Microsoft recently announced that it will no longer support Internet Explorer 11 (IE11), and quite rightly so. Only a few people still use this browser for their regular web search needs.

With competitive and more advanced browsers like Chrome and Mozilla Firefox on the market, Microsoft has decided to push its own Edge browser into the spotlight. And while Edge works on Windows 7 and above and performs very well, what should you do if you rely on IE11?

What Is the Impact of Internet Explorer 11’s Retirement on Users?

Person using the internet

On June 15, 2022, Internet Explorer 11 lost its support from Microsoft. All IE11 browsers have been updated to Edge. Users will continue to see the classic IE logo, but it will then redirect to Microsoft Edge upon opening.

People, especially the elderly, might feel a bit overwhelmed trying to move their information from one browser to another. A simple solution to move Internet Explorer 11 favorites to Edge can resolve the stress of information transfer.

If you don't update your IE11 browser to Microsoft Edge, you may struggle to use it in the future. If you keep Windows updated, a future system update will automatically disable IE11, meaning you'll be forced to use a different browser.

People who don't update Windows, or own a computer with a Windows version older than Windows 7, can still perform web searches with IE11. And while Microsoft has ensured seamless data transfer from IE11 to Edge, some users might want to stick to IE11 to access old apps. Web developers still have access to their legacy apps and websites.

According to Microsoft, the expiration of IE11 has no impact on Windows 10 LTSC, Server IE11 apps, and the MSHTML engine.

What Are the Alternatives You’re Left With?

The retirement might be a major blow to IE11 users, but fortunately, the world of the internet has its replacement options. Depending on your device, you can find a reasonable alternative that delivers the same or even better results.

Microsoft Edge is a recommended alternative and contains a few great features over IE11 like sleeping tabs. Other options you can try are Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Apple Safari is also a great option if you own an iOS/macOS device.

Furthermore, Microsoft Edge comes with an Internet Explorer 11 compatibility mode, which means developers and users can get the IE experience without actually using the browser. Simply launch the Internet Explorer mode from within the Settings in Microsoft Edge and add the IE mode pages you wish to open.

Download: Microsoft Edge | Google Chrome | Mozilla Firefox | Apple Safari

Farewell, Internet Explorer 11

Internet Explorer retired on June 15, 2022, which led many people to question how to perform web browsing. Internet Explorer 11 is replaced by Microsoft Edge automatically, but people have the choice to use other browsers like Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Internet Explorer can still be accessed manually, but Microsoft Edge is a faster and more secure replacement for its predecessor.