Internet Explorer was Microsoft's web browser, but it stopped working on June 15, 2022
Internet Explorer was the program you used to view websites on your computer. Microsoft built it into Windows starting in 1995, and for many years it was the main way people browsed the internet. On June 15, 2022, Microsoft shut it down completely — the program no longer opens, and websites no longer work inside it.
If you still have Internet Explorer on your computer, it will not connect to modern websites. Banks, email providers, and news sites have all stopped supporting it. This happened because Internet Explorer was slow, crashed often, and had serious security problems that made it dangerous to use online.
You need a different browser now. The most common replacements are Chrome (made by Google), Firefox (made by Mozilla), Safari (built into Mac computers), and Edge (Microsoft's newer browser, which replaced Internet Explorer). All of these work on Windows, Mac, and phones.
Key Takeaways
- Internet Explorer was Microsoft's web browser from 1995 until it was shut down on June 15, 2022, and no longer works at all.
- Modern websites do not support Internet Explorer, so you cannot use it to check email, do banking, or watch videos anymore.
- You need to download a different browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge are the main options, and all are free.
- Internet Explorer was replaced because it was slow, unreliable, and had security flaws that put your personal information at risk.
Why Microsoft shut down Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer became slower than other browsers as websites grew more complex. A page that loaded in seconds in Chrome might take 30 seconds in Internet Explorer, or freeze entirely. The program also crashed without warning, losing your work and your place on the page.
Security was the biggest problem. Internet Explorer had more vulnerabilities — holes that hackers could exploit — than any other browser. Microsoft released security patches constantly, but new problems kept appearing. Using Internet Explorer to check your bank account or enter a password was genuinely risky.
By 2020, almost no one was using it anymore. Websites stopped testing whether they worked in Internet Explorer. Banks and government agencies removed support for it. Microsoft decided it was better to shut the program down entirely than to keep patching a browser that was holding the internet back.
What to do if you still see Internet Explorer on your computer
If you open Internet Explorer now, you will see a message telling you to use a different browser. The program will not let you go to any website. This is intentional — Microsoft disabled it to protect you from security risks.
You do not need to delete Internet Explorer from your computer. It will not hurt anything sitting there unused. But you do need to download and use a different browser for everything else.
If a program or website tells you that you need Internet Explorer, that program or website is very old and no longer maintained. Do not try to turn Internet Explorer back on. Instead, contact the organization that runs that program or website and ask them for a version that works with modern browsers.
How to download a replacement browser
Go to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge in your current browser (or ask someone to help you). Each one has a big button that says "Download" or "get your free guide." Click it, wait for the file to finish downloading, then double-click the file to install it.
The installation takes about two minutes. When it finishes, the new browser will open automatically. You can then bookmark your favorite websites and set it as your default browser — the one that opens when you click a link in an email or document.
All three browsers are free. None of them will ask you for a credit card. They all work the same basic way: you type a web address in the address bar at the top, press Enter, and the website loads.
The difference between Internet Explorer and modern browsers
Modern browsers load websites much faster because they are built for today's internet. A page with videos, maps, and interactive tools that would crash Internet Explorer loads smoothly in Chrome or Firefox. They also use less of your computer's memory, so your computer stays fast even if you have many tabs open.
Security is built in. Modern browsers warn you if you are about to visit a dangerous website. They block ads that try to install malware. They encrypt your passwords so hackers cannot steal them, even if they intercept your internet connection.
Updates happen automatically in the background. You do not have to think about security patches or new versions. The browser just gets better without you doing anything.
If a website says it only works in Internet Explorer
This almost never happens anymore, but if you encounter it, the website is not maintained. Banks, government agencies, and legitimate businesses all updated their websites years ago. A website that truly requires Internet Explorer is either abandoned or not trustworthy.
If it is a website you need to use — for example, an old internal system at your workplace — tell your IT department or the organization that runs it. They can update it to work with modern browsers, or they can tell you what to do instead. Do not try to use Internet Explorer anyway, because it will not work and it puts your computer at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn Internet Explorer back on if I need it?
No. Microsoft disabled it permanently on June 15, 2022, and there is no way to turn it back on. If you absolutely need to view an old website that claims to require it, you would need to use a very old computer that still has an older version of Windows — but this is not recommended because of security risks.
Is Internet Explorer still on my computer?
Probably. Microsoft left the program installed on Windows computers even after shutting it down, so it takes up a small amount of space. You can delete it if you want, but it is harmless to leave it there. It simply will not work anymore.
Which browser should I use instead?
Chrome is the most popular and works on Windows, Mac, phones, and tablets. Firefox is faster on older computers and gives you more privacy controls. Edge is built into Windows and works well if you use other Microsoft products. Safari comes with Mac and iPhone. Any of these are better than Internet Explorer.
Will my passwords and bookmarks move to the new browser?
Most modern browsers can import your bookmarks and saved passwords from Internet Explorer when you first set them up. When you install Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, look for an option that says "Import" or "Import from another browser" and follow the steps. This usually takes less than a minute.
Is it safe to use the internet now that Internet Explorer is gone?
Yes. Modern browsers are much safer. They have built-in protection against malware, phishing, and other attacks. As long as you use Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari, you are protected by security updates that happen automatically.