I’m absolutely sick and tired of hearing about how we’re stuck with Internet Explorer 6, because of corporate environments that don’t permit upgrades to a non web standards browser.

A recent article in Sitepoint, Boagworld’s podcasts – even a site dedicated to prompting users to get rid of IE6 – all talk about how corporate environments are allowing IE6 to live on.

How have they come to this conclusion?  Where are the published, meaningful statistics to back up this claim?  Have they questionned a number, or cross section, of corporate users to draw this conclusion?  Have any of the web designers and developers touting for the end of IE6 worked in these corporations, and seen the reality?

Let me make something clear from the start – I’m in support of getting rid of IE6.  It’s a horrid browser for web designers and developers to work with, due to its numerous issues and lack of web standards compliance.  Development times lengthen to provide fixes and hacks to ensure a web site functions in IE6 – even at a basic level.  Microsoft have moved on from IE6 with the launch of IE7, and more recently IE8.  Rival  browsers have also gained market share.

Why is Internet Explorer 6 still around?

1. A bespoke intranet or web application breaks in newer browsers, and there’s no budget to upgrade it.

I specifically target bespoke intranets or web applications, because these will typically have been built in house or by a small development company specific for the client.  The client may not have the budget to pay for upgrades (“if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”), and IT departments would have a hard time “selling” an upgrade – even with the security enhancements of moving away from Internet Explorer 6.  Most companies simply don’t have a budget for IT support and development – it’s typically an ad hoc arrangement.

2. The user still has Windows 2000 (which doesn’t work with IE7 and IE8)

General Browser OS stats from W3Schools suggest that the Windows 2000 has a market share of around 1% (June 2009).  That’s 1 in 100 computers that cannot run IE7 or IE8.  It’s true that these computers could run a secondary browser alongside IE6, and it’s a small number of potential IE6 users.

3. Vista was a flop

Windows Vista comes with IE7.  However, Windows Vista has been regarded as a slip up on Microsoft’s part.  They produced an operating system that proved slow, and required huge computer resources to run smoothly.  There was also a major shift in terms of application compatibility – one IT support firm I worked for found existing applications would freeze or simply not run under Windows Vista, when they worked fine under Windows 2000 and XP.  These applications weren’t in house developments either, but large products from leading CRM (IBM) and accountant software houses.

As corporate downtime means lost revenue, IT departments have been forced to either issue a quick fix, or opt for the downgrade route to Windows XP.

But why would downgrading to Windows XP cause us problems with IE6?

4. Windows XP doesn’t always come with Internet Explorer 7

This is my killer point.  Even at Windows XP SP3, system manufacturers, such as Dell, are offering desktops and laptops with the XP downgrade option that, by default, comes with Internet Explorer 6.  In most IT environments, such as the one I’ve worked in, IE6 would be upgraded to IE7 (and now, IE8), without a moment’s thought.  But not everyone will want to do that – for the reasons given above, and the reasons given below.

5. The Netbook Market Explosion = more Windows XP, please

Netbooks are small, low powered laptops, designed for basic email and internet connectivity.  Most run Windows XP – which as above, we see doesn’t always come with Internet Explorer 7.  Users could upgrade their browser to something else, but why would they want to?  If IE6 does the job for them, why suddenly introduce the hassle of having to install an upgrade?

6. Users simply want to browse the web

Users are fickle.  The average Joe Public doesn’t care less about which browser they use, or which Twitter and Facebook plugins give them the best stalking friend tracking abilities.  They’re more interested in browsing web sites on topics they’re interested in, perhaps checking their emails online, ordering something from a shop, booking a holiday etc.

We know that application usability typically dictates that a user will do anything to get to the end result as fast as possible – whether that be dismissing prompts, question boxes etc.  Automatic Updates might ask the user about IE7 – some may opt to go with the upgrade, others may opt to ignore or cancel the upgrade so they can get back to what they’re doing.

So what next for Internet Explorer 6?

Windows 7, due to be released October 22nd 2009, moves us away from Internet Explorer 6.  Specific editions allow for XP mode, a virtualised Windows XP machine within Windows 7 – meaning legacy desktop applications can still be supported in corporate environments.  In Europe, it provides a ballot screen, allowing the user a choice of browser.  Even if the majority stick with Internet Explorer as a result, it won’t be version 6, which is a step in the right direction.

In terms of its system requirements, Windows 7 isn’t much different from Windows Vista – we’re told it’s less the annoying bugbears of Vista.  Computer hardware has evolved since the release of Vista, with Intel and nVidia producting some brilliant low powered, yet powerful, Atom and Ion processors and chipsets, meaning OS and software newer than Windows XP is starting to become a reality – and therefore helping IE6’s user base to slowly decline.