Microsoft has completed the transition away from Internet Explorer 11, directing users toward the Edge browser as the primary, safer gateway to the web. Since midyear, the legacy IE11 experience has faded from active support, cementing Edge as the standard for ongoing compatibility, performance, and security across both the United States and Canada. This shift is part of a broader move to modernize the web experience for businesses and consumers alike, encouraging adoption of Edge to keep systems up to date and protected while preserving access to essential tools that still depend on older technologies.
Earlier announcements signaled a broad deprecation of Internet Explorer in favor of a streamlined, modern browsing platform. Microsoft underscored that moving to Edge provides a path forward for the web while still honoring the heritage of legacy sites and apps. The message emphasized that the change was necessary to keep users secure and productive without abandoning the reliable tools and sites used daily across organizations and households in North America.
In its formal guidance, Microsoft highlighted Edge’s strengths, including stronger security, better performance, and a more responsive browsing experience. A key feature is Internet Explorer mode (IE mode), a built‑in capability that allows access to legacy IE-based websites and applications directly within Edge. This compatibility bridge helps maintain continuity for older business tools and industry-specific platforms that have not yet migrated away from IE technologies.
The update also clarified that the latest version of Internet Explorer would no longer be offered as Microsoft redirects users toward Edge as the company’s main browser. This transition aligns with a broader strategy to standardize browsing experiences across Windows devices and to ensure users benefit from current security patches and performance improvements provided by Edge.
Edge receives regular monthly security updates, including patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. When critical issues arise, security fixes can be rolled out rapidly, sometimes within days or hours, to protect users across consumer and enterprise environments. This fast patching capability is one of the primary reasons many organizations in North America have already adopted Edge as their default browser.
It is important to note that while support for Internet Explorer 11 has ended, server-based browser applications, the Windows 10 Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), and older Trident MSHTML engine components are not affected by IE’s retirement. Enterprises relying on legacy server setups or specific internal workflows should plan migration paths that align with Edge’s capabilities and IE mode for continued access where needed. In practice, IT teams can phase out IE across workstations while preserving access to legacy tools through Edge without compromising security or compatibility.
For users in Canada and the United States, the transition is more than a technical update. It represents a practical upgrade to a safer, more capable browsing experience that supports modern web standards, faster load times, and improved privacy controls. Moving to Edge ensures ongoing support for a wide ecosystem of web apps, collaboration tools, and enterprise portals that increasingly rely on up‑to‑date security models and modern rendering engines. Organizations are encouraged to test critical sites in IE mode within Edge to ensure uninterrupted access during the shift and to train staff with updated browser practices and security guidelines.
Ultimately, the move reflects Microsoft’s long‑term plan to unify the browsing experience under Edge while maintaining access to essential, legacy systems through IE mode. This approach minimizes disruption for users who rely on older applications while delivering a modern, secure, and compatible web experience for today’s workloads and tomorrow’s developments.