Microsoft Retires Internet Explorer Globally
Microsoft retired Internet Explorer 11 for most Windows 10 editions on June 15, 2022, and extended support for the browser on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 until January 2023. The company now directs users to Microsoft Edge, which includes an Internet Explorer mode for legacy enterprise sites. As of 2024, global desktop browser market share for Internet Explorer remains below 1 percent, according to StatCounter data. Microsoft confirmed that security updates for the browser are no longer available on supported operating systems Microsoft Edge.
The retirement follows years of declining usage as Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox dominated the market. Enterprise customers were given a multi-year migration path that included guidance documents, deployment tools, and compatibility testing resources. Microsoft Edge’s IE mode replicates the Trident engine for specific intranet applications, allowing organizations to phase out the old browser gradually. The move aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy to push modern web standards and improve security across its ecosystem.
Enterprise Transition and Compatibility Options
Organizations still relying on Internet Explorer for legacy web applications can use Microsoft Edge’s IE mode, which is managed through Group Policy and Microsoft Endpoint Manager. The mode opens specific sites in an Internet Explorer 11 rendering engine while keeping the Edge interface and security features for other browsing. Microsoft published a list of known compatibility issues and recommended enterprise tools to test sites before migration Microsoft Learn IE Mode documentation.
Third-party solutions, including virtualization and remote desktop services, also help companies run older web applications without Internet Explorer on the local device. Forcing users to upgrade can break internal portals, HR systems, and line-of-business applications that depend on legacy technologies such as ActiveX. Microsoft advises IT teams to inventory affected sites, test them in Edge IE mode, and plan a cutover timeline that minimizes disruption to business operations.
Browser Market Shifts After Internet Explorer Ends
With Internet Explorer no longer a supported option, the browser market has consolidated further around Chromium-based browsers, particularly Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. As of early 2024, Google Chrome holds roughly 65 percent of global desktop browser share, while Microsoft Edge has grown to around 5 percent, according to StatCounter GlobalStats StatCounter GlobalStats browser share. Safari remains dominant on Apple devices, and Firefox continues to hold a small but stable share among privacy-focused users.
The decline of Internet Explorer has pushed web developers to drop legacy code paths and focus on modern standards such as CSS Grid, ES6 JavaScript, and WebAssembly. Major websites, including government portals and banking platforms, have removed Internet Explorer-specific compatibility layers. Search engines and analytics platforms now classify Internet Explorer traffic as legacy, and many ad networks no longer serve ads to the browser, accelerating its effective end in everyday use.