What happened to Internet Explorer
Microsoft retired Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022, ending support for the browser after more than 25 years. The company redirected IE mode in Microsoft Edge to legacy enterprise sites and encouraged users to move to modern, standards-compliant browsers. This change improved security, performance, and compatibility on the modern web. Below is a timeline of key dates, followed by why the retirement matters and practical steps for users and organizations.
Key dates in Internet Explorer’s lifecycle
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| August 1995 | IE 1.0 released for Windows | Marked Microsoft’s entry into the browser market during the Browser Wars. |
| 2001–2006 (IE 6–7 era) | Widespread adoption but stagnant development | Led to compatibility and security issues as web standards evolved. |
| 2015 | Microsoft Edge launched as the default Windows browser | Introduced a modern rendering engine (EdgeHTML) and standards support. |
| 2020 | Official deprecation announcement | Microsoft committed to retiring IE and migrating users to Edge. |
| June 15, 2022 | Internet Explorer officially retired | IE mode in Edge became the path for legacy enterprise sites; public support ended. |
Why Internet Explorer was retired
Internet Explorer was retired because it could not keep pace with modern web standards, security practices, and performance expectations. Its architecture made it difficult to support contemporary JavaScript, CSS, and HTML features, leading to broken experiences on many sites. Security vulnerabilities accumulated over years, and patching them became unsustainable. By redirecting users to Microsoft Edge, Microsoft aimed to deliver better security, privacy, compatibility, and battery efficiency. For enterprises, IE mode in Edge allows legacy line-of-business applications to function while providing a more secure and maintainable host.
Impact on users and enterprises
- General users: Most people stopped noticing IE years ago; modern sites work better in Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
- Organizations: IT teams can use IE mode in Edge to support legacy apps while gradually retiring custom ActiveX or VBScript dependencies.
- Developers: Focus shifts to evergreen standards-based testing, reducing the need to patch for IE-specific bugs.
Browser support changes over time
Over the years, support for Internet Explorer shrank across the industry. By the late 2010s, major web services began deprioritizing or limiting IE11-specific optimizations. After retirement in 2022, official security updates and technical support ceased. Users and organizations that still required legacy workflows were directed to use IE mode within Edge, with clear guidance on planning migrations away from any remaining IE-dependent tools.
Practical steps if you still rely on Internet Explorer
- Check for modern alternatives: Many legacy line-of-business apps have updated versions that work in any browser.
- Use IE mode in Edge for necessary sites: Configure policies to open specific URLs in IE mode while keeping other browsing in Edge.
- Test key workflows: Validate that printing, authentication, and integrations behave as expected in the new setup.
- Plan to decommission custom legacy dependencies: Replace or refactor components that rely on proprietary tech like certain ActiveX controls.
- Monitor for compatibility issues: Use telemetry and user feedback after making changes to ensure business continuity.
What this means for security and compliance
With no further security updates, continuing to use Internet Explorer posed increasing risk. Migrating to a supported browser reduces exposure to known vulnerabilities and helps meet security best practices. Organizations should document their migration plans, retain IE mode configurations only where strictly necessary, and set timelines to fully retire any remaining dependencies. Regular audits of browser usage can highlight outliers and guide training or application updates.