ActiveX is a
software framework created by Microsoft that adapts its earlier Component Object Model (COM)
and Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technologies for content
downloaded from a network, particularly from the World Wide Web. Microsoft
introduced ActiveXin 1996. In principle, ActiveX
is not dependent on Microsoft
Windows operating systems, but in practice, most ActiveXcontrols only run on Windows. Most also require the client to be running
on an x86-based computer because ActiveXcontrols contain compiled code. ActiveX is still supported as of Windows 10
through Internet Explorer 11, while ActiveX
is not supported in their default web browser Microsoft Edge.