Users still trying to use Internet Explorer will be redirected to Microsoft Edge as Microsoft’s legacy internet browser has been officially retired as of today.
Microsoft has been actively promoting Microsoft Edge and alerting organizations and users still using Explorer that the browser would be shut down on June 15, and the date has finally come. The company first announced the end of support date over a year ago in May 2021, saying the move to Edge will bring users better compatibility, productivity and security.
The company ended Internet Explorer support for Microsoft 365 apps and services last year, and Wednesday marks the final nail in the coffin for the 26-year-old internet browser.
Simply put, Internet Explorer will cease to exist. However, websites that need Internet Explorer can be loaded with IE mode in Microsoft Edge. Bookmarks, passwords, history, cookies and other browser data will be automatically brought over to Microsoft Edge so users can continue browsing seamlessly.
According to Microsoft, the Internet Explorer icon will remain on their devices, but over the next few months, users that try to open Internet Explorer will be progressively redirected to Microsoft Edge with IE mode.
Eventually, Internet Explorer will be permanently disabled and the icon removed from devices as part of a future Windows update.
The redirection process will include a “reload in IE mode” button to the toolbar in Microsoft Edge if certain websites don’t work correctly or still require Internet Explorer. Edge will ask users if they want to open the page in IE mode next time automatically, and the browser will ask users every 30 days if they still need IE mode for the site.
IT professionals can also automate IE mode for their users so pages launch in IE mode automatically.
Some versions of Windows will continue to support Internet Explorer until they go out of support, including all currently in-support Windows 10 LTSC releases and Windows Server versions, Windows 10 China Government Edition, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 with Extended Security Updates.
However, future versions of those editions will not include Internet Explorer, and developers who rely on the underlying MSHTML platform and COM controls on Windows will also continue to be supported on all Windows platforms, according to Microsoft.
Microsoft say it has committed to supporting IE mode in Microsoft Edge through at least 2029, so organizations still relying on Internet Explorer can continue to use IE mode for the foreseeable future.
Of course, Microsoft is urging users to start using Microsoft Edge now rather than waiting to be redirected to the new browser.
For IT pros looking to set up IE mode in their organization, Microsoft is providing these resources:
- Watch a video with demos to understand IE mode: https://aka.ms/IEmodewebinar
For more videos, see the IE mode playlist: https://aka.ms/IEmodePlaylist - Set up IE mode with a guided tool: https://aka.ms/configureIEmode
Includes guidance on how to inventory your sites: https://aka.ms/IEmodeDiscovery - For tips on common scenarios, read this troubleshooting guide: https://aka.ms/IEmodeTSG
- To test IE mode, consider using IE Driver: https://aka.ms/IEmodeDriver
- Wrap up IE retirement, with Disable IE Policy: https://aka.ms/IEtoEdgeBlog7
- Still have questions? Try the FAQ: https://aka.ms/IEmodeFAQ
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