Culture

Internet Explorer through the years (screenshots)

As Microsoft's browser turns 15, CNET takes a look back at its journey from birth through its turbulent teenage years and into the future.

Ina Fried

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley.

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Ina Fried

Aug. 16, 2010 11:56 a.m. PT

1 of 9 Greg Shultz/TechRepublic

The evolution of Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer has evolved quite a bit over its 15-year history.

In a story, timeline, and photo gallery, CNET takes a look back at where IE has been and where it is headed as the company prepares to release a beta of IE9 next month.

2 of 9 Greg Shultz/TechRepublic

IE 2.0

The "About Internet Explorer" dialog box from Microsoft's second browser, IE 2.0.

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3 of 9 Greg Shultz/TechRepublic

Internet Explorer joins Windows

Internet Explorer 3.0 was the first version of the browser to be directly included with Windows. It also added support for .jpg and .gif images and the playback of streaming audio without the need for a separate helper application.

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4 of 9 Greg Shultz/TechRepublic

IE 4.0

Internet Explorer 4.0 was introduced in 1997, but entered the mainstream the next year with the release of Windows 98, which included the browser and support for Dynamic HTML (DHTML).

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5 of 9 Greg Shultz/TechRepublic

IE5

Released in September 1998, IE5 expanded on the support for DHTML and allowed for greater personalization.

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6 of 9 Screenshot by Ina Fried/CNET

The browser that won't die

Internet Explorer 6, seen here showing a CNET home page from August 16, 2010, has remained venerable despite being nearly 9 years old--a fact that has drawn much dismay from Web developers, browser rivals, and even Microsoft itself, which must support the browser as long as Windows XP remains under active support.

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7 of 9 CNET

Internet Explorer 7

IE7, Microsoft's first full overhaul of the browser since the 2001 debut of Windows XP, added a variety of features, including tabbed browsing.

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8 of 9 CNET

IE8, accelerated

IE8 added features such as Web slices and another, called Accelerators, seen here. The Accelerator feature is a separate context menu that appears when you highlight a word or phrase.

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9 of 9 CNET

A preview of IE9

Microsoft has released a "platform preview" of IE9, the next version of Internet Explorer.

Although it lacks a user interface--even a back button--the preview shows key features, including a faster JavaScript engine, improved HTML5 support as well as the ability to tap a computer's graphics chip to accelerate text and graphics.

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