Internet Explorer (IE) was a web browser developed by Microsoft and was once one of the most widely used web browsers globally. It was first introduced in 1995 and was pre-installed on Microsoft Windows operating systems, making it the default browser for many Windows users for several years.
Internet Explorer played a significant role in the history of web browsing, but its usage declined due to factors such as performance issues, security vulnerabilities, and the emergence of more modern and feature-rich web browsers. Microsoft encouraged users to transition to its newer browser, Microsoft Edge, which is based on different technology and offers improved performance, security, and compatibility with modern web standards.