Internet Explorer 2.0: Microsoft (1995) Microsoft was late to the game, but ultimately won the browser wars. Its first version of Internet Explorer was based on Mosaic technology licensed from Spyglass, but by version 3.0, the company had almost completely rewritten the code. The version shown here is 2.0 and already exhibits many of the modern interface features. Its debt to Mosaic and Netscape is evident, with back and forward buttons, a top-loading URL field and more.