The latest news that we have from Microsoft, is that is going to kill older versions of Internet Explorer from 2016 onwards. Come January 12, 2016 the company will stop providing support for all outdated IE versions and is going to support only the most recent version for the particular Windows operating system version.
This major step has been taken by the company to improve user experience, and it is imperative that you upgrade to the latest versions of Internet Explorer. These days running a modern browser is very important as it offers secure, fastest and easiest way to connect to the web.
If we talk from the developers prospective, they will be able to design websites in such a way that it will help them create better and efficient applications, based on a modern browser. The latest version of Internet Explorer will decrease online risk and financial fraud by improving the browser security.
Newer versions of IE, like IE 11 brings in Enhanced Protected Mode. The EPM feature helps end-users to work securely online and it is compatible with existing web apps. If we take a modern day example, Microsoft Office 365, Azure, Private Cloud and few of the older legacy Web apps are designed to run on the latest browser version.
Here is chart below which displays the Operating System and Internet Explorer Version that Microsoft is going to support from January 12, 2016.
| Windows Platform | Internet Explorer Version |
| Windows Vista SP2 | Internet Explorer 9 |
| Windows Server 2008 SP2 | Internet Explorer 9 |
| Windows 7 SP1 | Internet Explorer 11 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 | Internet Explorer 11 |
| Windows 8.1 | Internet Explorer 11 |
| Windows Server 2012 | Internet Explorer 10 |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | Internet Explorer 11 |
For end users, before January 12, 2016 they have to upgrade Internet Explorer to the latest version available for their Operating System, to receive technical support and security updates from Microsoft. For Enterprise customer, there will be a backward compatible option which will be provided by Microsoft so that they can keep running those legacy Web apps before they upgrade to the current web standard.
Microsoft is also offering various support resources that can be used to migrate to the latest versions of Internet Explorer like:
- Modern.IE
- Internet Explorer TechCenter
- Microsoft Assessment and Planning
- Internet Explorer Developer Center
- Microsoft Services Support
- Microsoft Consulting Services
- Internet Explorer Migration Workshop
- User can also try Microsoft Pinpoint to locate a certified IT specialist to complete the task near you.
Using the latest version of Internet Explorer helps end user to work with ease, greater security and reliability.
