Used Internet Explorer for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.
Editors’ Review
Internet Explorer remains Microsoft’s legacy browser, primarily kept for intranet and line-of-business sites. It is retired and out of support, but still matters where ActiveX support and Legacy web app compatibility are unavoidable. Archived Offline installer availability still exists for older systems in controlled setups by IT teams.
Internet Explorer also offers InPrivate browsing, Tracking Protection, and F12 Developer Tools for troubleshooting legacy sites, though its standards support lags behind modern engines. For browsing, Microsoft recommends Edge with IE mode in Microsoft Edge to load older sites while keeping a modern baseline for security, updates, and performance.
Keeping legacy business sites working
Internet Explorer remains useful only where line-of-business portals or device consoles require IE-specific technologies. In such cases, the browser offers predictable behavior for aging scripts and embedded controls, while administrators can strictly limit access to approved domains. For everyday browsing, a modern engine is recommended; Microsoft provides a seamless compatibility path in its current browser so organizations can keep legacy access without maintaining a separate default app.
The experience is pragmatic rather than fast: pages built for modern standards may render poorly, extensions are limited, and security posture trails current browsers. Performance can feel sluggish under heavy scripts, and many systems disable direct launching entirely. Where used, value comes from stable behavior on legacy pages and the ability to lock usage to specific sites and sessions under tight administrative rules. User education and guardrails are critical.
For alternatives, Microsoft Edge integrates an IE-compatibility experience for designated sites, offering modern security with legacy access. Chrome and Firefox are strong choices for daily browsing, standards support, and performance. Retain this browser only when an application mandate exists, keep launch paths restricted, and route everything else through a current engine to reduce risk, simplify support, and improve user experience across everyday tasks. Administrative oversight remains essential in production.
Pros
- Keeps legacy business portals accessible
- Predictable behavior for older controls
- Admins can limit to approved sites
Cons
- Retired and no longer supported
- Weak modern standards and extensions
- Slower under heavy scripts
- Disabled on many systems
Bottom Line
Use only for strict legacy needs
Internet Explorer serves a narrow, essential role: keeping legacy business sites and controls accessible when no alternative exists. It is retired and out of support, so everyday browsing belongs to a modern engine. Keep usage tightly scoped, enable compatibility only for approved pages, and educate users on safer defaults. Where legacy remains mandatory, this browser is a tool of last resort; otherwise, choose a current, fully supported option.
What’s new in version 11
- The browser is retired and out of support; no feature updates
- Certain Windows 10 builds permanently disable launching via an Edge update
- Legacy sites should be opened using Edge’s built-in IE compatibility
Used Internet Explorer for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.
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