Microsoft is preparing to shut down Internet Explorer on June 13, which will mark the end of an era for many. What’s more, Microsoft has now confirmed that it will no longer provide regular updates to Internet Explorer starting in 2020. This means that support and security updates may become more difficult to achieve in the future. It also means that users should begin planning their migration strategy sooner rather than later if they plan to keep using Internet Explorer after June 15. In this article, we’ll discuss what the retirement of Internet Explorer means for you and your company, as well as what you can do about it.

Why is Microsoft retiring Internet Explorer?

Internet Explorer has been a core part of Microsoft’s product strategy for the last three decades, and it’s been present in nearly all of the company’s products. However, the world has changed dramatically since Internet Explorer debuted in 1995. The Internet has changed so much since then that many of the aspects that made up the original browser are now outdated. According to Internet Explorer chief Brendan Arrington, the browser’s continued use after 2018 will be “premature.” This is because Internet Explorer is now used by a relatively small number of people. In contrast, other modern browsers such as Google’s Chrome, Mozilla’s Firefox, and Apple’s Safari have become ubiquitous. Internet Explorer’s continued usage further complicates the company’s efforts to bring modern web standards to older platforms. It’s also an obstacle to Microsoft’s efforts to make the software more secure. Finally, the browser is a drain on Microsoft’s resources.

What happens to websites that use IE after June 15?

Internet Explorer will remain in Microsoft’s products. However, there will be no updates to the browser or security updates in 2020. Websites that require Internet Explorer to be accessible will continue to work, but users will be unable to take advantage of newer features. Microsoft does plan to offer a bridge for older browsers that will allow users to access these sites. However, Microsoft has not yet announced the date the bridge will be available. As a result, users will get a warning that they will no longer be able to access websites if they don’t upgrade their browsers. And websites will probably have to be updated, which can be costly.

How to update your website to a new web address in June

Ideally, you will have done this in advance. If you have a website that’s several years old, you’ll want to update it to a modern design in advance of the retirement of Internet Explorer. Alternatively, you may want to start a new website. Whatever you do, you’ll want to update your website to a modern UI. Because Internet Explorer will no longer be supported, new viruses and other malware will likely target the browser. A modern UI will make it easier to spot and remove malware.

Updates to Office 365, Azure, and other web services

Microsoft has announced that it will retire Internet Explorer as the default browser for Office 365 and Azure services. This means that you will no longer be able to use the default browser for accruing credits for Office 365, for instance, nor will you be able to use the default browser for accessing your Azure services. Instead, you will be able to use Chrome or Firefox.  It’s unclear how the company will handle other services, like Azure, which allow users to choose a different browser. It’s also unclear how automatic redirections will work in the context of third-party applications, like web-based email clients, that rely on the default browser for automatic login.

Microsoft ended support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014

Microsoft ended support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014. This means that users who have not upgraded their computer to Windows 10 will no longer be able to use Internet Explorer. This is a bit ironic, considering that Internet Explorer is retiring. Windows XP users will probably have to rely more on Google Chrome and Firefox, which are much more secure and modern. Windows XP users will still be able to use Internet Explorer on a virtual machine. It’s unclear, however, whether they will be able to access websites that are not already using a modern UI.

Conclusion

Microsoft has announced that it will retire Internet Explorer in 2020. This means that users who rely on the browser will no longer be able to access websites that don’t use modern web standards.