When Windows 10 launches later this year, Internet Explorer won’t be your default means of accessing the Internet. (Microsoft users everywhere may have just breathed a big sigh of relief).

For perhaps millions of people who have become dissatisfied with IE over the years, whether it be because of a lack of security, no response errors or having an outdated, clunky look compared to some of today’s most popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox and even Apple’s Safari, the beginning to the end of Internet Explorer.

Microsoft is currently developing a new browser, internally referred to as “Project Spartan” that will overtake IE as the default browser on Windows 10 devices at launch.

“Project Spartan” has three known features as of now, which appear to be an excellent step in the right direction, given IE’s recent struggles.

  • The new Microsoft browser will have inking support, allowing users to annotate web pages and sync notes to OneDrive.
  • The new Microsoft browser comes with a reader mode, much like Safari
  • It will integrate Cortana, Microsoft’s personal assistant

Even though Microsoft has referred to its primary browser as Internet Explorer since the beginning of time, they have realized the name has become synonymous with the browser’s current and former issues, which will result in the end of Internet Explorer as we know it. They want it to be clear to users that “Project Spartan” isn’t IE. It’s not an improved IE. “Project Spartan” is a brand-new browser built from the ground up with the future of the internet in mind.

“Project Spartan” sounds great, but if you hate IE, but don’t bust out the champagne just yet. The end of Internet Explorer hasn’t arrived quite yet, as IE will still be hiding on your machines somewhere. If you are a business user, IE may continue to be an important part of your day, depending on whether or not your business has developed corporate apps used on an everyday basis that integrate with IE.

The new Microsoft browser will not be backwards-compatible, since it is being built on a completely different software platform from IE, which after 20 years, needed a fresh start.

In a blog post on the Microsoft website, Internet Explorer Program Manager Jason Weber (who gets to keep his job, in case you were wondering) explained why IE isn’t going the way of XP just yet.

“We recognize some enterprises have legacy websites that use older technologies designed only for Internet Explorer. For these users, Internet Explorer will also be available on Windows 10,” Weber wrote.

Our Thoughts on Project Spartan and the end of Internet Explorer

IE will still be a default program on new machines packed with Windows 10, but most users will likely never notice IE’s existence. With later versions of Windows, perhaps beginning with Windows 11, Internet Explorer may be completely gone. Given there will likely still be a large number of legacy users, it isn’t likely that Microsoft will end IE support for a long time.

People may not like IE, but they are comfortable with it. Some don’t know they have other options. IE has had a multitude of security issues in the past. Cutting off support too soon could create an extreme risk for a large number of users.

Our advice? Start preparing for Project Spartan and the end of Internet Explorer by adjusting internal processes that require Internet Explorer now to prepare for a better browsing experience in the future. It’s only a matter of time now before you have a brand new Microsoft browser.

Initially, Project Spartan looks great, but we know better than most that businesses have a slow time adopting to new technology. We saw this first hand when panic ensued leading up to the end-of-support date for Windows XP, which was still being used by businesses 13 whole years after its launch in 2001.

 

Does your company need to develop a new roadmap to adjust to developing new technologies? ThrottleNet can help! Learn more about our Managed Network services today and contact us to see how we can help your business run full-throttle.