Let us take you back down memory lane.

Do you remember the days when Internet Explorer (IE) was the most popular browser? The little blue “e” icon that was the gateway to the Internet for millions of computer users. Whether you are surfing for favourite recipes or checking your email, this iconic IE symbol was always there—especially on Windows 10 computers. In the early 1990s, it was the most dominant web browser that commanded over 95% of the market.

But, in 2025 now, if you are wondering, “Should I support Internet Explorer in 2025?” The answer is no. Internet Explorer is no longer available—as Microsoft officially retired it on June 15, 2022. There were a lot of reasons behind the drop, ranging from security vulnerabilities to slow performance. In this comprehensive guide, we will dive down into the mystery behind Internet Explorer's end of life in the modern system.

What Happened to Support Internet Explorer?

In 1995, Microsoft releases the first version of Internet Explorer, and over time it becomes an essential part of our daily lives. Moreover, it came pre-installed on Windows computers, which makes it incredibly popular. But as technologies were increasingly growing and new browsers surfaced, Microsoft did not maintain the browsers to keep up with current trends. They stop updating the browser, adopting the modern web standards and security requirements, and fixing raised bugs. Therefore, Internet Explorer 11 becomes the last version—they did not release any updated version and will never do so.

The Microsoft Edge: The Recommended Alternative

Edge IE mode is an advent as a transitional solution that acts as a compatibility layer to access legacy applications. Many companies and users can access IE functionality by enabling IE mode on Microsoft Edge. This distinctive feature allows them to access internal tools and older websites that only work with Internet Explorer. As an IE successor, Edge offers several benefits over its predecessors:

• Regular updates and instant debugging support
• Enhanced security and vulnerability patches
• Built-in productivity tools for faster performance
• Better compatibility with modern web standards

But the twist is this feature won't last forever—as Microsoft already announced the Edge IE mode end of life in 2029. However, it is essential to note that this feature is more a temporary crutch than a permanent solution. It is recommended for businesses to migrate their legacy systems to modern solutions.

Why is Internet Explorer 11 No Longer Supported in 2025?

Using Internet Explorer in 2025 comes with real problems that cannot be negligible. There is a plethora of reasons that determine “why you should not use Internet Explorer in 2025.” Let us uncover some of the main reasons:

1. Security Risks: Since the support end date for Internet Explorer 11 is long past, Microsoft has not released any security updates. This means it makes it more vulnerable for hackers to threaten users’ sensitive information. Think of it as using a locked door with a broken keyhole—that’s what using Internet Explorer is like now.
   
   
2. Lack of Compatibility: Modern websites are built with innovative technologies that IE doesn't support, like CSS Grid, WebP images, and JavaScript APIs. Along with these websites, built for modern browsers like Firefox, Chrome, and Edge. Therefore, the website might look broken, not be working properly, and load slowly.
   
   
3. Increased Maintenance Cost: Developing and maintaining a website that works on both modern browsers and IE11 often increases the development cost and money. Instead of investing time in enhancing the website for modern users, developers need to write parallel code to make it compatible for IE.
   
   
4. Poor Performance: With the rise of advanced technologies, modern websites become much faster and easier on modern browsers than IE. As for IE’s lack of support, it degrades its performance with slow loading speed and user experience.

Alternative Options: What Should You Do Instead?

What should you do besides using IE mode? However, your organisation still supports Internet Explorer and accessing it through Edge IE mode. Follow these practical steps to move forward:

1. Audit Your Web Application: Primarily, don’t develop and update your website for Internet Explorer. Secondly, identify which platform still works on IE browsers and then update it for modern browsers.
   
   
2. Implement Browser Update Policies: Clearly communicate to users that you no longer support Internet Explorer; encourage them to switch to the modern browser alternatives. This includes Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari browsers for faster, more secure, and more efficient support.
   
   
3. Integrate Modern Web Standards into Your System: For those businesses that still use tools that work on IE, try to update web standards to meet current and future technologies.
   
   
4. Consider Adding an” Internet Explorer end-of-life disable.” Notification: If someone tries to access your site through the Support Internet Explorer browser, enable a notification showing and explaining that the browser is no longer supported. Additionally, for a seamless and coherent browsing experience, suggest some alternative browsers.

Conclusion:

Suppose you access a website through a flip-flop mobile phone in 2025---what you experience is a small screen and slow loading speed. Frustrating, right? Conversely, others who have smartphones can stream the website 10x faster and easier. That’s what using Internet Explorer feels like in 2025, except using Edge IE mode as a temporary solution. It’s upon you to support IE11 or not reach a particular user group and target audience in a particular region. However, if your target audience does not support Internet Explorer, then you don’t have to waste your time in enhancing the compatibility of your website.

For web developers and general users, the retirement of Internet Explorer gives an opportunity to switch to modern browsers. The Internet Explorer end of life enables websites to offer faster, more secure, and more feature-rich experiences to users. If you are someone who still relies on support for Internet Explorer through Edge IE mode, the message is clear: update your system and move to standard browsers.