Microsoft to finally retire Internet Explorer in 2022

They will be offering Microsoft Edge as an alternative to the aging browser.

Microsoft has confirmed that it will be finally retiring Internet Explorer in 2022 after more than 25 years in operation.

The web browser has been struggling for years with Microsoft finally fully retiring the option in favour of Microsoft Edge on 25 June 2022.

“We are announcing that the future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 is in Microsoft Edge,” said Sean Lyndersay, a Microsoft Edge program manager in a statement on Wednesday.

“The Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will be retired and go out of support on 15 June, 2022, for certain versions of Windows 10. "Over the last year, you may have noticed our movement away from Internet Explorer (“IE”) support, such as an announcement of the end of IE support by Microsoft 365 services. Today, we are at the next stage of that journey: we are announcing that the future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 is in Microsoft Edge. "Not only is Microsoft Edge a faster, more secure and more modern browsing experience than Internet Explorer, but it is also able to address a key concern: compatibility for older, legacy websites and applications. Microsoft Edge has Internet Explorer mode (“IE mode”) built in, so you can access those legacy Internet Explorer-based websites and applications straight from Microsoft Edge."

While the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) of Windows 10 will still include Internet Explorer next year, all consumer versions will end support of the browser.

The alternative for most businesses will be Microsoft Edge with IE mode, which was created a number of years ago to adopt Chromium-based browser for older legacy websites, and will be supported until at least 2029.