TL;DR: Microsoft is completely scrubbing Web Explorer from Home windows 10 and the disinfection begins right now. As highlighted in Microsoft’s Web Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ, IE11 will probably be completely disabled on sure variations of Home windows 10 by an replace that begins rolling out on February 14. It would take a number of days for the replace to propagate however as soon as finalized, it’s… nicely, closing.
Microsoft notes that customers won’t be able to reverse the change. Making an attempt to load the desktop app after the replace will merely redirect customers to Microsoft Edge. Favorites, passwords, shopping historical past, cookies and different browser knowledge will robotically be transferred over to Edge and could be additional managed within the browser’s settings.
Any visible remnants of IE11, like icons on the Begin Menu and taskbar, will probably be eliminated as a part of the June 2023 Home windows safety replace due out on June 13.
The change will influence most (however not all) variations of Home windows 10. IE11 will stay in-support Home windows 10 IoT long-term servicing channel (LTSC), Home windows 10 consumer LTSC and Home windows 10 China Authorities Version (apparently that may be a factor).
Based on StatCounter, 68.75 % of desktop Home windows customers are nonetheless operating Home windows 10. Regardless of the excessive market share, most customers have doubtless already moved on from IE11 to one thing newer like Edge or one in all a number of different options.
Redmond didn’t ship a model of Web Explorer with Home windows 11 so in case you are already operating Microsoft’s newest working system, do not anticipate any modifications. In case you recall, Microsoft formally retired IE11 final yr however is simply now placing the ultimate nail within the coffin.
It’s value mentioning that Microsoft Edge has a built-in compatibility mode for legacy websites and apps that also depend on Web Explorer, and has dedicated to supporting IE mode till at the very least 2029. We’ve a full information on the right way to arrange and get essentially the most out of IE mode in Edge must you want it.
Picture credit score: Philipp Katzenberger, Denny Muller