IE browser will exit the stage of history? Microsoft: Win10 will no longer support IE 11 desktop applications in 2022

On May 19, Microsoft announced that the Internet Explorer browser in the Windows 10 version will be replaced by Microsoft Edge. On June 15, 2022, some Windows 10 versions will stop using the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application. Microsoft said that Microsoft Edge is faster and safer than Internet Explorer, bringing users a more modern browsing experience, and it also solves a key issue: compatibility with old, legacy websites and applications. Microsoft Edge has a built-in Internet Explorer mode (IE mode), and users can directly access websites and applications based on the old version of Internet Explorer from Microsoft Edge.

However, this decision will not affect Windows 10 LTSC, Server Internet Explorer 11 desktop applications, MSHTML (Trident) engine, and Windows 7 and 8.1 versions will not be affected.

(Legend) The Windows version affected and unaffected by Microsoft's decision.

In addition, Microsoft has given a timetable for the "retirement" of IE 11 desktop applications: on August 17, 2021, apps such as Microsoft 365 will stop supporting IE 11; on June 15, 2022, support for IE11 desktop applications will cease.

IE browser and Microsoft Edge have been updated after more than 20 years

On August 16, 1995, Microsoft launched the first generation of Internet Explore browser. It was once one of the most widely used web browsers in the world with the highest market share. In 2002, it had a 95% market share.

However, IE 6 was rated as the "Eighth Worst Technology Product in History" in 2006, and in the list of the "50 Worst Technology Products in the History of Technology" in 2011, IE 6 ranked 11th.

In 2013, Microsoft officially released the IE11 browser.

However, in March 2015, Microsoft confirmed that it would abandon the IE brand and instead replaced Internet Explorer with Microsoft Edge on Windows 10.

For more than five years since then, Microsoft has been trying to update the IE browser and Microsoft Edge. Since the birth of Microsoft Edge in 2015, Microsoft has regarded Internet Explorer as a "compatibility solution" rather than a browser. Compared to the aging IE, Microsoft encourages users to use Microsoft Edge and its built-in IE mode.

On October 15, 2015, Microsoft announced that it would stop providing technical support for multiple older versions of Internet Explorer browsers on January 12, 2016. In August 2020, Microsoft announced that its online services will bid farewell to the ancient IE browser and stop IE 11 support for Microsoft 365 applications, OneDrive, Outlook, etc. on August 17, 2021.

In August 2020, Microsoft announced that it would end support for the old version of Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML kernel) desktop applications on March 9, 2021, and instead support the new Microsoft Edge (Chromium kernel).

In 2021, Microsoft announced that it will stop supporting Internet Explorer 11 desktop applications, and most users can choose the IE mode in the Microsoft Edge browser when they need it. Microsoft Edge with built-in IE mode was launched in 2019. IE mode supports old ActiveX spaces and legacy websites (many users are still using them). Microsoft promises that Microsoft Edge will support IE mode at least until 2029.

Reference link:
https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2021/05/19/the-future-of-internet-explorer-on-windows-10-is-in-microsoft-edge/
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/internet-explorer-11-desktop-app-retirement-faq/ba-p/2366549
https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/19/22443997/microsoft-internet-explorer-end-of-support-date
https://baike.baidu.com/item/Internet%20Explorer