Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) will stop providing support for its older versions of Internet Explorer, IE 8, IE 9, and IE 10, since January 12. The company encouraged people with the mentioned versions of the software to update it in order to enhance their security, performance, and web support. The latest version of the browser is also faster that its previous versions.
The company based in Redmond Washington added that people with Internet Explorer 11, the most advanced version of the browser, will be able to continuously receive technical support, security updates and compatibility fixes, even in older versions of the operative system such as Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. That being said, users with older versions of Internet Explorer can still use the navigator, but with security risks.
“Without critical browser security updates, your PC may become vulnerable to harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software which can steal or damage your business data and information. Security updates patch vulnerabilities that may be exploited by malware, helping to keep users and their data safer. Regular security updates help protect computers from malicious attacks, so upgrading and staying current is important,” wrote the company in a press release on Tuesday.
Users who are interested in getting new browsing functions can also download Microsoft Edge, the new web navigator developed by the tech maker, that features a Reading View mode that permit users to read web contents without ads. Also, it can be used with Cortana, the Microsoft’s voice assistant and it allows users to write notes and doodles over web pages that can later be saved as an image.
According to Netmarketshare, which carries statistics for technological companies, approximately 20 percent of the people who use a desktop web browser are navigating with Internet Explorer 8, 9 or 10. So the segment is still relevant. Specifically, about 8.95 percent of those people use the oldest version of the browser, IE 8.
It was also announced that since January 12 the support for Windows 8 will end, which means users who use that software version will be exposed to security risks if they do not update their system, since Microsoft will not issue more security patches for the system.
Earlier January, Microsoft announced that more than 200 million active users are enjoying the Windows 10 experience every month, it was confirmed that the adoption of the latest version of the system has been the most massive in history when comparing it to older versions, since it has overtaken Windows 8 by approximately 400%.
“People have spent over 11 billion hours on Windows 10 in December alone, spending more time on Windows than ever before. While many people upgrade because they want the safest and fastest Windows, they are finding new experiences to enjoy and have fun with. Whether using our new web browser, getting help from Cortana, our personal assistant, playing games, or being productive, people are spending more and more time on Windows,” said the company in a blog post.
In order to increase the sales of computers with Windows 10, Microsoft launched the Lumia 950 phone, that runs the same operative system, and is powered by a 20 MP camera with optical stabilization and a huge HD screen which merges with the PC screen to add extra functions, when using together the PC and the phone connected.
Source: Microsoft Blog