WordPress drops IE6 support
The open source blog platform ditches support for Microsoft’s aged browser.


WordPress will no longer support Internet Explorer 6 (IE6), an executive from the company announced today.
Jane Wells, UX lead for WordPress, confirmed it would no longer offer support for the aging browser that even Microsoft itself is trying to encourage users way from.
Even Microsoft is counting down to IE6s extinction!
"[IE6] has required increasingly complex code trickery to make the WordPress dashboard work in the IE6 browser, which was introduced 10 years ago and does not support current web standards," she wrote in a blog post.
"Even Microsoft is counting down to IE6s extinction!"
WordPress has made it easy to upgrade though, building in its own link to download Microsoft's up-to-date browser IE9 and Wells encouraged users, for both aesthetic reasons and safety concerns, to move with the times.
"While we were [looking at IE6], we started looking at other older browsers, and it makes us cringe a little when we see people using them, because the web could be so much better for them (not to mention more secure) if they would update to their favorite browser's current version," she added.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
As a result, WordPress has also incorporated a feature which will show users of any old browsers links to the upgrade and a link to the Browse Happy website to "learn a little more about your options."
In May last year, Microsoft compared IE6 to spoiled milk and admitted security features had become "out-dated."
It has even launched a countdown site to show the dwindling numbers of IE6 users and to encourage more to upgrade.
Jennifer Scott is a former freelance journalist and currently political reporter for Sky News. She has a varied writing history, having started her career at Dennis Publishing, working in various roles across its business technology titles, including ITPro. Jennifer has specialised in a number of areas over the years and has produced a wealth of content for ITPro, focusing largely on data storage, networking, cloud computing, and telecommunications.
Most recently Jennifer has turned her skills to the political sphere and broadcast journalism, where she has worked for the BBC as a political reporter, before moving to Sky News.
-
Third time lucky? Microsoft finally begins roll-out of controversial Recall feature
News The Windows Recall feature has been plagued by setbacks and backlash from security professionals
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
The UK government wants quantum technology out of the lab and in the hands of enterprises
News The UK government has unveiled plans to invest £121 million in quantum computing projects in an effort to drive real-world applications and adoption rates.
By Emma Woollacott Published