Story
- 1995 Debuted with Windows 95 Plus!
- 2001 IE6 shipped and dominated the web.
- 2015 Microsoft Edge arrived.
- 2022 Desktop app support ended for many versions.
How It Died
Modern browsers and Microsoft's Edge replacement ended its long reign.
What Replaced It?
Memories
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