Wednesday News Roundup – TheJournal.ie
- For many long-time computer users, Internet Explorer (IE) holds a place in digital history.
- The situation with Internet Explorer on Windows 11 is more nuanced.
- Microsoft's current strategy revolves around its Edge browser.
Table of Contents
Published August 21, 2025
The Status of Internet Explorer in 2025
For many long-time computer users, Internet Explorer (IE) holds a place in digital history. However, its current status is often a source of confusion. As of August 21, 2025, Internet Explorer is largely considered a legacy browser. While it remains a component of Windows 10, it is not actively developed and Microsoft officially ended support for most versions of IE in June 2022. Attempts to download IE as a standalone request are generally unnecessary, as it’s typically integrated into the operating system. If the desktop icon is missing, it can usually be restored through the Start Menu.
IE on Windows 11: A More Complex Picture
The situation with Internet Explorer on Windows 11 is more nuanced. Users have reported difficulties installing or running IE, sometimes encountering issues where the necessary system files (like explorer.exe) are missing. Even when installed, launching IE can result in no application opening. this is often due to the way Windows 11 is designed to prioritize Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft edge and IE Mode: The Modern Solution
Microsoft’s current strategy revolves around its Edge browser. Recognizing that many businesses and individuals still require compatibility with older websites designed for IE, Edge includes an “IE Mode.” This feature allows Edge to render web pages using the IE engine, ensuring those legacy sites function correctly. To enable IE Mode,users can adjust settings within Edge itself.
Here’s a quick guide to accessing IE Mode in Edge:
- Open Microsoft edge.
- Navigate to
edge://settings/defaultBrowser. - Under ”Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode,” toggle the setting to “On.”
- You can then specify wich sites should always open in IE Mode.
Beyond browser compatibility, many users encounter unwanted software and intrusive advertising.As of 2025, several programs are known to display unwanted ads or lock screens.These include “Small Bird Wallpaper,” 360 Total Security, Kingsoft WPS Office, and Lenovo App Choice. These programs frequently enough bundle unwanted software during installation.
To remove these annoyances:
- Check the settings within the offending software to disable the unwanted features.
- Open the Control Panel (Windows key + R,then type “control” and press Enter).
- Uninstall any suspicious or unwanted programs.