Internet Explorer: History, Retirement & Best Alternatives

For many people, Internet Explorer was the internet. That little blue “e” icon sat on almost every Windows computer for more than two decades, and for years it was the world’s most popular web browser by a huge margin. Then, slowly, it faded away.

Today, people still search for Internet Explorer for all kinds of reasons: an old work website that “only works in IE,” a school or government portal that asks for it, curiosity about what happened to it, or simply nostalgia.

In this guide, we explain what Internet Explorer was, its full history from 1995 to its retirement, exactly when and how Microsoft retired it, whether you can still use it in 2026, how to open old websites with IE mode in Microsoft Edge, and which modern browsers to use instead.

Quick Info: Internet Explorer at a Glance

Key Takeaways

• Internet Explorer is retired. Microsoft ended support for the IE11 desktop app on June 15, 2022, on Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel versions.
• On February 14, 2023, Microsoft permanently disabled the IE11 desktop app on certain Windows 10 versions through a Microsoft Edge update.
• Windows 11 does not include the Internet Explorer desktop app.
• Microsoft Edge is the official replacement.
• For old websites that need Internet Explorer, use IE mode in Microsoft Edge, which Microsoft says will be supported through at least 2029.
• Using an outdated browser is a security risk, so switch to a modern, updated browser.

What Was Internet Explorer?

Internet Explorer (often shortened to IE) was a web browser made by Microsoft. It came built into Windows, which is a big reason it became so widely used. For many people in the late 1990s and 2000s, clicking the blue “e” was simply how you went online.

IE let you visit websites, download files, save favorites, and use early web technologies like ActiveX controls and toolbars. Many businesses, governments, and schools built websites and internal tools that were designed specifically for it.

The History of Internet Explorer

1995: The beginning

Microsoft released Internet Explorer 1.0 in 1995, around the time of Windows 95. It was built using technology licensed from Spyglass, whose browser was based on the earlier Mosaic browser. Early versions were simple compared to today’s browsers.

The browser wars

In the late 1990s, Internet Explorer competed fiercely with Netscape Navigator, which was the leading browser at the time. Microsoft bundled IE with Windows and released new versions quickly. Over a few years, IE overtook Netscape and became the dominant browser.

Microsoft’s decision to bundle IE with Windows became a central part of the United States v. Microsoft antitrust case around the turn of the millennium.

Early 2000s: Peak popularity

With Internet Explorer 6, released in 2001 alongside Windows XP, IE reached its peak. In the early 2000s, it was used by the large majority of internet users worldwide.

However, IE6 stayed in use for many years without major updates, and it became known for security problems and poor support for new web standards. Web developers often had to create special workarounds just to make websites display properly in it.

New competition

In the mid to late 2000s, new browsers arrived and offered faster speeds, better security, tabs, and stronger support for web standards:

• Mozilla Firefox launched in 2004
• Google Chrome launched in 2008

Microsoft continued releasing new versions of Internet Explorer, adding features like tabbed browsing and improved security, but it steadily lost users to these rivals.

2013: Internet Explorer 11, the final version

Internet Explorer 11 arrived in 2013 and became the last major version of the browser. It was included with Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

2015 to 2020: The arrival of Microsoft Edge

With Windows 10 in 2015, Microsoft introduced a new browser called Microsoft Edge (now known as “Edge Legacy”). In 2020, Microsoft released a new version of Edge built on Chromium, the same open-source engine behind Google Chrome. This modern Edge became Microsoft’s main browser and IE’s official successor.

Internet Explorer timeline

When Was Internet Explorer Retired?

This is one of the most common questions, so here are the exact details from Microsoft.

June 15, 2022: End of support

Microsoft announced that “after 25+ years,” Internet Explorer was officially retired and out of support on June 15, 2022. According to Microsoft’s lifecycle page, the IE11 desktop application ended support for Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel versions on that date.

Microsoft noted that this retirement covered all then-supported versions of Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT, and that Internet Explorer was already removed from Windows 11.

February 14, 2023: Permanently disabled

After the retirement, IE was gradually redirected to Microsoft Edge. Then, according to Microsoft’s retirement FAQ, the out-of-support IE11 desktop app was permanently disabled on certain versions of Windows 10 on February 14, 2023, through a Microsoft Edge update.

After this, clicking the Internet Explorer icon on those systems opens Microsoft Edge instead.

What about Windows 10 LTSC and Windows Server?

Microsoft stated that the June 15, 2022 retirement did not affect Windows 10 LTSC or Windows Server versions of the IE11 desktop application. These have their own support timelines tied to the operating system. Organizations using them should check Microsoft’s list of supported operating systems for Internet Explorer.

Can You Still Use Internet Explorer in 2026?

For most people, no.

• Windows 11: The IE11 desktop app is not available.
• Windows 10 (regular versions): IE was retired in 2022 and permanently disabled in 2023. It now redirects to Microsoft Edge.
• Older Windows versions: Even if IE still opens, it no longer receives security updates and is unsafe to use online.

The good news is that you do not need the standalone Internet Explorer app anymore. If a website requires IE, you can use IE mode in Microsoft Edge.

What Is IE Mode in Microsoft Edge?

IE mode is a feature built into Microsoft Edge that lets you open older websites that were designed for Internet Explorer. It uses the Internet Explorer engine inside Edge, so old pages and internal business tools still work, while you keep using a modern, secure browser for everything else.

Microsoft says IE mode enables backward compatibility and will be supported through at least 2029, and that it will give one year’s notice before retiring IE mode.

How to open a website in IE mode (home users)

The exact menu names may vary slightly between Edge versions, but the general steps are:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three dots (Settings and more) in the top-right corner, then select Settings.
3. Go to Default browser.
4. Next to Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode, choose Allow.
5. Restart Edge when asked.
6. Open the old website, click the three dots menu, and select Reload in Internet Explorer mode.

Edge shows a small IE icon in the address bar when a page is open in IE mode. You can choose to open the page in IE mode automatically next time. Edge may ask you to confirm periodically that you still need IE mode for that site.

IE mode for businesses

Organizations can manage IE mode for all their users with a site list, which automatically opens specific internal websites in IE mode. Microsoft provides official guidance and policies for IT teams, including a policy to fully redirect users from IE to Edge.

The long-term goal for businesses should be to update or replace IE-only websites, since IE mode is meant as a bridge, not a permanent solution. If you are not sure why older sites break in modern browsers, our guide on what software compatibility is explains how older software can struggle with newer systems.

Why Did Microsoft Retire Internet Explorer?

Several reasons led to Internet Explorer’s retirement:

• Security: Older browser technology was harder to protect against modern threats.
• Web standards: Modern websites use HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript features that IE did not fully support. Our guide on what HTML is explains the language that modern web pages are built with.
• Performance: Newer browsers are faster and handle complex web apps better.
• Maintenance: Supporting two browsers (IE and Edge) was costly and confusing.
• User choice: Most people had already moved to Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.

Is It Dangerous to Use Internet Explorer Today?

Yes. An unsupported browser no longer gets security patches, so any newly discovered weakness stays open. Attackers specifically target old, unpatched software.

Risks include:

• Malware infections from unsafe websites
• Phishing pages that modern browsers would warn you about
• Websites not loading or displaying incorrectly
• Missing modern privacy protections

Keeping your browser and operating system updated is one of the easiest ways to stay safe online. Our article on why software needs updates explains why this matters so much.

Best Alternatives to Internet Explorer

For most former Internet Explorer users on Windows, Microsoft Edge is the easiest switch. It is already installed on Windows 10 and Windows 11, can import your old favorites, and includes IE mode for legacy websites.

How to Move Your Favorites From Internet Explorer

If you still have old IE favorites on a Windows computer, Microsoft Edge can usually import them:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Go to Settings > Profiles > Import browser data.
3. Choose Microsoft Internet Explorer as the source, if it is listed.
4. Select Favorites and any other data you want to bring over.
5. Click Import.

Microsoft also notes that when IE was redirected to Edge, user data like favorites, passwords, and settings could be brought over to Edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Internet Explorer still available?

The standalone Internet Explorer 11 desktop app was retired on June 15, 2022, and permanently disabled on certain Windows 10 versions on February 14, 2023. It is not available on Windows 11.

When did Internet Explorer stop working?

Microsoft ended support on June 15, 2022, and permanently disabled the IE11 desktop app on certain Windows 10 versions on February 14, 2023, through a Microsoft Edge update.

What replaced Internet Explorer?

Microsoft Edge replaced Internet Explorer. Edge includes IE mode for older websites that still need Internet Explorer.

How do I open a website that only works in Internet Explorer?

Use IE mode in Microsoft Edge. Turn on “Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode” in Edge’s Default browser settings, then reload the website in IE mode.

How long will IE mode be supported?

Microsoft says IE mode will be supported through at least 2029, and it will give one year’s notice before retiring it.

Can I download Internet Explorer for Windows 11?

No. The Internet Explorer 11 desktop app is not available on Windows 11. Use IE mode in Microsoft Edge instead.

When was Internet Explorer first released?

Internet Explorer 1.0 was released in 1995.

What was the last version of Internet Explorer?

Internet Explorer 11, released in 2013, was the final version.

Is it safe to use Internet Explorer?

No. The standalone IE app no longer receives security updates. Use a modern, supported browser instead.

Does Windows 10 LTSC still have Internet Explorer?

Microsoft stated that the June 2022 retirement did not affect Windows 10 LTSC or Windows Server IE11 desktop applications. Check Microsoft’s supported operating systems list for exact dates.

Final Thoughts

Internet Explorer played a huge role in bringing the internet to millions of people. From its launch in 1995 to its dominance in the early 2000s, it shaped how a whole generation first experienced the web. But as technology moved on, IE fell behind, and Microsoft officially retired it on June 15, 2022, before permanently disabling it on many Windows 10 computers on February 14, 2023.

Today, the best path is simple: use Microsoft Edge or another modern browser, and if you still need an old IE-only website, open it in IE mode, which Microsoft supports through at least 2029.

References

• Microsoft Learn: Internet Explorer 11 lifecycle
• Windows Experience Blog: Internet Explorer 11 has retired and is officially out of support

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only. Support dates, menu names, and features may vary depending on your Windows version, Microsoft Edge version, and organization’s settings. For business environments, always follow Microsoft’s official lifecycle documentation and IT guidance. TechOriginHub is not affiliated with Microsoft or any browser maker, and this article is not sponsored.