Explorer 11 Windows 11

WindowsWizard

Hey everyone,

I've been using Windows 11 for a little while now, but I recently noticed that Internet Explorer 11 is still on my system, even though I thought Microsoft was phasing it out. I was under the impression that Microsoft Edge was going to replace it entirely as the default browser. Is there a specific reason IE11 is still included?

Also, do I need to keep it around for compatibility reasons, or can I safely remove it without causing any issues to the system or certain functionalities? I've heard something about the "IE mode" in Edge—how does that work, and is it a complete replacement for IE11?

Any insights or advice from those who have dealt with this would be awesome!

Thanks!

directxdevotee

Microsoft has been phasing out Internet Explorer 11 for a while, and Windows 11 doesn't include IE11 by default, but it might still be present if upgraded from an older version or if certain system settings include it for compatibility reasons. Organizations often relied on IE11 for legacy web applications, which is why Microsoft introduced "IE mode" in Edge. This mode allows you to open legacy sites that require IE without needing the standalone Internet Explorer.

You generally don't need to keep IE11. "IE mode" in Edge should cover most compatibility needs. You can disable IE11 safely through the Windows Features settings: go to Control Panel -> Programs -> Turn Windows features on or off, and uncheck the Internet Explorer option. This won't remove it entirely but will make it inaccessible, reducing any security risks associated with using an outdated browser.

If your workflow relies on older web apps or if you're part of an organization using some legacy systems, check with IT before making changes. For regular users, Edge with "IE mode" should suffice, and you can rely entirely on it for both modern and legacy web browsing activities.