Internet Explorer 5
Internet Explorer 5 is a graphical web browser developed by Microsoft and released on March 18, 1999, primarily for Microsoft Windows operating systems including Windows 95, 98, NT, and 2000.[1][2] Integrated into Windows 98 Second Edition and later bundled with products like Office 2000, it represented a pivotal advancement in Microsoft's strategy to embed browsing capabilities deeply within its ecosystem.[1]
IE5 introduced key features such as enhanced support for Dynamic HTML (DHTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), IntelliSense technology for form autocompletion, print preview functionality, offline browsing, and tools like the Search Assistant and Web Accessories.[1][3] These improvements aimed at faster rendering, better multimedia handling, and increased customization, positioning it as a more robust alternative to competitors.[3]
During the first browser wars, IE5 propelled Microsoft to surpass Netscape Navigator, attaining over 50% market share by early 2000 and contributing to Internet Explorer's overall dominance exceeding 75% that year.[1][4] This success stemmed from aggressive bundling with Windows and heavy investment—over $100 million annually by 1999—but also intensified antitrust scrutiny in the United States v. Microsoft Corp. litigation, which alleged anticompetitive practices in tying the browser to the OS.[5][6] Versions for Macintosh and Unix followed, though with limited adoption compared to the Windows edition.[1]