How to Read Internet Explorer- Legacy Browser Guide
Internet Explorer Is Dead—Here's What That Actually Means for You
Microsoft officially retired Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022. The browser that once dominated 95% of the market is gone. If you're still clinging to it, you're running outdated software with no security patches. That's the reality.
Most users moved on years ago. But some enterprise systems, old government portals, and legacy internal tools still require it. This guide covers what you actually need to know now.
What Happened to Internet Explorer
Microsoft Edge replaced Internet Explorer. The company pushed users toward its new browser while slowly killing support for the old one.
Windows 10 and 11 stopped receiving IE updates. Windows 11 removed IE entirely from the Start menu. Microsoft 365 apps dropped IE support. Even Microsoft's own products abandoned the browser.
The final nail in the coffin: Microsoft Teams stopped working on IE 11 in November 2020. If Teams won't run on it, nothing will.
Why You Shouldn't Use Internet Explorer Anymore
Security vulnerabilities. That's the main reason to quit. Hackers know IE is unpatched. They target it specifically. Every day you use IE is a day you're exposed.
Compatibility issues pile up. Modern websites use CSS Grid, Flexbox, ES6 JavaScript, WebP images. IE renders none of these properly. Pages break. Features disappear. Forms fail to submit.
Performance is terrible. IE's rendering engine is ancient. Pages load slower. Animations stutter. Videos buffer constantly.
The Security Reality
When Microsoft ended support, they stopped fixing security holes. Zero-day exploits that work on IE will never get patched. Your system is vulnerable to:
- Remote code execution attacks
- Data theft through compromised sessions
- Drive-by downloads from malicious websites
- Man-in-the-middle attacks on unencrypted connections
Running IE connected to the internet in 2024 is reckless. Period.
How to Access Legacy Sites That Still Require IE
Some systems won't die. Government portals, banking tools, old enterprise software—these things don't care that IE is retired. Here's how to handle them safely.
Use Edge's IE Mode
Microsoft Edge includes an IE Mode built specifically for this problem. It runs IE rendering inside Edge. You get modern browser security with legacy site compatibility.
Steps to enable IE Mode in Edge:
- Open Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot menu in the top right
- Select "Settings"
- Click "Default browser" in the left sidebar
- Set "Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode" to "Allow"
- Click "Reload in Internet Explorer mode" button when visiting an IE-only site
You can also force specific sites to always open in IE Mode through Group Policy or registry settings. This is useful for enterprise deployments.
Virtual Machines as Last Resort
If Edge IE Mode doesn't work, you might need a virtual machine with an older Windows image. This is extreme, but some legacy applications genuinely require it.
Use Windows Sandbox or Hyper-V to isolate an old Windows 10 VM. Keep it disconnected from your main network. Only use it for the specific legacy tool that requires IE.
This approach adds security but reduces convenience significantly. Only go this route if you have no other option.
Browser Alternatives in 2024
You don't need to use IE. Modern browsers handle 99% of what IE did, plus everything it couldn't.
| Browser | Best For | IE Mode Support | Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Edge | Windows users, IE legacy sites | Yes (built-in) | 13% |
| Google Chrome | General use, web apps | No | 65% |
| Mozilla Firefox | Privacy-focused users | No | 3% |
| Apple Safari | macOS/iOS users | No | 19% |
Edge wins if you have legacy IE requirements. Chrome wins for general web use. Firefox wins if you care about tracking protection. Safari wins on Apple devices.
Common IE-Only Sites and What to Do
- Government portals: Most have migrated. Check if the modern version works in Edge. If not, use IE Mode.
- Old banking systems: Call your bank. They should have modern alternatives. If not, use isolated IE Mode.
- Internal enterprise tools: Your IT department should have a migration plan. Push them to implement one.
- Legacy SaaS platforms: Many vendors dropped IE support. Demand an upgrade or find an alternative.
The Bottom Line
Internet Explorer is dead. Using it exposes you to unpatched security vulnerabilities. Don't do it unless you have no choice.
For legacy sites, use Edge's IE Mode. It's the officially supported solution. It keeps you secure while maintaining compatibility.
Push your vendors and IT departments to upgrade. The longer they wait, the worse the security risk becomes. Legacy systems are a liability, not an asset.
Move on. The web already has.