Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement

 Microsoft will not support Internet Explorer 11 and legacy Edge starting 2022

The future of Internet Explorer (“IE”) on Windows 10 is in Microsoft Edge. What does this mean for commercial organizations, IT admins, developers, and end users? Microsoft Edge brings you a faster, more secure, and more modern web experience than Internet Explorer. Also, Microsoft Edge with Internet Explorer mode (“IE mode”), is the only browser with built-in compatibility for legacy IE-based sites and apps.

As announced today, Microsoft Edge with IE mode is officially replacing the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application on Windows 10. As a result, the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will go out of support and be retired on June 15, 2022 for certain versions of Windows 10.

Which platforms will be affected when the IE11 desktop application is retired and goes out of support on June 15, 2022?

In scope at the time of this announcement (will be retired):

• Internet Explorer 11 desktop application delivered via the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC):
  • Windows 10 client SKUs (version 20H2 and later)
  • Windows 10 IoT (version 20H2 and later)

Out of scope at the time of this announcement (unaffected):

• Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge
• Internet Explorer platform (MSHTML/Trident), including WebOC
• Internet Explorer 11 desktop application on:
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU)
  • Windows 10 Server SAC (all versions)
  • Windows 10 IoT Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) (all versions)
  • Windows 10 Server LTSC (all versions)
  • Windows 10 client LTSC (all versions)

What about Windows 10 LTSC and Windows Server?

In-market Windows 10 LTSC and Windows Server are out of scope (unaffected) for this change.

What if Microsoft Edge is already installed?

Great! You already have a faster, more secure, and more modern browser than Internet Explorer and have completed some of the steps to help with your migration. If you’re an organization, the next steps will be to determine if your organization has legacy browser dependencies. To enable legacy browser support in Microsoft Edge, you’ll need to set up Internet Explorer mode. Learn more on our Internet Explorer mode webpage and read the Getting Started guide.

What does this announcement mean for my organization?

If your organization has legacy apps and sites dependent on IE11, you can follow the Getting Started Guide to start configuring IE mode. You may be concerned about change management, so please check out the Internet Explorer Retirement Adoption Kit for ready-made content to help you notify users and leaders in your organization about the upcoming changes and help move them to Microsoft Edge.

What does this announcement mean for developers?

Apps developed for IE should work in Microsoft Edge through IE mode. If you encounter an issue, contact App Assure for remediation assistance (ACHELP@microsoft.com).

For developers working on modern websites or applications, we understand that it has been increasingly difficult to support Internet Explorer side-by-side with modern browsers. While this announcement will start the transition of moving users from Internet Explorer to the more modern Microsoft Edge browser, it will take time and we recommend that you develop a plan to end support for Internet Explorer. Read this Moving users to Microsoft Edge from Internet Explorer article to learn how we can help.

What does this announcement mean for end users?

Microsoft Edge offers a faster, more secure, and modern browsing experience than Internet Explorer, and a growing number of websites no longer support Internet Explorer. After the Internet Explorer desktop application is retired on June 15, 2022, it will be out of support. After this date, the IE11 desktop application will be disabled and will redirect to Microsoft Edge if a user tries to access it.

If a user encounters a broken website that requires IE11, they should open it in IE mode. They can open websites that require Internet Explorer without leaving Microsoft Edge. Learn more about Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge.

What is the MSHTML (Trident) engine? How does that relate to IE mode?

The MSHTML (Trident) engine is the underlying platform for Internet Explorer 11. This is the same engine used by IE mode and it will continue to be supported (in other words, unaffected by this announcement). WebOC will also continue to be supported. If you have a custom or third-party app that relies on the MSHTML platform, you can expect it to continue to work. For future app development, we recommend using WebView2.

How long will IE mode be supported?

IE mode support follows the lifecycle of Windows client, Server, and IoT releases at least through 2029. Additionally, Microsoft will give one year of notice before retiring the IE mode experience when the time comes. Windows support dates are documented on the Product Lifecycle page. Some editions of Windows may require an ESU license, if available, to receive operating system security updates beyond end of support dates. End of service dates for currently supported versions of Windows are as follows:

If I reach out to Microsoft for an exception to this timeline, can I continue to use the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application after June 15, 2022?

Microsoft Edge provides a dual engine advantage of Internet Explorer mode for compatibility with legacy websites and the Chromium project–the technology that powers many of today’s browsers–for world-class compatibility and performance with modern websites.

As such, we’re not allowing exceptions or providing extended support to continue using the IE11 desktop application on the in-scope platforms after June 15, 2022.

For those using IE11 at home, you can run IE mode in Microsoft Edge by following the steps outlined on this support page: Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge.

Commercial IT pros will need to set up IE mode in Microsoft Edge to enable access to legacy IE-based sites and apps for their commercial users. To set up IE mode, use the resources in the Getting Started guide.

Supporting IE mode through at least 2029 is not long enough. Can I get an extension?

IE mode will continue to be supported through at least 2029 and Microsoft will give one year notice before deprecating the IE mode experience in-market when the time comes.

What IE functionality is available in IE mode?

IE mode supports all document and enterprise modes, Active X controls (such as Java or Silverlight), and more. For a list of what is supported and what is not supported, see the What is Internet Explorer (IE) mode Docs page.

Are there any changes to the Microsoft Edge lifecycle?

There are no changes to the Microsoft Edge lifecycle. Microsoft Edge continues to be supported. For more details, please visit the Microsoft Edge Lifecycle page.

How do I set up Internet Explorer mode in my organization?

You can get detailed guidance on how to set up Internet Explorer mode through our Getting Started guide or by visiting our IE mode documentation.

Will the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application be removed from devices? 

No. The IE11 desktop application will not be removed from devices, as the IE11 engine is required for IE mode to function. However, after the IE11 desktop application is retired on June 15, 2022, it will be disabled permanently. 

Will iexplore.exe be removed from devices?

No, but if a user tries to access it, they will be unable to open IE11 and will be redirected to Microsoft Edge.

If my browser default isn't Internet Explorer 11, will the retirement affect my browser default?

No, this retirement will only change your browser default if your default had been set to Internet Explorer 11. If IE11 is set as your browser default, you will now have Microsoft Edge.

Will Internet Explorer-based sites and apps open automatically in Microsoft Edge after the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application is retired on June 15, 2022?

After the IE11 desktop application is retired, IE11 will redirect to Microsoft Edge. To open Internet Explorer-based websites and apps, you will need to either set up Internet Explorer mode (as an organization) or enable Internet Explorer mode (as a consumer at home).

If you’re an organization, you can set up IE mode using the Getting Started guide.

If you are an end user, you can enable IE mode by following the steps in this Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge support article.

What if some of my sites don’t work in Microsoft Edge using Internet Explorer mode? How do I get help for website compatibility issues?

If you’re an organization and experience compatibility issues such as an error loading a site, please connect with the App Assure team for remediation assistance. You can submit a request for assistance through their website or reach out via email (ACHELP@microsoft.com).

If you’re a consumer at home and encounter an error loading a page, try loading it in IE mode by following the instructions in this Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge support article. If the issue persists, please notify us by sending feedback through the in-product feedback tool found in the three-dot settings menu under ‘Help and feedback’ or by using the shortcut Alt + Shift + I. When submitting feedback, please check the box to ‘Send diagnostic data’.

Will the IE Group Policies work in IE mode?

We are committed to have IE Group Policies work in IE mode. If for any reason you encounter an issue, please connect with us at AppAssure for assistance. You can submit a request for assistance through their website or reach out via email (ACHELP@microsoft.com).