What you need to know
- Internet Explorer has lived a long, healthy life.
- Microsoft is ending support for it in certain versions of Windows 10 starting June 15, 2022.
- Edge will be the future of Microsoft's browser efforts.
Press "F" to pay respects to Internet Explorer 11, as it will soon be heading to Valhalla. Microsoft announced in a blog post that Internet Explorer is out and that Edge is the browser of the future.
In its blog post, Microsoft reminds users that Edge has an "IE mode" for whenever they need to access legacy apps and websites, so in a way, IE isn't really going anywhere. Except that it is: The Internet Explorer 11 desktop app itself will lose support and be formally retired on June 15, 2022.
It will live on in Edge like a ghost in the shell, but that's about it. At least, that'll be the case for many users. Some versions of Windows 10 will retain IE, as will other Windows operating systems. Here's what will be affected by the retirement.
Internet Explorer 11 desktop application delivered via the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC):
- Windows 10 client SKUs (version 20H2 and later)
- Windows 10 IoT (version 20H2 and later)
And here's a full list of what won't be affected by the retirement, courtesy of Microsoft:
- Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge
- Internet Explorer platform (MSHTML/Trident), including WebOC
- Internet Explorer 11 desktop application on:
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU)
- Windows 10 Server SAC (all versions)
- Windows 10 IoT Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) (all versions)
- Windows 10 Server LTSC (all versions)
- Windows 10 client LTSC (all versions)
You can read additional info about the end of IE via Microsoft's Internet Explorer 11 retirement FAQ. And remember that Microsoft truly is committed to keeping Edge in great shape as it fully takes over for IE, a fact that can be evidenced by the constant updates Edge receives.
