Internet Explorer (IE) was one of the most popular web browsers in the world for many years, but it also faced many challenges and criticisms, such as security issues, compatibility problems, and performance limitations. As technology and web standards evolved, IE became outdated and unable to keep up with modern web experiences. Microsoft realized that it needed a new browser that could meet the needs of users and developers in the 21st century.
That’s why Microsoft introduced Edge, a new browser based on Chromium, an open-source project that powers many other browsers such as Google Chrome and Opera. Edge offers faster speed, better security, more privacy, and more features than IE. Edge also supports legacy IE-based websites and applications using a feature called IE mode, which allows users to access them without leaving Edge.
Microsoft announced that it would phase out IE gradually and encourage users to switch to Edge. The first step was ending support for all versions of IE on Microsoft 365 and other apps on August 17, 2021. This meant that users could no longer access these apps using IE and had to use Edge or another supported browser instead.
The second step was retiring the IE 11 desktop application on certain versions of Windows 10 on June 15, 2022. This meant that users could no longer launch or use IE on their devices and had to use Edge or another supported browser instead. Microsoft also redirected some websites from IE to Edge automatically to help users transition smoothly.
The final step will be disabling IE permanently as part of a future Windows Update, at which point the IE icons on users’ devices will be removed. This will mark the official end of life for IE after almost three decades of existence.
The end of life for IE does not mean that users will lose their data or settings from IE. Users who switch to Edge will have their favorites, passwords, history, cookies, and other data imported from IE automatically. Users can also export their data from IE manually if they prefer another browser.
The end of life for IE also does not mean that organizations will lose access to their legacy IE-based sites and apps. Organizations can use Edge with IE mode to continue using them without compromising security or functionality. Organizations can also use tools such as App Assure or FastTrack to help them migrate their sites and apps to modern web standards.
The end of life for IE is a significant milestone in the history of web browsers. It reflects Microsoft’s commitment to providing users with a better browsing experience that is faster, safer, more private, and more compatible with modern web standards. It also reflects Microsoft’s vision for creating a more open and collaborative web ecosystem based on Chromium.