Internet Explorer 12 gets Chrome-like interface and supports extensions

Internet Explorer 12 should have a further simplified interface similar to Chrome and Firefox. In addition, Microsoft would like to give more space to browser extensions in the browser that is still under construction.

That reports the usually well-informed Neowin who would have seen an early version of the design of IE12. The successor to Internet Explorer 11 will receive a significantly changed interface, according to the tech site. It would resemble the “minimalist” design found in Chrome and recent versions of Firefox, among others. For example, from now on tabs will be placed at the top of the browser window with the title bar below. The address bar is placed directly below the tabs. The browser also gets ‘flattened’ navigation buttons to the left of the address bar.

Internet Explorer 12 is also getting support for browser extensions. These can also be found in browsers such as Chrome and Firefox. It is still unclear whether Microsoft will also come up with a special website on which extensions can be found, such as the Web Store of Chrome and the add-ons section of Firefox. Internet Explorer 11 does support plug-ins, but the range is limited and fragmented.

It is not yet clear whether IE12 will be included in the upcoming Technical Preview of Windows 9; only Internet Explorer 11 can be found in the screenshots published on Thursday.