Microsoft is the latest big company that’s disabling Flash Player by default in its browsers, as it’s trying to encourage the transition to HTML5 for a more secure, faster, and cleaner experience.

As a result, all Flash content will be disabled by default in Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer starting with the upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update, with browsers instructed to display the HTML5 version of a website if available.

Flash won’t be loaded at all in case HTML5 is detected, and this should help improve performance, battery life, and security, but in the case of sites that still use Flash, users will be allowed to decide if they want to load it or not. This option can be remembered for next visits, the company says.

“We are deeply aware that Flash is an integral part of many web experiences today. To ease the transition to HTML5, these changes initially will not affect the most popular sites which rely on Flash today,” Microsoft explained.

“In the coming months, we will actively monitor Flash consumption in Microsoft Edge and will gradually shorten the list of automatic exceptions. At the end of this process, users will remain in control, and will be able to choose Flash for any site they visit.”

Change to debut in Windows 10 preview builds

This change will be originally implemented for Windows 10 preview builds, so insiders will be the first to witness the demise of Flash Player in Windows 10, while everyone else should get it in the Creators Update due in the spring.

Microsoft encourages web developers to abandon Flash Player and to move to alternative technologies, including JavaScript and HTML5 Encrypted Media Extensions, Media Source Extensions, Canvas, Web Audio, and RTC, pointing out that the top browsers right now are doing the same thing, including Google, Apple, and Mozilla.

This should eventually lead to improved performance, greater stability, and stronger security, Microsoft says, and this is exactly what the company is aiming for with its Edge browser.