It appears that Microsoft is ready to shut down its long-living web browser, Internet Explorer. In November 2020, Microsoft is planning to discontinue the support of Internet Explorer, which will lead to its termination after 25 years of service.
Shortly after the addition of Microsoft Edge, the renovated browser provides users with more features, power, and speed, and it was somewhat known that IE would have to face its termination. Microsoft has also noted that every service that required IE 11 will no longer do so on August 17, 2021, including all Microsoft 365 apps and services.
Microsoft Edge is the primary app to continue IE’s legacy and help users access Microsoft 365 apps and services.
- Beginning November 30, 2020, the Microsoft Teams web app will no longer support IE 11.
- Beginning August 17, 2021, the remaining Microsoft 365 apps and services will no longer support IE 11.
According to Microsoft’s official statement:
Customers have been using IE 11 since 2013 when the online environment was much less sophisticated than the landscape today. Since then, open web standards and newer browsers—like the new Microsoft Edge—have enabled better, more innovative online experiences. We believe that Microsoft 365 subscribers, in both consumer and commercial contexts, will be well served with this change through faster and more responsive web access to greater sets of features in everyday toolsets like Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and more.