The definitive timeline of Internet Explorer's end of support and shutdown
Microsoft officially retired Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022, when support for legacy enterprise modes in certain Windows versions ended. Earlier, starting in August 2021, new Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices no longer included Internet Explorer, and by default sites opened in Microsoft Edge Internet Explorer Mode. For most general users, regular security updates and modern rendering ceased in 2016 when IE11 stopped receiving updates on older Windows versions, but the full product lifecycle closure and forced migration to Edge marked 2022. This explainer outlines key milestones, implications for users, and how to confirm that Internet Explorer is no longer required in your environment.
Key dates and milestones in Internet Explorer's lifecycle
Understanding when Internet Explorer shut down requires separating public end-of-life for mainstream support, extended support, and the final removal of the product from Windows. Below are verified dates and events widely documented by Microsoft and industry sources. Note that timelines can differ by operating system version and whether you are in enterprise scenarios with extended support agreements.
August 2021: No preinstalled Internet Explorer on new devices
Starting with certain builds of Windows 10 and all Windows 11 installations, Microsoft no longer preinstalled Internet Explorer, and the browser was effectively removed from the default user experience. This shift pushed users to Microsoft Edge as the primary web client on modern Windows versions.
June 15, 2022: End of support and removal of Internet Explorer
On this date, Microsoft ended support for legacy enterprise mode features and removed Internet Explorer from supported components on certain Windows versions. This milestone is widely cited as the shutdown date for Internet Explorer as a mainstream, updated product. There were no new feature releases or security updates beyond this point for the classic Internet Explorer experience.
January 9, 2016: Last major update for Internet Explorer 11
Microsoft released Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 8.1, Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, and Windows Server, which remained the final feature and security update for the browser on those platforms. While the browser continued to be present on some operating systems afterward, no new improvements were delivered.
July 2015: Internet Explorer 11 release on Windows 10
Internet Explorer 11 shipped with the initial Windows 10 release. This version represented the last major release of Internet Explorer and was intended as a compatibility tool for enterprise during the transition to modern web standards and Microsoft Edge.
April 2014: Extended support for Windows XP and Server 2003 ended
Mainstream support for Internet Explorer on older operating systems such as Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 had already ended years earlier, but extended support concluded in 2014. After this date, no further security updates were provided for these configurations.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| July 2015 | Internet Explorer 11 ships with Windows 10 | Last default browser version on modern Windows at launch |
| January 9, 2016 | Final cumulative security update for IE11 on Windows 7/8.1 and Server 2012 R2 | End of active patching for these platforms |
| April 2014 | Extended support for Internet Explorer on Windows XP and Server 2003 ends | No further security updates for these older operating systems |
| August 2021 | New Windows 10/11 devices stop preinstalling Internet Explorer | Browser removed from default image; Edge becomes primary |
| June 15, 2022 | Microsoft ends support for legacy enterprise modes and removes Internet Explorer | Formal retirement; no more security updates or support for classic IE |
What happened to Internet Explorer on different Windows versions
The exact behavior of Internet Explorer varied by Windows version. On Windows 7 and 8.1, IE11 remained the default browser until January 2016 with security updates, then continued as an unsupported product until the broader retirement in 2022. On Windows 10 and Windows 11, Internet Explorer was never the default for new devices after mid-2021, and by 2022 it was fully removed from the system image in most channels. Windows Server versions followed a similar path, with extended support ending at different dates depending on the edition.
Practical impact on users and migration to Microsoft Edge
For most users, the practical impact of Internet Explorer's shutdown is minimal because modern sites no longer work reliably in IE, and browsers automatically redirect legacy links to Edge Internet Explorer Mode when necessary. Organizations that relied on legacy line-of-business applications built for Internet Explorer can use Edge IE Mode to keep those apps functional while benefiting from modern security and performance. End users should ensure that any tools or shortcuts launching Internet Explorer instead use Edge or the appropriate mode. If you are unsure whether an application requires classic Internet Explorer, consult your application vendor or IT department to confirm compatibility with Edge IE Mode.
Verifying your environment
- Check whether Internet Explorer is still present: On Windows, open Programs and Features or view installed OS components to see if IE is listed as an optional component.
- Confirm default browser behavior: Click a link that previously opened in Internet Explorer; on modern Windows, it should open in Edge, often using Internet Explorer Mode automatically when needed.
- Review group policies or registry settings: Enterprises may have policies that suppress IE from the Start menu or taskbar; verify these settings if you are managing a large deployment.
How Internet Explorer compares to modern browsers today
Microsoft Edge is the successor that replaces Internet Explorer in both form factor and compatibility strategy. Edge uses the same core Internet Explorer Mode to run legacy sites while providing a modern rendering engine and security model. Compared to Internet Explorer, Edge delivers faster performance, better privacy controls, regular security updates, and support for current web standards. Other major browsers such as Chrome and Firefox also offer consistent experiences across platforms and are good alternatives where Edge is not suitable.
| Browser / Attribute | Internet Explorer | Microsoft Edge | Modern alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support status | Retired as of June 2022 | Active with regular updates | Active with regular updates |
| Default on new Windows | No since August 2021 | Yes | Varies by platform |
| Legacy enterprise app support | IE Mode in Edge | IE Mode supported | Limited or requires compatibility shims |
| Security updates | No new updates since retirement | Ongoing | Ongoing |
| Performance and standards | Limited modern standards support | Modern engine with regular improvements | Modern rendering and standards |
Frequently asked questions about Internet Explorer retirement
Did Internet Explorer shut down on a specific date globally?
Microsoft retired Internet Explorer as a supported product on June 15, 2022, removing it from certain Windows versions and ending updates. However, some legacy enterprise modes remained configurable for compatibility, and earlier milestones such as the removal from new devices occurred in August 2021.
What happens if I still use Internet Explorer today?
Using Internet Explorer today may expose you to unpatched security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues with modern websites. Organizations with legacy requirements can use Edge Internet Explorer Mode, which provides improved security while maintaining compatibility with older web apps designed for IE.
Do I need to uninstall Internet Explorer manually?
On most modern Windows versions, Internet Explorer is no longer a removable optional component after retirement. If it is still present on older systems, you can verify your default browser settings and ensure applications are updated to use Edge or other modern browsers.
How can I check if my apps require Internet Explorer?
Test your applications in Edge Internet Explorer Mode and consult your application vendor or internal IT team. If a legacy app only works in classic IE, you may need to maintain isolated environments or use compatibility-focused configurations until the app is updated.