Is Internet Explorer Still Used in 2025?
By 2025, mainstream usage of Internet Explorer is effectively zero for public websites, but it remains in limited, controlled environments such as legacy line-of-business applications and industrial systems that depend on outdated intranet tools. Microsoft ended support on 15 June 2022, and the recommended engine for modern Windows is now Microsoft Edge in IE mode for compatibility. Most organizations should consider IE nonoperational for general web access, with exceptions typically confined to air-gapped or highly regulated settings.
Definition and Historical Role
Internet Explorer (IE) is a discontinued web browser developed by Microsoft, first released in 1995 and bundled with Windows. It once held a dominant market share above 90 percent during the 2000s, serving as both a consumer browser and the default gateway for corporate Windows environments. Over time, standards compliance and performance gaps made it unsuitable for modern web applications, leading to declining usage. As of 2025, global share is near zero, yet its legacy persists where specialized software depends on older rendering behavior.
End of Life Timeline and Versions
The timeline below captures key milestones from adoption to deprecation.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | IE 1.0 ships with Windows 95 | Introduction of a bundled browser that would reshaped competition |
| 2002–2006 | IE 6 reaches peak market share | Widespread adoption but also noted for security and standards issues |
| 2013 | IE usage peaks above 50 percent globally | Last period of broad usage before rapid decline |
| 2015 | Microsoft Edge launches | Modern default browser on Windows 10 and later |
| June 2022 | Official end of support for IE | No more security updates, technical support, or compatibility guarantees |
| 2023 | IE mode promoted in Edge | Organizations route legacy intranet sites through IE mode in Edge |
| 2025 | Continued presence in niche environments | Line-of-business and industrial systems where migration is slow |
Documented Use Cases Today
As a status_clarifier, the current footprint of IE is constrained and specialized rather than general. Documented scenarios include legacy intranet portals, manufacturing execution systems, and government applications that rely on embedded ActiveX or VBScript. These environments often operate on isolated networks, use compatibility modes, or rely on custom enterprise policies that keep IE processes alive. In these contexts, awareness and controlled handling matter more than public usage metrics.
Compatibility and Migration Considerations
How Sites Handle Legacy Requirements
Organizations maintaining older applications may use IE mode in Microsoft Edge to render intranet sites that depend on legacy document modes or proprietary controls. Key points include:
- Standards-based sites perform better in modern browsers and should migrate fully
- ActiveX-dependent workflows require reengineering or replacement
- Testing in controlled environments reduces risk before full cutover
For most public websites, no intentional support for IE exists, and feature detection should guide decisions rather than assumptions about audience reach.
Security, Compliance, and Risk Perspective
Enterprise Risk Profile
With official support ended, IE now carries elevated risk of unpatched vulnerabilities. In regulated industries, continued use may necessitate compensating controls such as application isolation, strict network segmentation, and enhanced monitoring. A pragmatic approach combines:
- Inventory of remaining IE-dependent systems
- Risk assessment against business necessity
- Timed migration plans with milestones and ownership
Regulators increasingly expect demonstrable mitigation for unsupported software, reinforcing the need for documented strategies.
Current Landscape and Verification
Independent measurements from analytics providers show negligible global usage for IE, while enterprise telemetry highlights localized pockets. The landscape is summarized below.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Global public share (2025) | Near 0% | Analytics aggregators |
| Enterprise legacy systems still using IE locally | Low single-digit percentage of workloads | Internal IT surveys |
| Microsoft recommended engine for compatibility | Edge IE mode | Microsoft documentation |
| Support end date | 15 June 2022 | Microsoft lifecycle policy |
Strategic Recommendations and Next Steps
For technical and security leaders, treating IE as non-operational for internet-facing workloads is the clearest path forward. Recommended actions include:
- Audit applications to identify true IE dependencies
- Prioritize migration or replacement based on risk and business value
- Use modern compatibility tools such as Edge IE mode during transition
- Establish timelines and ownership to retire remaining exceptions
When legacy constraints cannot be immediately resolved, containment strategies and compensating controls reduce exposure while migration proceeds. The combination of clear ownership, measurable milestones, and continuous verification supports both security and continuity objectives.