Windows Internet Explorer (IE11) Retirement: What You Need to Know and Do


Microsoft ended support for the Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) browser on June 15, 2022   

Microsoft recommends IE users move to Edge.  OIT also recommends IE users move to an alternate browser to avoid future issues and recommends modern browsers, such as Edge, Chrome and Firefox. 

The steps to move to Edge (or another browser) depend on whether your computer is a University computer managed by OIT (in a managed computer program or through the Kace agent), an un-managed University computer, or a personally-owned computer.  The sections below describe steps and tips on updating your browser, for these scenarios. 

IE11 Experience After Retirement

See Microsoft document (link below) for expected IE11 behavior if user tries to launch starting Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ - Microsoft Tech Community

Changing your default browser to another browser 

Once you download and install the Edge Chromium (or other modern browser software), you will want to make it your preferred browser so all websites and pages open in this browser.  

Windows 11

  1. Click the Start button, and then type Default apps
  2. In the search results, select Default apps
  3. Scroll down to HTTPS and click the name of the current default browser
  4. Select the new browser you want to be the default and click OK
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for .htm and .html

Windows 10: 

  1. Click the Start button, and then type Default apps
  2. In the search results, select Default apps
  3. Under Web browser, select the browser currently listed, and then select your preferred browser 

Importing IE bookmarks to your new browser

Many of us bookmark the Internet sites we visit often. These bookmarks are saved as part of your browser settings.  When switching browsers, you can export the bookmarks from your old browser to your new one.   

Following are links to instructions for importing your bookmarks to your new browser.

Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4014944/microsoft-edge-import-favorites 

Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/import-bookmarks-internet-explorer-or-microsoft-edge 

Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/96816?hl=en 

Unmanaged and personally-owned computers

If you have an unmanaged University computer or a personally owned computer, you will need to take steps on your own to update your browser. If you would like to move to Microsoft’s Edge, be sure that you install the latest version, which is Edge Chromium.   

Following are tips for transitioning your preferred browser to Edge Chromium. 

Get Microsoft Edge 

Microsoft offers Edge Chromium on their website for download.   

Download the new Microsoft Edge 

Confirm you have the latest Edge installed

If Microsoft Edge is already installed on your computer, you should confirm that you have the most current version, which is Edge Chromium.   

To check the version for the Edge you have installed, use Microsoft’s support steps in ‘Find out which version of Microsoft Edge you have.’  

If you have version 44.x, or older, be sure to upgrade to latest version.  

Upgrade from Edge to Edge Chromium 

If you have an older or legacy version of Edge, download and follow the installation instructions provided on Microsoft’s download website for Edge. 

OIT-managed computers

If your computer is one of the University-managed computers, OIT has taken the following steps to help with the transition to Edge Chromium:  

For OIT-managed computers that are members of the Princeton domain or enrolled in Intune

Princeton Domain: 

  • Your default browser was transitioned to Edge Chromium
  • Internet Explorer ‘Favorites’ were copied over to the Edge legacy browser installed on your computer
  • Edge Chromium replaced legacy Edge
  • For existing IE users, web pages are automatically redirected to open in the Edge Chromium browser
  • Edge Chromium ‘IE Mode’ was enabled for University business applications that require IE 

Enrolled in Intune:

  • Edge Chromium ‘IE Mode’ was enabled for University business applications that require IE 

For computers managed using the Kace agent, only (not Princeton-domain members)  

  • Edge Chromium replaced legacy Edge