Internet Explorer will soon say farewell.
Microsoft recently announced that a future Microsoft Edge Update would permanently disable Internet Explorer 11 desktop web browser for Windows 10 come February.
Microsoft previously released a notice to Windows 10 users on June 15, warning users about Internet Explorer reaching its end of life and that they should switch to Edge whenever they choose to.
Internet Explorer Discontinuation Details
Microsoft said in the announcement it posted on its message center that it scheduled its out-of-support Internet Explorer 11 desktop application to be permanently disabled on certain Windows 10 versions on Feb. 14, 2023, through an Edge update.
The tech giant corrected its earlier statement that Internet Explorer 11 would be permanently disabled through an Edge update instead of a Windows update as previously announced.
Those devices that aren't already redirecting people from Internet Explorer 11 to Edge will do so on the same Edge update that permanently disables the former web browser.
Microsoft assures users that the decision to discontinue Internet Explorer and redirect them to Edge is for them to experience better web browsing and help organizations switch their last IE11 users to Edge with IE mode.
Since the update will only affect users and organizations that have yet to make the switch to Edge, those that already have won't be impacted by the update.
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Bleeping Computer mentioned that users and organizations could remove Internet Explorer visual references from the Start Menu and Windows Taskbar with the "Disable IE policy" before Feb. 14 to avoid disruptions at scale, as some of them are using Internet Explorer 11-dependent applications.
Those who opt not to select "Disable IE policy" manually can wait for Microsoft's May non-security preview release and the June Windows monthly security update to remove them automatically.
This disabling isn't a surprise for Windows 10 users and Microsoft. The aging web browser was already launching Edge when users visit incompatible sites on October 2020, which number close to 7,600.
These websites include Facebook, Instagram, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and Twitter.
The redirection also comes with the importing of users' data, such as settings, passwords, and favorites, to make the switch easier in the future.
Internet Explorer's Future
Despite Internet Explorer's age and obsolescence, Microsoft will still support it through 2029 for older Windows OS, such as Windows 7, and Windows 8.1, and versions of Windows 10 LTSC client, IoT, and Server.
It will also continue getting technical support and security updates on systems running these Windows OS.
For those who wish to use Internet Explorer mode on Edge, Microsoft advises them to go to "edge://settings/defaultbrowser" and toggle on the "Allow Sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer" option.
Restarting the browser after doing so will refresh the browser and enable Edge's Internet Explorer mode.
Microsoft officially ended support for Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022, with the company releasing the last major version of the web browser on that date on certain versions of Windows 10, per Microsoft.
