As Internet Explorer retires, Microsoft will direct users to the Edge browser

It is the end of an era as Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser has retired after 25 years of exence. While there are several memes doing the rounds–many mocking the end of the Internet Explorer– Microsoft itself has announced it will be redirecting users to its Edge browser.
The blog post Sean Lyndersay, General Manager, Microsoft Edge Enterprise, acknowledges that Internet Explorer has not quite kept up with the times. It notes that the product has a reputation of one “from an older era—quirky in behaviour and lacking the security of a modern browser.”
It is not surprising to see Microsoft push the Edge browser, which launched for Windows 10 and Xbox One back in 2015. The browser has since then made its way to Android and iOS as well. But do keep in mind that it has not quite enjoyed the success that Microsoft would have hoped. Google’s Chrome browser continues to dominate the market, followed Apple’s Safari.
Microsoft also confirmed in the blog post that there will be an Internet Explorer mode built into Edge. This will allow users to use sites and web applications that are only supported Explorer, including site support for functionality like ActiveX controls.Best of Express PremiumPremiumPremiumPremiumPremium

The post adds that “over the next few months, opening Internet Explorer will progressively redirect users to our new modern browser, Microsoft Edge with IE mode.”
Users will continue to see the Internet Explorer icon on their devices, but clicking on it will open the Edge browser. “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,” adds the blog.
When this does happen, user data such as favourites, passwords and settings will be imported from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft’s announcement covers all supported versions of Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, Edu and IoT. Internet Explorer has already been removed from Windows 11.
Internet Explorer will not be immediately removed on all these versions but users will be progressively redirected to Microsoft Edge on all these devices over the next few months.
The company has committed to supporting IE mode in Microsoft Edge through at least 2029.