Microsoft’s Internet Explorer once reigned as the dominant web browser. It reached its pinnacle of popularity during the early 2000s when bundled with Windows and defeated Netscape Navigator as the browser war.
Internet Explorer pioneered many technologies still utilized today, such as cookies and SSL protocols. Furthermore, its user interface could be customized easily.
IE 1
Internet Explorer 1 (IE 1) was Microsoft’s initial web browser, released in 1995 and quickly becoming a market leader against rival Netscape Navigator in its debut browser war. Included with Windows 95 OSR 1, its popularity lasted into early 2000 when alternative web browsers like Firefox and Google Chrome began becoming more widely adopted.
This version of IE introduced numerous technologies still widely used today, such as cookies and SSL protocols, but was plagued with security flaws that required multiple patches; though these problems weren’t exclusive to IE alone due to its massive market share.
This version of IE was also the first to introduce “Delete Browsing History”, allowing users to easily delete cache, history, and cookies with a single click. Furthermore, security was strengthened by restricting read/write capabilities of IE to individual user profiles – plus increased speed and compliance with web standards! IE 7 marked its final support of Windows XP and Vista while simultaneously increasing speed and compliance with web standards.
IE 2
Microsoft’s IE 2 was one of their flagship browsers during the initial browser wars, dominating almost 90% of global market share at its peak market share. Unfortunately, however, it also earned itself a bad rap due to security vulnerabilities which necessitated multiple patch releases; many flaws stemmed from ActiveX add-on architecture in which add-ons shared the same privileges as browser itself.
This version introduced several technologies still used today, such as cookies and secure sockets layer protocols. Furthermore, it was the first to support Java and cascading style sheets.
Microsoft originally licensed Internet Explorer from Spyglass Mosaic at no charge in exchange for a modest monthly licensing fee and cut of non-Windows product revenues, fuelling an antitrust suit brought against them by the Department of Justice; ultimately this settlement resulted in a substantial fine but did not require unbundling Internet Explorer from Windows; nonetheless IE continued being included until version 11’s release when Microsoft Edge took its place.
IE 3
Internet Explorer (IE) is a web browser developed by Microsoft Corporation. The first version was made available for public consumption in August 1995, with its most recent update arriving in October 2013. Internet Explorer is closely tied to Windows operating systems; different versions can only support certain versions of Internet Explorer.
It was the first version to offer search, RSS, and personalization features. Furthermore, the browser provided extensive HTML5 element support as well as advanced malware protection layers.
This version introduced several incremental upgrades, such as InPrivate browsing, automatic tab-crash recovery and popup blocking functionality. It also enhanced IE’s security infrastructure with zone-based restrictions and user-editable whitelists for executable files downloaded from the Internet; additionally it introduced support for Component Object Model which allowed third parties to develop add-ons using browser helper objects.
IE 4
Internet Explorer 4 was Microsoft’s inaugural browser that seamlessly integrated with an operating system, featuring an Active Desktop user interface, channel support and other enhancements.
Channels provide an easy way to subscribing to Web sites and only viewing pages you want. By using channel definition files (CDFs), or CDFs, to define groups of related but unconnected pages, Internet Explorer 4 displays them all simultaneously – saving you from downloading individual pages separately.
CDFs in Internet Explorer 4 allow you to create channels with different levels of permission for websites’ content, which makes it possible to restrict what your children see and use online. Furthermore, it boasts its own special version of Java that runs approximately 50% faster than its compiled counterpart – although these innovations have led to it becoming susceptible to spyware, adware and other forms of malicious software attacks.
IE 5
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 5 may be their finest Web browser yet. Its performance easily outshines that of Netscape Navigator 4.X, and is fully compliant with current internet standards.
It offers exciting new features to take full advantage of the Internet’s rich media content, such as internet radio stations accessible with a toolbar. In addition, it speeds up page browsing due to enhanced performance – automating common operations while autofilling addresses or Web forms is even possible!
The Tools menu gives you access to many of your browser’s advanced settings, including pop-up blocker, privacy and location settings. Within Privacy tab, you can block certain or all sites from displaying pop-up ads; with its Options dialog box providing finer-grained control of add-ons, file associations and applications that launch Web services like email and newsgroups; Internet Explorer 5 also introduced favicon support as well as the Windows Script Host for easier script execution.
IE 6
Released alongside Windows XP, Internet Explorer 6 was Microsoft’s attempt at getting users to switch from Netscape 7.1 (which wasn’t even a Web browser). Due to its proprietary extensions of HTML, CSS, and DOM pages can only open correctly with this browser; and features that protect users’ personal data while blocking malware-ridden sites are also part of its appeal.
IE 6 is an intuitive web browser with tabbed windows to display multiple Web pages simultaneously. Tools at the top of the screen enable users to navigate back and forward through pages, edit their current appearance or view site history while buttons below this area can add pages as bookmarks, print them out or search the Internet.
Internet Explorer’s help menu offers access to newsgroups and online support resources; furthermore, its own searchable database exists within its browser itself.
IE 7
Microsoft released Internet Explorer 7, codenamed Rincon, in October 2006. Intended as a competitive web browser against its counterparts like Firefox and Opera, IE 7 introduced many innovative features like tabbed browsing.
Internet Explorer 7 also supports RSS feeds and page zooming, and comes equipped with features to protect users against spyware and malware such as phishing filters, full ActiveX control separation and “Protected Mode,” which runs the web browser process within its own security sandbox.
Internet Explorer 7’s new URL parsing helps ensure consistent data processing and minimize any potential exploits, with other key improvements including a streamlined interface, advanced printing options, better support for web standards (although still failing Acid2 and Acid3 tests), instant search box support and no validation requirements when installing add-ons compared to prior versions allowing users to switch them off all together for optimal speed and reduced security risks.
IE 8
Internet Explorer 8 finally surpasses its closest competitor, Firefox, for basic browsing needs. It boasts superior tab handling and offers an intelligent address bar which shows results as you type.
Another amazing new feature is InPrivate Browsing mode, which does not save your history, temporary Internet files, cookies or form data. Furthermore, it includes SmartScreen filter protection against online phishing scams and clickjacking, an emerging threat to browser security.
Installation of Internet Explorer 8 on older Windows machines can be an arduous and time-consuming task, with long install times and frequent reboots required for successful deployment. Furthermore, its default rendering engine doesn’t conform strictly to web standards – Microsoft still supports legacy behaviors – which may make Web developers anxious. IE8 does bring several features designed to solve some problems web developers have encountered for years – such as deeper content integration within browsers, platform services for improved navigation and better search capability.
IE 9
Microsoft released Internet Explorer 10 in 2012 as an attempt to catch up to industry standards, supporting HTML5, Adobe Flash as the default player and Do Not Track (despite disapproval from some advertisers).
Microsoft currently supports Internet Explorer 10 until 2022 when they will transition over to supporting Microsoft Edge instead. IE 10 works with Windows 8 and older operating system versions as well as OEM editions of these OSs.
Internet Explorer (IE) is used to browse web pages on the Internet and access services such as banking, marketing and video streaming. IE often comes pre-installed with Windows operating systems and competes directly against Netscape Navigator as a popular web browser; it has also been widely criticized for its security issues – often becoming targets of malware infections.
