Google Internet Explorer is a common misconception-there is no such product. The confusion arises from mixing Google Chrome and Microsoft Internet Explorer (now replaced by Microsoft Edge). Google and Microsoft are separate companies with distinct web browsers.
The mix-up likely stems from Google being a dominant search engine and Microsoft historically bundling Internet Explorer with Windows. Many users assume Google owns Internet Explorer because they associate Google with all web-related services. However, Google developed Chrome, while Microsoft created Internet Explorer and later Edge.
Internet Explorer (IE) was Microsoft's default web browser from 1995 until 2022, when it was discontinued in favor of Microsoft Edge. IE used proprietary technologies like ActiveX controls and VBScript, which were phased out due to security concerns and lack of compatibility with modern web standards.
| Browser | Developer | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | 2008 | |
| Microsoft Edge | Microsoft | 2015 (replaced IE in 2022) |
| Mozilla Firefox | Mozilla Foundation | 2002 |
| Safari | Apple | 2003 |
If you need to use Internet Explorer for legacy applications, you can still access it through Microsoft Edge. Here's how:
Many people think Google offers Internet Explorer, but Google only provides Chrome. Another misconception is that Internet Explorer is still the default browser on Windows-it was replaced by Edge in 2022. Some users also assume Internet Explorer supports modern web standards, but it lacks compatibility with many current web technologies.
Understanding the difference between Google and Internet Explorer is important for going through modern web browsers correctly. While Google Chrome is widely used, Internet Explorer remains available for legacy purposes through Microsoft Edge.