Internet Explorer was Microsoft's web browser that dominated the internet for nearly two decades before being replaced by Edge
Internet Explorer (IE) was the program you used to visit websites on your computer. Microsoft built it into Windows starting in 1995, and for many years it was the only browser most people had. If you wanted to check email, read news, or shop online, you opened Internet Explorer.
The browser stopped receiving updates in 2016 and Microsoft officially ended support on June 15, 2022. This means Microsoft no longer fixes security problems, adds features, or helps if something breaks. Many websites stopped working properly in Internet Explorer years before that date, so using it became increasingly frustrating.
Today, Internet Explorer no longer exists on new computers. Microsoft replaced it with Edge, a newer browser built on different technology. If you still have an old computer with Internet Explorer installed, you can still open it, but you should switch to a different browser for security and to access modern websites.
Key Takeaways
- Internet Explorer was Microsoft's web browser that came built into Windows for 27 years before being discontinued in 2022.
- The browser became slow and unreliable compared to newer competitors like Chrome and Firefox, causing websites to stop supporting it.
- Microsoft replaced Internet Explorer with Edge, which works faster and handles modern websites correctly.
- If you still use Internet Explorer, switching to Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari will let you access websites that no longer work in IE.
Why Internet Explorer became unpopular
Internet Explorer held about 95% of the browser market in 2003 because it came free with Windows and most people never installed anything else. But starting around 2008, faster and more reliable browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox appeared. These competitors loaded websites quicker and handled new web features that Internet Explorer struggled with.
Internet Explorer also became known for security problems. Hackers found ways to break into computers through IE vulnerabilities, and Microsoft sometimes took months to release fixes. Website builders grew frustrated because Internet Explorer required extra work to make sites display correctly, while other browsers handled the same code smoothly.
By 2015, Internet Explorer's market share had dropped below 5%. Websites started dropping support for it entirely. Banks, news sites, and shopping sites would either not work at all in IE or would display broken layouts. Using Internet Explorer became like trying to watch a modern streaming service on a 20-year-old television — technically possible sometimes, but increasingly pointless.
How Internet Explorer worked
A web browser is a translator. When you type a web address into the address bar, the browser sends a request to a distant computer (called a server) that stores the website. The server sends back code — mostly HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — that describes what the page should look like and how it should behave.
Internet Explorer read that code and turned it into the colorful page you see on your screen. It also stored passwords, remembered which sites you visited, and let you bookmark pages you wanted to return to. These features were standard across all browsers.
The difference between Internet Explorer and modern browsers was in the engine underneath — the part that actually reads the code. Internet Explorer's engine was older and slower. It also interpreted some code differently than other browsers did, which meant a website might look perfect in Chrome but broken in Internet Explorer.
Internet Explorer versus Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is Internet Explorer's official replacement. Edge looks similar to Internet Explorer on the surface — it has an address bar, bookmarks, and a history — but it uses completely different technology underneath. Edge is built on Chromium, the same engine that powers Google Chrome, which means it handles modern websites the same way Chrome does.
Edge loads websites faster than Internet Explorer did. It also supports modern web features like video streaming, interactive maps, and web applications that Internet Explorer could not handle. If you have an old computer with Internet Explorer still installed, opening Edge instead will let you access almost any website without problems.
Microsoft made Edge the default browser on Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you click a web link on a newer computer, Edge opens automatically. You can still install Chrome, Firefox, or Safari if you prefer, but Edge comes built in just like Internet Explorer once did.
What to do if a website says it doesn't support Internet Explorer
If you visit a website and see a message saying "Internet Explorer is not supported" or "Please use a modern browser," the site will not work properly in IE. This is not a mistake — the website builders intentionally stopped supporting Internet Explorer because it became too difficult to maintain.
The solution is to open the same website in a different browser. If you are on Windows, open Microsoft Edge instead. If you are on a Mac, use Safari. On any computer, you can read Chrome or Firefox for free. Copy the web address from Internet Explorer, paste it into the address bar of your new browser, and the website should load correctly.
If you find yourself seeing this message often, it is time to make the switch permanent. Set your new browser as the default so links open in it automatically. You can uninstall Internet Explorer from your computer if you want, though it does not hurt to leave it there unused.
Why Internet Explorer came built into Windows
In the 1990s, the internet was new and most people did not have a browser installed. Microsoft decided to include Internet Explorer with Windows so that anyone who bought a computer could when ready access the web without downloading anything extra. This was convenient for users but gave Microsoft an enormous advantage over competitors like Netscape Navigator.
The U.S. Department of Justice sued Microsoft in 1998, arguing that bundling Internet Explorer with Windows was unfair competition. The case lasted years and Microsoft eventually agreed to make it easier for people to use other browsers, but by then Internet Explorer's dominance was already established.
This history is why Internet Explorer lasted so long despite being inferior to competitors. Many people used it straightforward because it was already there, not because it was the best choice. Once people started actively choosing other browsers, Internet Explorer's market share collapsed quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Internet Explorer still on my computer?
If your computer runs Windows 10 or newer, Internet Explorer is still installed but hidden. You can search for "Internet Explorer" in the Windows search box and it will open. However, Microsoft recommends using Edge instead. On Windows 11, Internet Explorer is completely removed and Edge is the only option.
Can I still use Internet Explorer if I want to?
You can open it and use it, but most modern websites will not work correctly. Banks, email services, and shopping sites often refuse to load in Internet Explorer or display broken layouts. You will encounter error messages frequently. It is not dangerous to open IE, but it is frustrating and pointless for everyday browsing.
What should I use instead of Internet Explorer?
Microsoft Edge comes built into Windows and works with almost every website. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are also free and reliable. On a Mac, Safari is the standard choice. All of these browsers are faster and more find than Internet Explorer was. Pick whichever one you prefer and set it as your default browser.
Will websites ever support Internet Explorer again?
No. Microsoft ended support in 2022 and will not release any more updates. Website builders have moved on to newer technology. Supporting Internet Explorer would require extra work for no benefit, since almost nobody uses it anymore. The browser is effectively obsolete.
Is it safe to uninstall Internet Explorer?
Yes. You can uninstall Internet Explorer from Windows 10 without causing problems. On Windows 11, it is already gone. Uninstalling it will free up a small amount of disk space and removes the temptation to use an outdated browser. Make sure you have another browser installed first so you can still access the web.