Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) is a particular version of of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer web browser which has caused web developers headaches for the past decade. Despite this version of the software being over 10 years old – and actually two versions out of date following the launch of 7 and 8 – IE6 remained one of the most popular web browsers until very recently.

The latest statistics indicate that users of the troublesome browser are finally on the decline, with people upgrading to Windows Vista and/or Windows 7 – both supplied with newer, more capable web browsers. The growth of other browsers such as Apple Safari, Google Chrome and Firefox has also had an impact on IE6.

Based on an analysis of 15 billion page views in May 2010, StatCounter’s numbers indicate that IE6 usage in the U.S. has fallen to as low as 4.7% from 11.5% in the last 12 months.

As far as other web browsers go, IE8 holds 30.49% market share in the U.S., followed by Firefox 3.6 with 19.85% and IE7 with 16.64% market share.

On an average project we spend a large percentage of our time testing (and bug fixing) on many web browsers on various platforms (Windows, Mac and Linux) to ensure every visitor has the same experience on our websites – regardless of their computer or web browser. By far the most problematic web browser for web developers is without doubt, Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 6 (IE6).

Most web developers will tell you – the problems with IE6 begin with the lack development that Microsoft originally put into to the application. Simple HTML Code and CSS that works perfectly on every other web browser, quite often, produces unexpected results in IE6 – and thus, over the years, a plethora of standards–friendly hacks and ‘work–arounds’ have been produced by the web development community.

Bugs aside, the biggest challenge facing every web developer has been the sheer popularity of IE6. When Microsoft released Windows XP, it was released with IE6 pre–installed and thus to many users Internet Explorer 6 is ‘the internet’ on their machines. Due to the huge market share Windows has, it obvious why IE6 was, until recently, by far the most popular web browser.

Why are people still using IE6?
Amazingly, Internet Explorer 6 was first released in 1999 – ten years ago! In that time Microsoft has updated Windows several times. So why are so many web users still using a piece of software that, aside from being unreliable, unsecured and buggy at best – is ten years behind other web browsers?

The short answer is – because these users don’t know any different! Over the years Microsoft has in fact updated Internet Explorer with version 7. Indeed, version 8 is fast upon us (and can be downloaded as a BETA version) – however these remain ‘unknown’ to many Windows users due to it not being a ‘compulsory’ update. Unless they have upgraded from XP to Vista, it is highly unlikely that your average Windows user will have manually sought after the upgrade to Internet Explorer 7.

A step in the right direction
Since Internet Explorer 8 was announced and launched as a BETA Version download earlier this year – there has been a sharp rise in the number of web sites (and web developers) discontinuing support for IE6 – including Internet ‘heavyweights’ such as Facebook.

After 10 years – during which we’ve seen a rise in the popularity of ‘alternative’ web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Opera, and the increase in popularity of Apple Mac’s (complete with their own browser, Safari) has soared, not to mention to increase in the number of users finally upgrading to IE7 and 8. It seems IE6 use is finally on the decline. Web developers rejoice everywhere! Web technology has moved on a great deal in the last decade – and IE6 has in many ways, been left behind.

To offer IE6 support or not?
In software development, it is the norm to support the 2 latest versions of an application – in the case of Internet Explorer this will soon be 7 and 8. As I write this article, IE6 is actively being ‘phased out’ by web developers in preparation for IE8′s full launch – many sites are displaying messages aimed at IE6 users (informing them to upgrade for a better web browsing experience). Microsoft themselves are now more actively informing users to upgrade to newer versions of Internet Explorer 6. And finally, some newer web developments are preventing IE6 users from accessing their developments altogether.

As of March this year, statistics produced by W3Schools indicate that Internet Explorer 6 users now account for just 17% of all web traffic. A huge decrease, however this is still a statistic too large to ignore in my opinion. Almost 20% of the average website’s visitors are still using IE6 which could equate to 20% of potential sales…

As we progress further into 2009, it’s likely we will see more ‘big name’ websites discontinuing support for IE6 as more and more users upgrade. However until that 17% figure decreases further, I will continue to recommend to our clients that their projects offer a degree of accommodation to IE6 users, at least until IE8 is fully launched.

So, for the foreseeable future at least, it’s “happy IE6 bug fixing”!

Are you an IE6 User?
If you’re using Internet Explorer on Windows XP, click on the Help menu at the top of your screen, locate the ‘About Internet Explorer’ option. This dialogue will tell you your version of Internet Explorer.

If you are using IE6, I strongly recommend you update your web browser to one of those listed below. As outlined above, for the immediate future IE6 is still supported, but this support is being ‘phased out’. It is likely you will start to experience web browsing difficulties as more sites discontinue IE6 support.

Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Internet Explorer – Homepage
Google Chrome
Apple Safari
Opera