Still have an old intranet portal or ActiveX app that only works in Internet Explorer? IE11 was Microsoft's last version of the browser, released in 2013 for Windows 7, 8.1 and 10. Support ended on June 15, 2022, and Microsoft now points legacy sites to IE mode in Edge, supported until at least 2029.
How does Internet Explorer 11 handle legacy sites?
IE11 uses Microsoft's browser engine and supports older web technologies, including ActiveX controls used by some internal portals and business applications. Compatibility View can adapt how certain older pages are displayed.
For troubleshooting or web development, the F12 Developer Tools include document modes that imitate rendering behavior from earlier Internet Explorer releases. This lets a developer inspect a page in an older mode without switching to a separate browser.
Which web and security features are built in?
IE11 supports WebGL for browser-based graphics and HTTP/2 for web connections. Secure sites connect over TLS 1.2 by default.
SmartScreen filtering checks sites and downloads for known threats. Enhanced Protected Mode adds another security control, though the desktop browser has reached the end of support.
What is IE11's status on current Windows systems?
Microsoft ended support for the IE11 desktop application in 2022, and an Edge update permanently disabled it on certain Windows 10 versions. On Windows 11, legacy site access is available through Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge, which uses IE technology to display compatible pages.
Pros
- F12 tools include document modes for testing older Internet Explorer rendering
- SmartScreen filtering is built into the browser
- Supports WebGL and HTTP/2
Cons
- Desktop-browser support ended on June 15, 2022
- Microsoft disabled the desktop app on certain Windows 10 versions
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 · 32-bit and 64-bit · 1 GHz processor · At least 512 MB RAM, depending on Windows version and architecture · Internet connection
Can Internet Explorer 11 run on Windows 11?
Windows 11 uses Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge for legacy sites; it does not provide the IE11 desktop application.
Can IE11 imitate earlier Internet Explorer versions?
Yes. Its F12 Developer Tools provide document modes for testing rendering behavior from earlier Internet Explorer releases.
What can replace the IE11 desktop app for legacy sites?
Microsoft Edge's Internet Explorer mode displays sites using Internet Explorer technology.