Internet Explorer is retired, what happens if you continue to use the browser?

After almost 27 years of service, the curtain falls on Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. As of today, Microsoft no longer officially supports the program. This applies to all versions of Windows that came out after the Windows 10 October 2020 Update. This means that the browser will no longer receive software and security updates.

You can continue to use the browser – for now – if you want, but chances are very slim. According to the Statcounter website, which tracks operating system and browser usage, only 0.45 percent of Internet users still use Microsoft’s legacy browsers.

It’s no surprise that Internet Explorer is now deprecated. Microsoft has been preparing users for this for over two years. Last year Microsoft took some extra steps from IE to focus more on the Edge browser. This is a modern browser from Microsoft built on Chromium; A platform where Google also created Chrome. Microsoft markets Edge as a faster, safer and more functional alternative to IE, but there are still people who use the browser – sometimes out of necessity.

Some websites are built specifically for Internet Explorer and do not work or work less well in competing parties’ browsers. Often deals with business on corporate websites or company intranet; Crucial parts in an internal business process that is not yet ready for an IP-free future.

To allow these people to do their work, Microsoft makes it possible to continue using Internet Explorer for now. But keep in mind that this may change in the near future.

Now that support has officially ended, as a user you have to take into account that you are on your own should something go wrong. Also, Microsoft is trying to steer you into the modern Edge world to use this browser in the future.

Chrome and Edge are quite similar and share many features, but Edge has an edge over Chrome when it comes to compatibility with Internet Explorer. This is not surprising, because both browsers come from the same stable system.

So what makes Edge so special? This browser has a special Internet Explorer mode. This allows you to load websites and content optimized for the old Microsoft browser in a modern and secure environment. Some websites will install the mod automatically, but in other cases you have to activate the mod manually.

Does this mean you can now uninstall the Internet Explorer application from your Windows system? If you are sure that you do not need any special website for your business, the answer is yes. For a handful of users, it is useful to leave the program alone. Edge’s IE mode only works when the browser itself is still installed because it uses that browser’s components. When the browser is lost, the functionality is also lost.

Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge won’t last forever. Microsoft says this mod will be supported until at least 2029. After that, as a company or as a rooted user, you really need to look for an alternative (but preferably sooner of course). A year before Microsoft pulls the plug on IE mode, you as a user will get a notification.

A transition period will mark the coming months. For now, Microsoft is focusing on transferring the remaining users to use Edge. Redirecting to this browser is also gradual, giving company executives time to identify and fix problems. There is no way to disable IE at this stage of the process, but Microsoft recommends using a different browser.

However, you should keep in mind that over time you will no longer be able to start Internet Explorer. You will automatically open Edge when you try this. Only in the second phase does Microsoft disable IE completely. This is done via an update released via Windows Update. The Redmond-based company has yet to announce when that will happen.

Not familiar with Microsoft Edge yet and want to get to know it? We’ve already written many articles about Microsoft’s browser on Computer!Totaal. For example, read this article full of Edge tips or read how you can make Edge faster. It is also possible to set the browser as the default PDF reader.