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Internet Explorer usage on the rise after months of decline

Internet Explorer usage on the rise after months of decline

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Microsoft's Internet Explorer has gained a percent in desktop browser market share, the first time it has gained market share since early last year.

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Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5
Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5

When it comes to browsing, Internet Explorer has stayed consistently on top, but Chrome has been steadily chipping away at its lead — it even overtook IE briefly last month. The latest data from Net Market Share, however, suggests that Internet Explorer may be on the rebound. The browser you loved to hate gained about a percent last month, corresponding with a small drop in all the other major desktop browsers. At 53.83 percent, it's still lower than it was in March of 2011, when it stood at 58.35 percent. However, this is the first time it's reversed the drop that has been going on since at least early 2011.

Aside from Microsoft's recent advertising push, PC World also chalks this up to Microsoft's willingness to finally leave IE6 behind as it develops new versions. It's important to keep in mind, though, that these trends only hold for desktop browsers. On desktop, for instance, Chrome has been stagnating since the beginning of the year, but it's still steadily growing if you count mobile browser use. Likewise, Internet Explorer is still falling by this measure. With Windows poised to expand its mobile and tablet presence, it's possible that Microsoft will be able to make a larger comeback, but it also puts more pressure on Windows Phone and Windows 8 for tablets.