Some users will no longer be able to use Gmail and other Google software starting in 2021. But who are affected?
Some Gmail users may suddenly find themselves blocked from the popular email service next year after Google announced it was forced to make a major change. The company confirmed that it will no longer support certain software, such as Gmail and Google Meet, for those using Internet Explorer 11.
This decision may seem strange to many, as most people believe that Internet Explorer is not used by many users. However, the truth is that it still has a huge user base.
According to NetMarketShare statistics , Internet Explorer is the fourth most popular browser in the world, ahead of Safari but behind Chrome , Edge, and Firefox . This means that it is likely that millions more users choose it.
If you're one of those users and access Google services through Workspace, you don't have long to make the switch.
Google says that its suite of apps including Gmail, Meet, Calendar, and Drive will officially stop supporting IE 11 on March 15, 2021.
The reason Google is ending support is because Microsoft recently announced that it will stop supporting Internet Explorer 11.
In a blog post, Google said: “We recommend our users switch to a different browser as soon as possible to avoid any service disruptions, such as degraded performance or vulnerabilities . Google Workspace will officially stop supporting IE 11 on March 15, 2021.”
“In the coming weeks, we will begin showing a banner to all Google Workspace users still using IE 11, informing them of the need to upgrade their browser by March 15, 2021.”
It's no surprise that Google recommends its own browser, Chrome, for the best experience with the company, saying that its browser "supports all Google Workspace features."
Google Workspace isn't the only software that no longer works in IE 11.
Microsoft recently confirmed that the Teams is now blocked from accessing this web browser. According to a statement from Microsoft: “While we know this change will be difficult for some customers, we believe they will get the most out of Microsoft 365 when they use the new Microsoft Edge. We are committed to helping make this transition as smooth as possible.”
