Support for Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 will be phased out next year.

Support for Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 will be phased out next year.

Microsoft announced last week that its Internet Explorer 11 desktop browser will be "retired" for some Windows 10 versions next year.

For Windows 10 versions 20H2 and later, as well as Windows 10 IoT versions 20H2 and later, IE 11 will be phased out on June 15, 2022. However, support for Internet Explorer 11 will continue on other Windows products.

Microsoft uses the term "retired" to indicate that the browser will no longer be supported. Microsoft will not remove the browser, but it will not receive any updates or security patches, making it potentially insecure to use. According to Microsoft's FAQ, the IE 11 browser on those Windows 10 versions will "redirect to Microsoft Edge" after the June deadline.

Organizations and individuals will lose IE 11 support even before the June 15, 2022 deadline for those Windows 10 versions when the browser is used with "Microsoft 365 and other apps." According to this Microsoft timeline, issues will begin to appear on August 17, 2021:

Desktop IE 11 end-of-support timeline for Windows 10 versions 20H2 and later. (Source: Microsoft's "Windows experience" blog)

End-of-Support for Other Windows Versions for Internet Explorer 11

The general rule for Internet Explorer's product lifecycle was that it was linked to the underlying Windows lifecycle. Microsoft appears to be sticking to its guns on this front.

The end-of-support date for Internet Explorer 11 on June 15, 2022, for example, does not apply to the following Windows products:

• 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)

Users of those Windows operating systems can keep using Internet Explorer 11 until the OSes are no longer supported. On January 10, 2023, Microsoft will end support for Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 ESU users. On January 9, 2029, Windows LTSC users will lose OS support.

Change to Edge or a Different Browser

Microsoft is encouraging businesses and individuals to migrate to the Microsoft Edge browser before the end of IE 11.

The Edge browser, which is based on Chromium, is said to provide a "modern browser" experience while also supporting IE Mode for backward compatibility. Microsoft claims that IE Mode emulates IE behaviors within Edge and can support Web apps that rely on older technologies.

If app compatibility issues persist when using Edge in Internet Explorer Mode, Microsoft's App Assure service can help. The App Assure service is free, but only for companies with 150 licenses or more (Windows 10 or Microsoft 365).

Microsoft is well aware that organizations still rely on older Internet Explorer technologies for Web apps. According to the announcement, "enterprises have 1,678 legacy apps on average," according to a Forrester Consulting survey.

Edge will support IE Mode "through at least 2029,," according to the announcement. Because it is part of IE Mode, Microsoft's Trident engine in IE 11, dubbed "MSHTML," will be supported for the same period.

When Internet Explorer 11 reaches its end of life, according to Microsoft's FAQ, no support exceptions will be offered. Microsoft intends to give a year's notice before the browser's end.