IE11 Testing on Mac: Why Internet Explorer Is Doomed

In recent years, the focus on Internet Explorer (IE) has gradually diminished as modern browsers have taken center stage in the Browser Wars. As a result, IE has become a headache for developers, particularly when it comes to web development and cross-browser compatibility issues. One of the primary reasons for these challenges is IE's failure to comply with W3C standards.

Launched many years ago, Internet Explorer was once the favorite browser among internet users. However, it never followed norms and web standards set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Despite being one of the oldest browsers in the market, IE has struggled to keep pace with modern browsers like Google Chrome, which rose to popularity in 2012-2013 and eventually dethroned IE.

IE's market share continued to decline over the past decade, and it is now a relic of the past. Microsoft's Edge browser is designed to take its place, but web developers and testers still question the involvement of IE in cross-browser compatibility projects. In March 2019, Microsoft Security Chief Chris Jackson urged users to avoid using Internet Explorer as much as possible and switch to more modern browsers.

In an effort to push users towards a more secure browsing experience, Microsoft even published a webpage prompting users to update their older versions of IE (IE10 or earlier) to the latest version, IE11. Support for IE11 is available on Windows 7, 8.1, and 10, but this means that only IE11 will receive security updates and compatibility fixes from Microsoft.

It's been more than six years since Internet Explorer received an upgrade from Microsoft, leaving many web developers and testers wondering if browser testing on Internet Explorer still makes sense. As we move forward into 2020, it's clear that the future of Internet Explorer lies in its past, and developers should focus on modern browsers for their cross-browser compatibility projects.

Ie11 testing on mac