The company is ready to go all-in on Microsoft Edge

May 26, 2021 16:00 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has already announced that it’s retiring Internet Explorer, the original Windows browser, and the company has now used the Build developer conference to remind everybody that its only focus in terms of browsers is Microsoft Edge.

Speaking about the improvements received by Microsoft Edge and the company’s contributions to the Chromium project, Microsoft emphasized that “the future of Internet Explorer is in Microsoft Edge.”

Indeed, Edge comes with a built-in IE mode, which allows users to load certain websites using the Internet Explorer engine. This obviously comes in handy for compatibility purposes and is Microsoft’s recommended choice for those who need such capabilities.

The desktop version of IE 11 will be retired on June 15, 2022, with the app to only stick around for a little bit longer for Windows 10 LTSC versions.

“We know that catering to specific browsers are top pain points for you, so this news means that you will be able to focus more of your efforts on modern web experiences. But we didn’t leave your customers and users behind either. With Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge, consumers and organizations will be able to use IE-based sites and apps alongside modern ones in Microsoft Edge—this is what we call the dual engine advantage in Microsoft Edge,” Microsoft says.

The new default browser

The company tells companies to begin planning the switch to Microsoft Edge, admitting that “transitions are hard but can be made easier.”

“With this retirement date set, we recommend you develop a plan to end support for IE11 for your websites and apps, and to stage a process to transition users from Internet Explorer over time and with easy pathways forward. When you’re ready, we can help you with this. When end users land on a website that is no longer supporting their go-to browser, it can be disruptive and jarring. We can help, with a guided transition process and a one-click option to bring over important user data like passwords and favorites,” it says.

Microsoft Edge is already pre-loaded with Windows 10, as the browser is currently the default browser on all versions of the operating system.