Originally published: July 18, 2016
Updated: November 3, 2021
Please go here to search for your product's lifecycle.
What is the Lifecycle policy for Microsoft Edge?
Microsoft Edge follows the Modern Policy. Go here for Microsoft Edge Lifecycle Policy details.
Support for the legacy version of the Microsoft Edge desktop app ended on March 9, 2021. The Microsoft Edge Legacy application will no longer receive security updates after that date. Go here to learn more.
For additional lifecycle information, see servicing guidelines by channel along with a list of supported operating systems.
Microsoft recommends using Microsoft Edge as your default browser. Go here to download.
What is the Lifecycle policy for Internet Explorer?
Internet Explorer is a component of the Windows operating system (OS) and follows the Lifecycle Policy for the product on which it is installed and supported.
Please note that the Internet Explorer (IE) 11 desktop application will end support for certain operating systems starting June 15, 2022. Customers are encouraged to move to Microsoft Edge with IE mode. IE mode enables backward compatibility and will be supported through at least 2029. Additionally, Microsoft will provide notice one year prior to retiring IE mode. Please go here to learn more.
Some versions of Internet Explorer may be supported past the latest Windows OS end date when Extended Security Updates (ESUs) are available. Go here for a list of products offering ESUs.
For help migrating from IE 11 to Edge, go here.
For information about Teams and Office 365/Microsoft 365 support on IE11, go here.
For information on Azure DevOps support on IE11, go here.
The tables below show the supported version of Internet Explorer for each operating system.
Windows Desktop operating systems
| Operating system | Internet Explorer version | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 7 ESU | Internet Explorer 11 | |
| Windows 8.1 Update | Internet Explorer 11 | |
| Windows 10 Semi Annual Channel | Internet Explorer 11 | Starting June 15, 2022,the IE11 desktopapplication will nolonger be supported. |
| Windows 10 2015 LTSB | Internet Explorer 11 | |
| Windows 10 2016 LTSB | Internet Explorer 11 | |
| Windows 10 2019 LTSC | Internet Explorer 11 |
Windows Server operating systems
| Operating system | Internet Explorer version | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2008 ESU | Internet Explorer 9 | |
| Windows Server 2008 IA64 (Itanium) ESU | Internet Explorer 9 | |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 ESU | Internet Explorer 11 | |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 IA64 (Itanium) ESU | Internet Explorer 11 | |
| Windows Server 2012 | Internet Explorer 11 | As of February 12, 2020,IE10 is no longersupported. |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | Internet Explorer 11 | |
| Windows Server 2016 | Internet Explorer 11 | |
| Windows Server 2019 | Internet Explorer 11 | |
| Windows Server 2022 | Internet Explorer 11 |
Windows Embedded operating systems
| Operating system | Internet Explorer version | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Embedded Compact 2013 | Internet Explorer 7 | |
| Windows Embedded Standard 7 | Internet Explorer 11 | |
| Windows Embedded POSReady 7 | Internet Explorer 11 | |
| Windows Thin PC | Internet Explorer 11 | On January 10, 2017,IE11 replaced IE8 onWindows Thin PC. |
| Windows Embedded 8 Standard | Internet Explorer 11 | As of February 12, 2020,IE10 is no longersupported. |
| Windows 8.1 Industry Update | Internet Explorer 11 |
Is Internet Explorer 11 the last version of Internet Explorer?
Yes, Internet Explorer 11 is the last major version of Internet Explorer. The Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will go out of support for certain operating systems starting June 15, 2022. Customers are encouraged to move to Microsoft Edge with Internet Explorer (IE) mode. IE mode provides built-in legacy browser support for sites requiring Internet Explorer. For supported operating systems, Internet Explorer 11 will continue receiving security updates and technical support for the lifecycle of the Windows version on which it is installed. See above for a list of supported operating systems for Internet Explorer by version.
Additionally, certain Microsoft apps and services have ended support for IE11. Go here to learn more.
What if my enterprise line-of-business (LOB) application has a dependency on a version of Internet Explorer that reached end of support?
Microsoft is committed to supporting Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge through at least 2029, on supported operating systems. Additionally, Microsoft will provide a minimum of one year notice prior to end of support for IE mode. Windows support dates are documented on the Product Lifecycle page and may require an Extended Security Update (ESU) license, if available, to receive operating system security updates beyond its End of Support date.
What is Microsoft's guidance if customers run an application that depends on specific Internet Explorer runtime DLLs?
Microsoft will release security updates only for the latest version of Internet Explorer for each Windows operating system. Customers must install the latest version of Internet Explorer to update the Internet Explorer runtime DLLs, receive updates, and remain in a supported configuration.
If a customer has turned off the Internet Explorer feature but has third-party software that uses Internet Explorer runtime DLLs, how can the Internet Explorer runtime DLLs be updated?
If customers need an update to the Internet Explorer runtime DLLs, they must install the latest version of Internet Explorer (IE11) to update the runtime DLLs. After doing so they will continue to receive security updates.