by Happy Valentine’s Day – Internet Explorer is now dead. After Microsoft announced last year that it would phase out the legacy browser, Microsoft announced that it was permanently disabling Internet Explorer 11 on consumer versions of Windows 10.
The browser was previously available on Windows 10, although Microsoft noted that it was “discontinued” and “no longer supported”. Windows 11 never shipped with Internet Explorer since Microsoft switched to its new Edge browser.
Microsoft confirmed in December 2022 that it would proceed with its ultimate end-of-life update for older versions of Windows, adding Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) functionality to systems including Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, Edu, and IoT would disable.
Previously, Microsoft discontinued functionality for Windows 11 versions of Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022, but left the browser functional in the older versions of Windows that have been associated with enterprise. The December announcement was a final warning for businesses to upgrade to Microsoft’s current browser, Microsoft Edge, or risk having their business disrupted due to incompatibility.
However, there are still a few exceptions that maintain the browser’s support, including Microsoft’s Long-Term Servicing Channel for Windows 10 and releases like Windows 10 China Government Edition.
Today’s update prevents Internet Explorer from starting when you try to access it. It also deletes all IE11 dependent applications from various Windows 10 systems.
Admins and IT managers who took action to disable IE11 and upgrade to Microsoft Edge prior to February 14th do not need to take any action today. However, there is another update set for June 2023 that removes visual references to IE11, including IE11 icons, from the Windows 10 Start menu and taskbar.
Despite the eight-year hiatus on Internet Explorer, it’s already alive through Microsoft Edge with a “Reload in IE mode” button on the taskbar to get you used to using the newer browser. Internet Explorer mode allows you to view websites and applications based on older scripts and code in a more compatible way.
With this capability, Microsoft will continue to use the base technology that runs Internet Explorer, MSHTML, and the Trident engine for the foreseeable future. The brand plans to support IE mode at least until 2029.
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