Helient Systems : Retirement of Internet Explorer 11 Desktop Application Starting June 15, 2022

by Jake Heberling
Desktop & Applications Engineer

Starting on June 15, 2022, Microsoft will be retiring the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application, after which it will be out of support and no longer receive security updates.

Windows 10 versions affected by this announcement are as follows:

• Windows 10 client SKUs (version 20H2 and later)
• Windows 10 IoT (version 20H2 and later)

The following Windows versions and Internet Explorer components are out of scope at the time of this retirement and will not be affected:

• Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge
• Internet Explorer platform (MSHTML/Trident), including WebOC
• Internet Explorer 11 desktop application on:
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU)
  • Windows Server SAC (all versions)
  • Windows Server LTSC (all versions)
  • Windows 10 client LTSC (all versions)
  • Windows 10 IoT Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) (all versions)

Internet Explorer will be retired in two phases to ensure a quality-driven retirement. The first phase, the redirection phase, will involve a progressive redirection of devices from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge over the next few months after June 15, 2022. To minimize the level of potential business disruption, not all devices will be directed at the same time. This approach is designed to allow quick identification and resolution of potential issues, such as missed sites that will need to be configured for Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge. This redirection is not applied through Windows Updates, but any devices that have received the redirection will find that all shortcuts and file associations that formerly opened in Internet Explorer will open Microsoft Edge instead.

The second phase of retirement is the Windows Update phase, after which Internet Explorer will be permanently disabled on all devices with Windows platforms that are in scope. This phase does not have a date currently set by Microsoft and will be handled through a future Windows Update release.

Microsoft is encouraging all customers to move to Microsoft Edge with Internet Explorer mode enabled to support websites or line-of-business applications requiring legacy browser support. Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge the lifecycle of current and future Windows client, Windows server, and Windows IoT releases (including Windows 11), and will be supported through 2029 at the latest.

Important Note: As part of configuring Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge, Microsoft reminds customers that Internet Explorer 11 should not be uninstalled or removed from Windows, as that will cause Internet Explorer mode to no longer work. Instead, Internet Explorer should be disabled as a stand-alone browser to prevent direct access.

Helient strongly recommends taking the necessary steps in response to this retirement, which includes testing all important websites in another browser or in Microsoft Edge with Internet Explorer mode. If you would like more information or assistance, please contact our industry-leading experts at service@helient.com.