Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Microsoft Is Planning to Phase Out Internet Explorer The tech giant is moving away from the ill-loved brand in favor of a new browser codenamed Project Spartan.

By Nina Zipkin

Internet Explorer, everyone's favorite punching-bag browser, will soon be retired.

At the annual Microsoft Convergence conference in Atlanta this week, chief marketing officer Chris Capossela said the company is searching for a new name for its latest browser, which is on track to be debuted with Windows 10. The company is currently developing the browser under the codename Project Spartan.

Related: Get Ready for Microsoft to Rev Up the Global Minecraft Machine

While Internet Explorer won't be completely gone in Windows 10, it seems that it will slowly be phased out. Aware of the criticisms being thrown at the browser, Microsoft released a series of ads the last couple of years asking users to "rethink your relationship with Internet Explorer," and forget that "browser you loved to hate," in an effort to rehab its image.

Capossela reportedly explained that the company's market research found that including "Microsoft" in the new browser name inspired more confidence and interest than the current Internet Explorer brand.

Related: Here's How One Tweet Led to Microsoft Buying Minecraft for $2.5 Billion

Internet Explorer has been a point of contention for the tech giant since the late '90s, when Microsoft decided to embed it into the Windows software, making it more difficult for users to use an alternate browser, and prompting waves of litigation worldwide.

The U.S. Department of Justice first filed an antitrust suit against Microsoft in 1998 which was resolved in 2011. In recent years, the European Union and Chinese government have investigated possible monopolistic practices on Microsoft's part, with the EU fining the company $732 million in 2013.

Related: Microsoft Is Buying Startups People Love. Yahoo? Not So Much.

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

Business News

These 3 Side Hustles Make the Most Money While Working Fewer Hours, According to a New Survey

The survey also found that having a side hustle doubled as a path to becoming more employable.

Side Hustle

I Made $14,000 in 1 Week With a Spontaneous Halloween Costume Side Hustle — Here's How

Sabba Keynejad was in art school when he started to refine his entrepreneurial skills.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Thought Leaders

These 3 Trends Will Change What It Means to Be an Entrepreneur in 2025

Here are three entrepreneurship trends from the new Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report that are changing the landscape for the future.

Franchise

The McRib Is Back, But Only at Select McDonald's — Here's Where to Find It

This scarcity is nothing new. In 2022, McDonald's announced a "Farewell Tour" for the McRib, suggesting that it might be the last time customers could get their hands on it.