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IN PHOTO: A lock icon, signifying an encrypted Internet connection, is seen on an Internet Explorer browser in a photo illustration in Paris April 15, 2014. About two thirds of all websites use code known as OpenSSL to help secure those encrypted sessions. Researchers last week warned they have uncovered a security bug in OpenSLL dubbed Heartbleed, which could allow hackers to steal massive troves of information without leaving a trace. REUTERS/Mal Langsdon

Microsoft has indicated that it is going to discontinue its veteran browser Internet Explorer. The software company has confirmed that it will have a different name for the upcoming browser it has been working on.

Project Spartan is the codename for the new Microsoft browser. Chris Capossela, Microsoft's marketing chief, said at Microsoft Convergence on Mar. 16 that the company was working on a new brand for the new browser. "We’re now researching what the new brand, or the new name, for our browser should be in Windows 10," Capossela said, "We’ll continue to have Internet Explorer, but we’ll also have a new browser called Project Spartan, which is codenamed Project Spartan.“

Even though Microsoft seems to look ahead, Internet Explorer is going to exist in certain versions of Windows 10. It is going to work especially for enterprise versions. However, Project Spartan is going to have a new name. It will also be the primary browser for Windows 10 users. Internet Explorer has not been a favourite for many over the years. While Microsoft tried shaking off its negative image, it has failed to impress the users.

According to Capossela, Microsoft’s name has a better appeal to users than Windows or IE. Using Microsoft’s name in front of the new browser’s name appeared to be more appealing to a number of Chrome users in the UK. Capossela said that the appeal was “incredibly high” for some UK Chrome users.

It remains uncertain when Microsoft will come up with the name for the new browser. However, there is a possibility that it will include the company name with the name of the browser. Capossela also talked about how Microsoft would do business in future. He spoke about the smart ways Microsoft had started using the social media. The company asked its artists to include personalised images while responding to Twitter users.

Some believe that Microsoft stopped trying to make IE a better browser long back. While IE 6 was released in 2001, Microsoft did nothing to improve the browser. During that time, Microsoft had a 95 percent market share. It did not upgrade it even after Firefox had been released. Web users started migrating soon.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au

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