Microsoft confirmed today that a future Windows update will permanently disable the Internet Explorer web browser on users’ systems.
“Users will still see the Internet Explorer icon on their devices but if they click to open Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge will open instead with easy access to IE mode,” said the General Manager for Microsoft Edge Enterprise Sean Lyndersay today.
“Eventually, Internet Explorer will be disabled permanently as part of a future Windows Update, at which point the Internet Explorer icons on users’ devices will be removed.”
While officially retired from multiple Windows 10 versions and not shipping with Windows 11, Internet Explorer will still be available on Windows 7 ESU, Windows 8.1, and all versions of Windows 10 LTSC client, IoT, and Server.
Microsoft has been encouraging customers to switch from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge for years-you can learn more about IE mode and how to make the switch in this getting started guide.
In August 2020, Microsoft first announced plans to ditch support for Internet Explorer 11 web browsers in Windows 10 and Microsoft 365, with an official announcement of the retirement issued on May 19, 2021.
