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Microsoft: IE 8 Is the World's Most-Used Browser

Feb. 3, 2010 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

A post at the Windows Experience Blog (and not the IE Blog as one might expect) notes that Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 is now the world's most-used web browser.

This week, Net Applications released their January browser market share report. Their report shows that Internet Explorer 8 is not only the most popular browser on Windows with 27.9% usage share, but that it now has 25.6% of market share across all OS’s on a worldwide-weighted usage share basis (data provided by Net Applications). We launched just less than a year ago, so it’s both humbling and thrilling to see so many people choose our product so quickly – making it the most popular browser of choice worldwide.

There are many reasons people choose which browser to use. Most people want to know and trust the company behind their browser. And people are looking [for] a browser that protects them – and their privacy online. In an August 13th, 2009 post on the IEBlog, we announced Internet Explorer 8’s SmartScreen Filter had hit over 80 million malware blocks. But that was back in August. As of today, Internet Explorer 8 has done over 350 million malware blocks. You can see Internet Explorer 8’s SmartScreen Filter in action in this blog post. Internet Explorer 8’s SmartScreen Filter blocks malware over 2 million times a day.

Together, Internet Explorer 7 and 8 have blocked a total of over 125 million phishing sites.

Hopefully, there are some non-security reasons to choose IE 8 as well. :)

Discuss this Article 40

NoNameAtAll
on Feb 3, 2010
Doesn't change the fact that IE still has multitudes of issues. I refuse to run it. Ever. Firefox covers my needs quite well.
spivonious
on Feb 3, 2010
Firefox is too slow to start up and doesn't do much without add-ons. IE8 is the best browser out-of-the-box, Opera 10 a close second.
anonymous
on Feb 3, 2010
This post was mentioned on Twitter by EverythingMS: Microsoft: IE 8 Is the World's Most-Used Browser http://bit.ly/bGS00m
NoNameAtAll
on Feb 3, 2010
"Firefox is too slow to start up and doesn't do much without add-ons. IE8 is the best browser out-of-the-box, Opera 10 a close second." Funny, I have no issues with Firefox start up. Meanwhile, IE actually takes longer. And the add-ons are the cinch of Firefox. NoScript + Adblock Plus = MY kind of browsing.
redunion1940
on Feb 3, 2010
To each there own, I got tired of FF's memory usage that is why I went back to IE And the add-ons are pretty good Simple Adblock, and IE7pro tools Opera comes pretty close, These 3 are pretty close in what they offer, with each having there advantages, and that explains why Opera has a much lower user base, it doesn't offer much over FF or IE With FF you trade speed for better security if only for it being the smaller of the two nails, and more people viewing code.
rr0de74@live.com
on Feb 3, 2010
Malware reaches all time new levels in 2009. The recent Chinese attacks show us Windows is a big FAT target. What should a Windows user do? Turn on Automatic updates to ensure they patch the latest round of security holes in Windows. Automatic updates = IE8 IE8 via Automatic Updates = less IE7 and IE6. IE8 via AU installed by Joe User (click OK 29 times) makes IE8 default browser, even if Chrome or FF already is. Rocket Science? Maybe its FM? Black box technology?
rr0de74@live.com
on Feb 3, 2010
"There are many reasons people choose which browser to use. Most people want to know and trust the company behind their browser. And people are looking [for] a browser that protects them – and their privacy online" Really? Following that link provided you see this... IE Jan 2010 62.12% IE Dec 2009 62.69% IE Nov 2009 63.62% IE Oct 2009 64.64% IE Sep 2009 65.71% IE Aug 2009 66.97% IE Jul 2009 67.68% IE Jun 2009 68.32% Looks like they are NOT choosing IE and a ever increasing rate. IE8 is gutting other IE versions but IE is losing its arseeee.
NoNameAtAll
on Feb 3, 2010
"And the add-ons are pretty good Simple Adblock, and IE7pro tools" That's not out of the box, now is it?
qaelith.2112
on Feb 3, 2010
"Hopefully, there are some non-security reasons to choose IE 8 as well. :)" Too bad, because there really aren't. I don't even buy the security reasons. IE 8 does include a couple of nice security "features" but those are worthless when you've left the door open. Looking at the Secunia advisories over the past year, there has always been at least one major unpatched hole in IE 8 while most of the other browsers have seen the significant unpatched flaws come and go in a matter of days. Those security features may as well not be there if the bad guys are just going to direct the exploits at the gaping unpatched vulnerability. There really are no compelling reasons for using IE, even if we are to believe that it is secure. I added the only unique IE features (accelerators, webslices) to Firefox via addons and found that those particular features are utterly uncompelling. I removed them eventually due to a lack of use. According to Microsoft: "so it’s both humbling and thrilling to see so many people choose our product so quickly – making it the most popular browser of choice worldwide." Are they serious? Few people actually "choose" any version of IE. Most have simply failed to choose anything better. It's not a "choice", it's a default. Upgrades happen because some people really do run Windows Update on occasion and a new IE version happens to be among the available updates.
shark47
on Feb 3, 2010
"IE8 via AU installed by Joe User (click OK 29 times) makes IE8 default browser, even if Chrome or FF already is." If you blindly click OK 29 times while installing any software, you might actually end up installing Chrome (set to default) or the Google toolbar for IE some times. You might even install Safari on your machine and have it set as the default browser when you never had it previously.
chipwinter
on Feb 3, 2010
In Moss' Mailbox this week, Walt tells an IE6 user to not even bother with IE8.
GoodThings2Life
on Feb 3, 2010
@NoNameAtAll, neither is FF + AdBlock and NoScript, what's your point? Some people like IE, why attack them? I love how the only people bashing browser choice are the ones already using alternatives in attempt to what? Win us over through attacks? Get over yourself. @chipwinter, precisely why Walt Mossberg is an idiot. @the article itself... I've force IE8 installs to my entire corporation along with Windows Updates for security reasons. My users are still using IE mostly, but I install Firefox as part of the default system image and promote its use and allow them to decide for themselves.
DRWAM
on Feb 3, 2010
The fancy crap around the FF window decreases the vertical space quite a bit on my $399 Vista laptop. The kids don't like it, even customized with Jelly beans and Hello Kitty. They go straight to IE8. Also, Flash seems to have fewer problems with IE than FF.
rr0de74@live.com
on Feb 3, 2010
@DRWAM if its vertical space you want back, both Chrome and Safari are minimalistic and are MUCH faster than IE8. Go to google maps and using your mouse scroll wheel zoom in to where you live. Do this in IE8 and Chrome/Safari, IE8 chugs as it zooms in, badly.
Waethorn
on Feb 3, 2010
"Go to google maps and using your mouse scroll wheel zoom in to where you live. Do this in IE8 and Chrome/Safari, IE8 chugs as it zooms in, badly." Do it on Bing Maps, and get the benefit of 3D hardware acceleration - something you can't do on Google Maps.
gfryesc1
on Feb 3, 2010
"Hopefully, there are some non-security reasons to choose IE 8 as well. :)" why? you don't use it.
DRWAM
on Feb 3, 2010
rrode, I'll give it a try. I guess that it's dumb trying to just use as little software from third parties as possible if something works better. Thanks, Doc
Backup77
on Feb 3, 2010
The world's most used because 90% of people don't even know there is an alternative browser out there. Empowering people with choice can only be a good thing in terms of education and security.
Grannyville
on Feb 3, 2010
Though my main web browser is IE8 on my Windows machines, I'm hoping that IE9 will bring some nice refinements that will make it more of a competitor with the other browsers.
whiplash55
on Feb 3, 2010
The browser competition is good. Safari on Windows is surprisingly good, better than Chrome. FF is still my primary browser is fine as is IE8. @Doc. Its not dumb avoiding a lot of third party apps, keeps your machine clean and fast. I have a Vista desktop I wrecked by trying every third party I heard about, finally had to just reformat and reinstall, I was amazed at how fast the machine was once I had it back to where I needed. Picking a few quality apps and staying with it, keeps things fresh.
Grannyville
on Feb 3, 2010
@whiplash55 I agree with your view with Safari on Windows. I have that installed on my computer as well but it's mainly to visit Apple's website as IE8 has some problem navigating around it (anyone know why).
Waethorn
on Feb 3, 2010
"Safari on Windows is surprisingly good, better than Chrome." That reminds me of a slogan from the 60's: "For extra fun, take more than one. Take an extra carton of coke."
Waethorn
on Feb 3, 2010
" it's mainly to visit Apple's website as IE8 has some problem navigating around it (anyone know why)." It's because Apple is promoting this thing that they're calling "HTML5" that they wrote and control (along with Google), and are trying to push as the proposed standard onto the W3C (along with Google) for their own purpose. Newsflash: HTML5 won't be ratified until at least 2022. Meanwhile, Flash and Silverlight already offer 10x the functionality. If Apple and Google keep spattering about, the W3C is better off just killing HTML in favour of each vendor offering their own internet presentation platforms. That's really the way that Apple would like to take it. They want to control the web standard, probably as much so as Google. Luckily for their competitors, their relationship is breaking apart, and each of them doesn't have enough power to control anything on their own.
Ocean
on Feb 3, 2010
Wow. Wae is really, really wrong.
Logjamming
on Feb 3, 2010
And McDonald's is the largest food company in the world, serving more people than all Michelin-starred Restaurant combined. But McDonald's is crappy food. Just like IE is a crappy browser. IE-usage is not about choice, it's about you have to put up with because MS has made techdeals with companies (which they are currently under investigation by the EU).
Mark KB
on Feb 3, 2010
Waethorn is right about one thing - right now, no-one can agree on implementation specifics; meanwhile, everyone's decided to go their own way. The working group for HTML 5, as it is, is splintered and messy.
gorath
on Feb 3, 2010
do any of you "people don't choose IE8" folks realise that Win 7 in Europe, has no browser installed by default? Nope, thought not.
Andreas J
on Feb 4, 2010
IE 8 is a good browser. Not as good as chrome, but depending on where you're standing, it's better than Firefox(in speed and other areas). @Logjamming: I like McDonald's...
Dipsh t Admin
on Feb 4, 2010
"IE8 via AU installed by Joe User (click OK 29 times) makes IE8 default browser, even if Chrome or FF already is." No, that is simply wrong. The installer is very careful as to force you to select an answer. Most likely, if you have chosen to use Firefox or another browser, you will certainly know not to click where it forces you to choose one or the other in terms of default browser. "The world's most used because 90% of people don't even know there is an alternative browser out there" The math doesn't add up. IE has 62% share.
NoNameAtAll
on Feb 4, 2010
GoodThings2Life said: @NoNameAtAll, neither is FF + AdBlock and NoScript, what's your point? Some people like IE, why attack them? I love how the only people bashing browser choice are the ones already using alternatives in attempt to what? Win us over through attacks? Get over yourself. I'm not attacking anyone. I'm merely showing an alternative. Get over yourself.
argraphics
on Feb 4, 2010
I Still Use Netscape :)
roteague
on Feb 4, 2010
I've got IE8, Opera and Firefox, but IE8 gets 99% of the usage. I'm quite happy with it. Those who seem to think people only use IE out of ignorance simply don't seem to understand that people choose for a variety of reasons; look and feel being one. Personally, I find Firefox to be one of the ugliest browers on the market.
roteague
on Feb 4, 2010
"Logjamming said: IE-usage is not about choice, it's about you have to put up with because MS has made techdeals with companies (which they are currently under investigation by the EU)." Once again, you come up with these stupid statements, which have no basis in fact. You really need to learn to show common courtesy to others on this site.
EricoF3
on Feb 4, 2010
I think that no browser is better than others... They all have their own issue... The advantage of IE is issues are discovered quickly because it is the mostly used... But other have the same % of bugs and issues... They just don't discover them has quickly than IE... Personally I prefer FireFox but it is just a matter of choice...
Waethorn
on Feb 4, 2010
"The working group for HTML 5, as it is, is splintered and messy." The working group is Google - an data-sucking ad company - and Apple, maker of the iPud.
Waethorn
on Feb 4, 2010
" Personally, I find Firefox to be one of the ugliest browers on the market." I as well. Firefox is in a weird position though. Yes, it is the most popular browser next to IE, but Gecko isn't as close to written web standards as the incumbent Webkit browsers, nor Opera. That says a lot about these so-called "standards". Opera has some nice features but they stick to the old, ugly menu paradigm. I expect that of Firefox, but not Opera. For the most part, Opera's UI is fairly polished.
WebGuy3000
on Feb 4, 2010
"The working group is Google - an data-sucking ad company - and Apple, maker of the iPud." Just for fun, I looked up the composition of the HTML Working Group: http://www.w3.org/2000/09/dbwg/details?group=40318&public=1 A few quick searches of the company affiliations of 402 participants listed there yields: Opera: 17 matches Microsoft: 16 matches Mozilla: 15 matches Adobe: 13 matches Apple: 10 matches Google: 8 matches You couldn't be more wrong. That said, 402 people strikes me as way too many for a "working" anything.
subzerohitman721
on Feb 4, 2010
Reading the comments today, while some rather silly ones like logjamming and gfryesc1's, which just shows a lack of decency and common sense. Other comment's like gorath's, made me glad I read it. Good point, gorath, by the way! As for the point made about people not knowing about alternatives? I'm going call BS on that one. From the mainstream media, tech sites, radio programs like The Tech Guy, and others have been talking about browser alternatives for years. Also, web advertisement have been pushing these browser alternatives for quite sometime now. If people don't know, it's because people have this "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. The problem is that IE is severely broken from a security standpoint. A simple search on any search engine will find you Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc. It's really not that hard for anyone to think, maybe I can Google search an alternative to IE. I abandoned IE 8 in November and I'm glad I did. I'm very happy with Firefox 3.6. While it's not as good as say IE 8 in terms of some of the rendering and private browsing modes, it's still good enough for daily use. Chrome and Opera are also very good alternatives. Unfortunately, I really can't recommend Safari because of rendering and security issues. Apple does take too long in patching issues with Safari, sad to say. The fact is you really don't have to go with what one guys says over another. If your happy with Chrome, power to ya. If your happy with Opera, good for you. This isn't high school anymore, where you have to go with what's popular for the moment. I think the best choices are weighing both the pros and cons before making choices.
roblind
on Feb 4, 2010
IE 8 is my primary browser and I like it quite a bit. I think it's a workhorse browser though - not intended to be flashy or the fastest but it's compatible with everywhere I go on the internet, including special sites used by my university. Apple's website (incl. MobileMe) is the only site I've notice IE perform poorly on, but that's probably by Apple's design intention. I really do like the Accelerators and search providers in IE 8, especially the one that provide visual search suggestions. IE 8 is not without its shortcomings. I wish it would automatically arrange my favorites alphabetically, I prefer the download manager in Firefox, and some of Firefox's add-ons would be a nice touch. Overall though, I think IE 8 is a workhorse browser that does everything a user needs well.
gorath
on Feb 4, 2010
I've noticed a lot of folks with Google's chrome browser recently, and without exception, when I've asked them "Oh, so you use chrome? what do you think of it?" the reply is "huh? Oh that's what that icon is, it just appeared one day, I have no idea what it is" Seems to me, that chrome is being forced onto unwary comsumer's machines as well.

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