Internet Explorer (almost) breathes its final byte on Wednesday

bleeping computer ^ | June 13, 2022 | Sergiu Gatlan

[American Number 181269513]

Microsoft will finally end support for Internet Explorer on multiple Windows versions on Wednesday, June 15, almost 27 years after its launch on August 24, 1995.

After finally reaching its end of life, the Internet Explorer desktop application will be disabled. It will be replaced with the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge, with users automatically redirected to Edge when launching IE11.

This retirement affects Internet Explorer 11 desktop apps on specific versions of Windows 10 delivered via the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) to systems running Windows 10 client SKUs (version 20H2 and later) and Windows 10 IoT (version 20H2 and later).

Internet Explorer is also not available on Windows 11, where the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge is the default web browser.

Windows releases where Internet Explorer will still be available after June 15, 2022, include Windows 7 ESU, Windows 8.1, and all versions of Windows 10 LTSC client, IoT, and Server.

"The Internet Explorer (IE) 11 desktop application will end support for Windows 10 semi-annual channel starting June 15, 2022," Microsoft says on the IE11 lifecycle page.

As Microsoft further explains, "for supported operating systems, Internet Explorer 11 will continue receiving security updates and technical support for the lifecycle of the Windows version on which it is installed."

Other Microsoft apps and services have also ended support for IE11 over the last few years (a complete list is available here ).

Internet Explorer's demise likely doesn't surprise anyone since Microsoft has been encouraging customers to switch from Internet Explorer for years.

In August 2020, it announced plans to ditch support for Internet Explorer 11 web browsers in Windows 10 and Microsoft 365, with an official announcement of the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application's retirement issued on May 19, 2021.

Microsoft moved on to discontinue IE support in Teams on November 30, 2020, and end support across Microsoft 365 apps and services on August 17, 2021.

"Customers are encouraged to move to Microsoft Edge with IE mode. IE mode enables backward compatibility and will be supported through at least 2029," Redmond added.

To enable IE mode in Edge, you must go to edge://settings/defaultbrowser, toggle on 'Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer,' and restart the web browser.

In this Getting Started guide, you can learn more about IE mode and how to transition to the new Microsoft Edge.

[American Number 181269513]

I used IE until I learned about Brave here on FR and have been using that on all my devices ever since. I won't miss IE.

[dfwgator]

Good Riddance to Internet Exploder.

[Luke21]

Edge won’t let you remove it, and it runs in the background unless you turn it off in settings.

[Lurker]

I miss Netscape.

L

[Tell It Right]

Remember when the gubment threatened to break up Microsoft into two companies: an operating system company and an application company? Remember one of the stated reasons for it being that Microsoft had the audacity, the audacity I tell you, to package a free web browser (IE) with the OS (Windows)?

It's ridiculous to think about getting a device of any size today (desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone) with only an OS but no web browser. LOL

[sauropod]

Yep.

[Seruzawa]

They only threatened that because Microsoft wasn’t donating to democrat politicians. Once the $ started flowing Janet Reno backed off. It was nothing but a grift.

[American Number 181269513]

Edge won’t let you remove it, and it runs in the background unless you turn it off in settings.

I disabled the ability of edge to access the internet and removed it as a default in all instances. Short of deleting it I think that's the best you can do.

[Right_Wing_Madman]

[Tell It Right]

Agreed. To me part of the irony is the deal Microsoft/Bill Gates made with Apple to practically save Apple. Microsoft was investing zillions into Apple when no-one else would under two conditions: Apple would let a Mac version of Microsoft Office be sold, and Apple would put Steve Jobs back in as CEO.

A lot of die-hard Mac Heads hate to be reminded of that. So how does Steve Jobs pay back Bill Gates? A few years later Apple teamed up with Netscape to ask the DOJ to bring Microsoft down. Of course with Netscape, that's where the "scandal" of having IE be free with Windows comes in.

[dfwgator]

Oh yeah, been there done that.

[Seruzawa]

Apple’s stupid business model: “We only want the best most superior people as customers, to heck with the peons” almost did them in.

[ShadowAce]

Windows ping

[MercyFlush]

I use Brave, too. Awesome browser.

While the front end of IE is going away the fact remains that it is still going to be an inseparable part of Windows until such time as the OS is completely replaced.

The innovation of IE in the first place was that it was an internal OS functionality that was turned outward to perform the same navigation function on the net as File Explorer does on your PC.

And for now File Explorer isn’t going anywhere.

https://www.windowscentral.com/whats-new-file-explorer-windows-11

[Ex gun maker.]

I have several PC’s to run obsolete but very useful programs and this MAC for the ‘Web.
My PC’s NEVER touch the ‘Web, so whatever OS they are running should remain forever.

[SaveFerris]

(Internet Exploder)

It was part of the Windows operating system way back when....!!!

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

[ShadowAce]

Short of deleting it I think that's the best you can do.

Well, no.

[A Navy Vet]

Never have a problem with Foxfire for the years I’ve been using it after Netscape.

[Pollard]

Yep, web devs can rejoice.

[qam1]

Palemoon was a good replacement for awhile, now I think even IE works better.