Microsoft is giving its users 17 months to stop using Internet Explorer 8, about a year earlier than previously expected.

Only the most recent version of Internet Explorer will receive the latest security updates and technical support available for a supported operating system, said Roger Capriotti, director for Internet Explorer.

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He adds that Microsoft will stop supporting older versions by January 12, 2016.

The business sector will be hard hit by this change since many haven't yet upgraded their systems to Windows 7 or 8, which means they'd also have to upgrade their Internet Explorer version.

Microsoft will support Internet Explorer 9 on Windows 9; Internet Explorer 10 on Windows Server 2012 and Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 and 8.1.

Although browsers will stop receiving updates and technical support from Microsoft, they'll still continue to work on operating systems they're installed on.

Capriotti insisted that running a modern, updated browser is essential for the fastest service and most secure experience online.

Microsoft did promise to continue technical support for any Internet Explorer version as long as the operating system was able to run it. This news, however, is taking the company into a new direction from its previous support policy.

For example, Internet Explorer 7 should be able to continue receiving support until 2017 when Windows Vista support is to end.

Windows 7 should also be able to support Internet Explorer 8 up to 2020 and Internet Explorer 10 should also continue to do so until 2023 when Windows 8 should end.

Internet Explorer 8 is the most popular version to date and makes up 37 percent of Internet Explorer users compared to the latest version, Internet Explorer 11 that only has 29 percent.

Tagsinternet explorer, internet explorer 8, internet explorer 9, internet explorer 11, windows vista, Windows 8, windows 8.1, microsoft ends support for explorer