Should you drop support for Internet Explorer 11?

Web developers expressed relief and joy when Microsoft announced that its applications would end support for Internet Explorer 11 in August 2021, although the browser still follows the support cycle of its platforms. Despite IE 11 accounting for only about 1% of internet traffic, the decision to drop its support should be carefully considered, taking into account user demographics, business models, and service level agreements. Businesses must weigh the costs and benefits, such as improved development cycles and modern API access versus potential user loss and contract breaches. A pragmatic approach to dropping support can involve phased strategies like providing fallback experiences or progressive enhancements to ensure a smooth user transition to modern browsers. The article emphasizes the importance of balancing developer efficiency with user inclusivity, advocating for thoughtful and empathetic decision-making when phasing out legacy browser support.