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Software Internet Web Browser Software Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer http://www.ereviewguide.com/media/reviews/photos/thumbnail/260x200c/5e/9f/f3/_internetexplorer_1298197763.jpg

February 20, 2011    
 
3.7 (6)

Software Summary

Software Company
Microsoft Corporation
Operating System
  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8

Internet Explorer is a Web Browser Software for Windows created by Microsoft Corporation.

Windows Internet Explorer Marketshare Declines

Though the popular web browser is known merely as Internet Explorer, its current full name is Windows Internet Explorer. This is a slight change from the former Microsoft Internet Explorer.  It should not be a surprise that the IE is the most used web browser. The usage peaked at 95% in 2002 to 2003 with versions 5 and 6. Through the years though, despite Microsoft’s 100 million US dollar yearly investment on the product, the IE is on the decline. At about 45%, the web browser is no longer dominant. IE is still one of the most popular web browsers but other developers are coming up with worthy competitions.

Internet Explorer Summary

The IE version 9 has just been released on March of 2011. Version 10 is already on the horizon, as well.  The software developers are making changes to each preceding version by hearing out suggestions through Microsoft Connect. After all, with the multimillion investment and the declining sales, there should be some serious attempts to truly upgrade the capabilities of each new IE.  The IE 9 can only run on Windows Vista SP2 and Windows 7.  This could hurt the IE in terms of increasing its patronage. However, the web browser makes up for it with additional functionalities.  Some of the Internet Explorer newer capabilities are the allowance for HTML video and audio tags, faster JavaScript handling and hardware accelerated graphics. The IE 9 is also designed to make web browsing more secure and more private.

Internet Explorer Features

Internet Explorer developers designs and continually improves the web browser with the vast variety of web pages in mind.  Developers want the IE to accommodate all sorts of formats. This flexibility, coupled with user-friendliness, is what makes the IE attractive to millions of users. The IE makes use of the Trident layout engine. It supports HTML, CSS, XML and DOM.  With the IE, Internet users can bookmark web pages that they particularly like. The pages that they browse also automatically become part of the Temporary Internet Files, except when private browsing has been turned on.  Users can also easily switch from one website to another with the IE’s tabbed format.  Those that are also using Windows 7 to house the web browser may also easily choose and drag a tab to pin at the taskbar at the bottom of the window.

Internet Explorer User Interface

The IE user interface is simple and easy to understand. The web browser has an integrated search engine, which allows the user to type in a keyword without having to key in the URL of the search engine. The tabbed format also allows easy switching between pages. This feature should make the IE 9 a handy tool for research.  There is no need to give up one website if the user wants to visit another.  There is also a smart toolbar at the top that shows some suggested sites.

Internet Explorer Software Review

The Internet Explorer, no doubt, is already a household name.  Though its dominance has declined through the years, it is still the go-to, trusted web browser. However, popularity has a price. Because the IE is very common, hackers and malware creators are finding it easy to infiltrate the browser. Security can be a big issue when it comes to the IE. This is why developers are constantly finding ways to make the product more secure. Speedy, easy to use and offering just about any technical feature out there, the Internet Explorer should remain one of the, if not the, most widely used web browsers out there. The clean, minimalist look still appeals to many users.

User reviews

Average user rating from: 6 user(s)

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Overall rating 
 
3.7
Effectiveness 
 
3.5  (6)
Features 
 
3.8  (6)
Support 
 
3.5  (6)
Usability 
 
3.8  (6)
Of course, everyone knows that Internet Explorer is the default shipped with Windows for web surfing. While it works fine, and is most compatible (thanks to developers who tend to write for IE instead of trying to be more universal), it also tends to have the most security holes of any browser software available. I personally think this is because Microsoft releases things before they are really ready for release, but that’s just my opinion. Regardless, if you are wanting to browse the web, IE will do it. I haven’t found any sites yet that don’t work in IE, so that’s something. My personal preference, however, is to use other browsers (most notably Google Chrome) unless a page requires IE, which is thankfully not too often!
Overall rating 
 
4.3
Effectiveness 
 
5.0
Features 
 
4.0
Support 
 
4.0
Usability 
 
4.0
Reviewed by di April 25, 2011
Top 10 Reviewer  -   View all my reviews (10)

Default

Of course, everyone knows that Internet Explorer is the default shipped with Windows for web surfing. While it works fine, and is most compatible (thanks to developers who tend to write for IE instead of trying to be more universal), it also tends to have the most security holes of any browser software available. I personally think this is because Microsoft releases things before they are really ready for release, but that’s just my opinion. Regardless, if you are wanting to browse the web, IE will do it. I haven’t found any sites yet that don’t work in IE, so that’s something. My personal preference, however, is to use other browsers (most notably Google Chrome) unless a page requires IE, which is thankfully not too often!

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I've been using Firefox for years because Internet Explorer was so insecure and buggy in earlier versions. Plus when I first started using Firefox, IE didn't have the tabbed browsing feature. Well, the last few updates to Firefox have left it unreliable so I finally tried Internet Explorer again and I've been pleasantly surprised.

The latest incarnation has all the bells and whistles that I turned to Firefox for years ago and it's much, much faster than it used to be. I am not sure if it's more secure now or not but so far I haven't had any issues with viruses or malware. Before, I couldn't go two days without a warning from my protection software.
Overall rating 
 
4.0
Effectiveness 
 
4.0
Features 
 
5.0
Support 
 
3.0
Usability 
 
4.0
Reviewed by morsell November 25, 2011
Top 10 Reviewer  -   View all my reviews (5)

Vastly improved over earlier versions

I've been using Firefox for years because Internet Explorer was so insecure and buggy in earlier versions. Plus when I first started using Firefox, IE didn't have the tabbed browsing feature. Well, the last few updates to Firefox have left it unreliable so I finally tried Internet Explorer again and I've been pleasantly surprised.

The latest incarnation has all the bells and whistles that I turned to Firefox for years ago and it's much, much faster than it used to be. I am not sure if it's more secure now or not but so far I haven't had any issues with viruses or malware. Before, I couldn't go two days without a warning from my protection software.

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In my opinion, Internet Explorer will work fine for anyone doing basic web surfing. It has adequate features available to the user. It is user friendly for an internet novice. When it is required, the customer support provided is satisfactory. I think it comes standard on most systems is because it is a satisfactory basic product.

However, I have found that once you get into more graphics, videos, etc... Internet Explorer is the first to freeze your system, forcing a reboot. I first blamed these things on my graphic card, and operating system. I then decided to switch to Mozilla Firefox, and have had none of these problems since. I would recommend Internet Explorer to anyone who is learning to operate the internet, and who will only be doing basic internet functions.
Overall rating 
 
4.0
Effectiveness 
 
4.0
Features 
 
4.0
Support 
 
4.0
Usability 
 
4.0
Reviewed by KelC23 May 23, 2011
Top 10 Reviewer  -   View all my reviews (10)

Not the best option...

In my opinion, Internet Explorer will work fine for anyone doing basic web surfing. It has adequate features available to the user. It is user friendly for an internet novice. When it is required, the customer support provided is satisfactory. I think it comes standard on most systems is because it is a satisfactory basic product.

However, I have found that once you get into more graphics, videos, etc... Internet Explorer is the first to freeze your system, forcing a reboot. I first blamed these things on my graphic card, and operating system. I then decided to switch to Mozilla Firefox, and have had none of these problems since. I would recommend Internet Explorer to anyone who is learning to operate the internet, and who will only be doing basic internet functions.

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I have used Internet Explorer many times in the past. I find it to be not the best choice for myself. It is way too slow for me. I need something much faster! I also have the issue of it crashing a lot. To say the least, it isn't very reliable. I believe it is the default on most computers and laptops these days. I wish that would change! The functionality of Internet Explorer is alright. If given the option, I am more likely to use Google Chrome.
Overall rating 
 
3.8
Effectiveness 
 
4.0
Features 
 
4.0
Support 
 
3.0
Usability 
 
4.0
Reviewed by Andrea White November 02, 2011
Top 50 Reviewer  -   View all my reviews (5)

Not my first choice...

I have used Internet Explorer many times in the past. I find it to be not the best choice for myself. It is way too slow for me. I need something much faster! I also have the issue of it crashing a lot. To say the least, it isn't very reliable. I believe it is the default on most computers and laptops these days. I wish that would change! The functionality of Internet Explorer is alright. If given the option, I am more likely to use Google Chrome.

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Internet Explorer is the default web browser on all Windows computers, but I do not know anyone who actually uses it anymore. It is riddled with security gaps that allow malware, spyware and viruses to invade your computer.

While Internet Explorer is functional, it tends to be slow, especially when loading pages full of flash or something. It also crashes a lot, again when loading high flash pages. Let’s face it most pages these days have a ton of flash on them, so Microsoft needs to step up its’ game and fix that problem already. It isn’t like it is a new thing. If Mozilla can do it, then Microsoft should be able to as well.

I quit using IE because I just got tired of it crashing all the time, but I had to use it the other day and in 20 minutes IE crashed 4 times.
Overall rating 
 
3.3
Effectiveness 
 
2.0
Features 
 
3.0
Support 
 
4.0
Usability 
 
4.0
Reviewed by DaisyMae May 24, 2011
#1 Reviewer  -   View all my reviews (10)

Internet Explorer slow and unreliable

Internet Explorer is the default web browser on all Windows computers, but I do not know anyone who actually uses it anymore. It is riddled with security gaps that allow malware, spyware and viruses to invade your computer.

While Internet Explorer is functional, it tends to be slow, especially when loading pages full of flash or something. It also crashes a lot, again when loading high flash pages. Let’s face it most pages these days have a ton of flash on them, so Microsoft needs to step up its’ game and fix that problem already. It isn’t like it is a new thing. If Mozilla can do it, then Microsoft should be able to as well.

I quit using IE because I just got tired of it crashing all the time, but I had to use it the other day and in 20 minutes IE crashed 4 times.

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Internet Explorer was my browser of choice or should I say the browser I was stuck with before my eyes were opened to the world of better choices. I had dealt with years of crashing and slow browsing with Internet Explorer, because I did not know I had options.

If you are going to use Internet Explorer be prepared for a lot of frustration. If you are lucky you might get to navigate the page you are going to before it crashes and you have to start over. More likely than not, that won’t happen. After a few tries you will be ready to throw in the towel and you won’t be making any progress at all.

You would think that the brilliant minds at Microsoft would be able to fix this instability but apparently it is not high on their priority list.
Overall rating 
 
2.8
Effectiveness 
 
2.0
Features 
 
3.0
Support 
 
3.0
Usability 
 
3.0
Reviewed by Casey James May 28, 2011
Top 50 Reviewer  -   View all my reviews (5)

Internet Explorer sucks!

Internet Explorer was my browser of choice or should I say the browser I was stuck with before my eyes were opened to the world of better choices. I had dealt with years of crashing and slow browsing with Internet Explorer, because I did not know I had options.

If you are going to use Internet Explorer be prepared for a lot of frustration. If you are lucky you might get to navigate the page you are going to before it crashes and you have to start over. More likely than not, that won’t happen. After a few tries you will be ready to throw in the towel and you won’t be making any progress at all.

You would think that the brilliant minds at Microsoft would be able to fix this instability but apparently it is not high on their priority list.

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