Microsoft codenames Internet Explorer 12 ‘Spartan’

IE black and white logo large

One of the missing pieces in the leaked Windows Technical Preview was to see a preview of the next version of Internet Explorer. However recent report suggests that Microsoft is already working on IE12, and it’ll feature a brand new look similar to Chrome and Firefox and it’s said it’ll support extensions too.

Today, new information from sources familiar to the project say that the codename for the next version of Internet Explorer is “Spartan”. Early last week someone pointed out to me that in the leaked version of Windows Threshold there is a listing for a “zSpartan” app on one of the screenshots published by WinFuture.de. Below is the screenshot showing the entry listed below the Video app in the new Start menu.

zSpartan app in Windows 9 Technical Preview

And there are also a couple of Microsoft’s job posting mentioning “Spartan” on the details, which may or may not be related to Internet Explorer Spartan.

Whatever the codename or final name Microsoft chooses for the next version of Internet Explorer, it will be interesting to see how the new UI matching Google Chrome and Firefox will work to bring more people to use the internet software.

Bringing extensions to IE 12 will be interesting to see too, as they are a bit tricky to implement keeping the browser secure. Also we still don’t know how users will get this new extensions – will Microsoft deliver them via the Windows Store or users will have to go to a special web portal to download them? I think Microsoft should use the Windows Store as it will help the company to grow the items in the store, it will keep software delivery centralized in one place, and making IE extensions only available through the store will keep things more secure.

There is no official word on when Microsoft will release Internet Explorer 12 or any official word for that matter. However, we’re expecting a final build to come included with the release of Windows 9 sometime in 2015.

Source ZDNet

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.