Even though Microsoft has released major new versions of Internet Explorer on a regular basis, there are still a number of businesses our there who have yet to update the browser beyond IE8. That may be part of the reason why that version is still the most used browser worldwide, according to Net Applications.
Now a new report claims that Microsoft is working on an additional mode for IE11 that's been designed for businesses who may still want to support IE8 for some of their applications. ZDNet states, via unnamed sources, that the feature is being called Enterprise Mode for IE internally. If a business still needs to use IE8 for internal websites and apps, the Enterprise Mode for IE can be activated in IE11 to load those sites in a manner that's compatible with the older browser.
This will, in theory, allow businesses to upgrade to IE11 without having to revamp their older apps and websites that still run best in IE8. This kind of support is likely to be important to Microsoft as some of their newest products like Office 365 and Office 2013 don't run in IE8. This feature should open up the use of those software programs to companies that would normally not be able to purchase them because they are still tied down to IE8.
Microsoft has so far not officially announced the development for Enterprise Mode for IE so it's currently unclear when it will be added in an IE11 update. However, it has been spotted as part of the Windows 8.1 Update 1 leaks so it's possible that it will be included when it is released this spring.
Source: ZDNet | Image via Microsoft
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