14 DAY TRIAL // Now that the Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge has reached its maturity, Microsoft can continue its long-term browsing strategy, with the next step coming down to the demise of Internet Explorer.
Already bundled with Microsoft Edge as a dedicated mode, Internet Explorer now makes little sense as a desktop application, and this is the reason Microsoft now plans to retire it.
In other words, Internet Explorer is going away as a stand-alone application, and the browser would continue to live on exclusively as a feature of Microsoft Edge.
The Redmond-based software giant says Internet Explorer 11 would be retired on June 15, 2022, but since then, the application will continue to receive updates and security patches. After this date, however, Internet Explorer will be considered obsolete, with no further security updates to be released to users sticking with it.
“Microsoft Edge has Internet Explorer mode (“IE mode”) built in, so you can access those legacy Internet Explorer-based websites and applications straight from Microsoft Edge. With Microsoft Edge capable of assuming this responsibility and more, the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will be retired and go out of support on June 15, 2022, for certain versions of Windows 10,” Microsoft explains.
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Worth knowing, however, is that Internet Explorer will still be supported separately on Windows 10 versions that are part of LTSC.
“If you’re a consumer using Internet Explorer at home, we recommend you transition to Microsoft Edge before June 15, 2022, to start enjoying a faster, more secure and more modern browsing experience. The good news: you probably already have it on your device,” Microsoft continues.
As far as enterprises are concerned, Microsoft recommends everybody to make the switch to Microsoft Edge, which features the aforementioned IE mode and therefore allows them to access company apps with no compatibility concerns.
IE mode in Microsoft Edge will be supported until at least 2029.