Internet Explorer 11
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseOctober 17, 2013; 9 years ago (2013-10-17)[1]
Stable release
11.0.1000 (11.0.19044.2364) / December 13, 2022; 3 months ago (2022-12-13)
EngineMSHTML v8.0, Chakra
Operating systemWindows 7 SP1
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
Windows Embedded 8 Standard
Windows Server 2012
PlatformIA-32, x64, and ARM
Included withWindows 8.1
Windows RT
Windows 10
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2022
PredecessorInternet Explorer 10 (2012)
SuccessorMicrosoft Edge (2015)
Size28–53 MB
LicenseProprietary, requires a Windows license[2]
Websitewww.microsoft.com/en-us/download/internet-explorer.aspx

Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) is the eleventh and final version of the Internet Explorer web browser. It was initially included in the release of Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 on October 17, 2013, and was later released for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 on November 7, 2013. It is the successor to Internet Explorer 10, released the previous year, and was the original, default browser in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2, before Microsoft Edge was introduced. Internet Explorer 11 was also included in the release of Windows 10 on July 29, 2015, as well as in Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019. On April 16, 2019, Internet Explorer 11 was made available to Windows Server 2012 and Windows Embedded 8 Standard, the only still supported edition of Windows 8 as the final expansion of Internet Explorer 11 availability.[3][4] Internet Explorer 11, like its predecessor, is not available for Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 and earlier versions of Windows and Windows Server.

On January 12, 2016, Microsoft adjusted their product lifecycle policies to only support the most recent version of Internet Explorer offered for any given version of Windows.[5] Support for Internet Explorer 11, now regarded as an "OS component", is bound to the version of the Windows it is installed on. Thus, Microsoft provides updates only to currently supported versions of Windows. This includes Windows 7 SP1 (with ESU), Windows 8.1, LTSC and LTSB editions of Windows 10, and server editions of Windows 10, among others, which will continue to receive IE11 updates until their respective end-of-support dates. The exception to this is the Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel (SAC). For SAC versions of Windows 10, Internet Explorer 11 support ended on June 15, 2022, Internet Explorer was permanently disabled on February 14, 2023 and any remaining icons or shortcuts will be removed on June 13, 2023.[6][7]

IE Mode, a feature of Microsoft Edge, enables Edge to display web pages using Internet Explorer 11's Trident layout engine and other core components.[8] Through IE Mode, the underlying technology of Internet Explorer 11 partially exists on versions of Windows that do not support IE11 as a proper application, including Windows 11, Windows Server Insider Build 22463 and Windows Server Insider Build 25110.[9] Microsoft has announced support for IE Mode through at least 2029, with a one year advance notice prior to retiring this variant of IE11.[6]

Changes

Internet Explorer 11 in Windows Server 2012
Internet Explorer 11 in Windows Server 2012

IE11 features redesigned developer tools,[10] support for WebGL,[11] enhanced scaling for high DPI screens,[12] prerender and prefetch.[13] After launch IE11 got support for HTTP/2.[14][15][16] In addition, IE11 supports Full Screen and Orientation APIs, CSS border image support, JavaScript enhancements, DOM mutation observers, Web Cryptography API, video text track support, encrypted media support and an improved HTML editor.[17] IE11 uses Transport Layer Security v1.2 as the default protocol for secure connections and deprecates RC4 cipher suite.[18]

The "document mode" feature in the developer toolset (F12) allows simulating the rendering behaviour of Internet Explorer versions 5 to 10 to facilitate testing pages for compatibility.[19]

Internet Explorer 11 for Windows RT does not support Java and other add-ons.[20]

Removed features

Added features

Performance

In a November 2013 review by SitePoint, IE11 scored better than Google Chrome 30 and Firefox 26 in WebKit's SunSpider test and Google's WebGL test. It tied with Chrome for fastest in Microsoft's "fish aquarium" benchmark for WebGL and came last in Google's V8 performance benchmark. As a result of the speed improvements, the reviewer said "if you switched to Chrome for speed alone, you're now using the wrong browser." IE11 was also observed to use less memory with multiple tabs open than contemporary versions of Chrome and Firefox.[17]

In August 2015, SitePoint again benchmarked IE11 in its review for Microsoft Edge, where Edge 12, Chrome 44 and Firefox 39 were also present. IE11 came last in Apple's JetStream test (which replaced SunSpider) and Google's Octane test (which replaces V8) but it came second in Microsoft's "fish aquarium" test, after Edge.[27]

History

Though an internal build of IE11 was leaked on March 25, 2013,[28] its first preview version was not formally released until June 2013, during the Build 2013 conference, along with the preview release of Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1.[29] On July 25, 2013, Microsoft released the developer preview of Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.[30][31]

Legend:
Old version
Older version, still maintained
Latest version
Latest preview version
Future release
History of Internet Explorer releases
Name Version Release date Works on New features
Old version, no longer maintained: Developer Preview Old version, no longer maintained: 11.0.9431.0[32] June 26, 2013[29] Windows 8.1 Preview WebGL, CSS border image, improved JavaScript performance, major update to Internet Explorer Developer Tools,[31] hardware-accelerated JPEG decoding,[33] closed captioning, HTML5 full screen,[34] HTML5 prerender, HTML5 prefetch,

Windows 8.1 only: cryptography (WebCrypto),[31] adaptive bitrate streaming (Media Source Extensions),[35] Encrypted Media Extensions,[34] SPDY v3[15]

July 25, 2013[32] Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2[31]
Old version, no longer maintained: Release Preview Old version, no longer maintained: 11.0.9600.16384[36] September 17, 2013[36] Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2[37] Performance improvements
Current stable version: Internet Explorer 11 Current stable version: 11.0.9600.20721[38] October 17, 2013 Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Embedded 8 Standard, Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 Update Versions: 11.0.285 (KB5019958)[38][39]
Current stable version: Internet Explorer 11 Current stable version: 11.0.10240.19624 July 29, 2015 Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022 Released in Windows 10. Microsoft Edge is the default browser from Microsoft in this version of Windows. Internet Explorer is set up to run websites, based on legacy HTML technologies, which are not, or improperly, supported in Microsoft Edge.
Current stable version: Internet Explorer 11 (Version 1803) Current stable version: 11.0.17134.2208 April 30, 2018 Windows 10 (Spring Creators Update) Update Version: 11.0.126 (KB4505050)
Current stable version: Internet Explorer 11 (Version 1903) Current stable version: 11.0.18362.1256 May 21, 2019 Windows 10 (May Update) Released in Windows 10 update KB4516046[40]
Current stable version: Internet Explorer 11 (Version 20H2) Current stable version: 11.0.19042.2364 October 20, 2020 Windows 10 (October 2020 Update) Released in Windows 10 update KB4586768[41]

While there were no other releases of Internet Explorer, an update for Windows 7 and 8.1 was released on April 2, 2014 which added Enterprise Mode, improved developer tools, improved support for WebGL and ECMAScript 5.1.[42]

With the release of Windows 11, Windows Server Insider Build 22463 and Windows Server Insider Build 25110,[43] Internet Explorer is no longer preinstalled on any new devices (the application that is, while its core component is due to Microsoft's integration of IE in Windows), but users can still launch Internet Explorer from the Control Panel's browser toolbar settings on or via the PowerShell. Microsoft Edge is the only preinstalled browser in the operating system. An Internet Explorer mode is however provided in Microsoft Edge to run legacy websites.[44] On February 14, 2023, Microsoft permanently disabled IE11 on the Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) as part of a Microsoft Edge update released on February 14, 2023.[45]IE11 visual references, such as the IE11 icons on the Start Menu and taskbar, will be removed from Windows 10 SAC by the June 2023 Windows security update (“B” release) scheduled for June 13, 2023.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Windows 8.1 is available now". Microsoft News Center. Microsoft. October 17, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  2. ^ "Microsoft Pre-Release Software License Terms: Internet Explorer 11 Developer Preview". microsoft.com. Microsoft. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  3. ^ "IE11 coming to Windows Embedded 8 Standard!". Microsoft. January 28, 2019. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  4. ^ Tung, Liam. "Microsoft makes final push to rid world of Internet Explorer 10". ZDNet. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  5. ^ "Support for older versions of Internet Explorer ends on January 12, 2016". Microsoft. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Lifecycle FAQ - Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge". November 3, 2021. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  7. ^ "Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ". Microsoft. June 13, 2022. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  8. ^ "What is Internet Explorer (IE) mode?". March 2, 2022. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  9. ^ Tom Warren (June 25, 2021). "Windows 11 is deleting Internet Explorer". The Verge. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "What's new in F12 Tools (Preliminary)". MSDN. Microsoft. June 26, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "WebGL (Preliminary)". MSDN. Microsoft. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  12. ^ "High DPI support (Preliminary)". MSDN. Microsoft. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  13. ^ "Prerender and prefetch support (Preliminary)". MSDN. Microsoft. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  14. ^ "HTTP/2: The Long-Awaited Sequel". IEBlog. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  15. ^ a b Lardinois, Frederic (June 26, 2013). "Microsoft Confirms IE11 Will Support Google's SPDY Protocol". TechCrunch. Aol. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  16. ^ Foley, Mary Jo (November 7, 2013), Microsoft releases for download IE11 for Windows 7, retrieved November 7, 2013
  17. ^ a b c Buckler, Craig (November 7, 2013), "Internet Explorer 11: the Review", SitePoint.com, retrieved November 7, 2013
  18. ^ Peteroy, William (November 12, 2013). "Security Advisory 2868725: Recommendation to disable RC4". Security Research & Defense. Microsoft. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  19. ^ Specifying legacy document modes, from Microsoft Docs (2015)
  20. ^ "Install Java in Internet Explorer". Windows Help. Microsoft. January 12, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  21. ^ Zakas, Nicholas C. (July 2, 2013). "Internet Explorer 11: "Don't call me IE"". NCZOnline. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  22. ^ "Ctrl+Q disappeared from IE11?, Microsoft Connect". Microsoft. July 30, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  23. ^ EricLaw [ex-MSFT] (September 24, 2013). "IE11 Changes: IEInternals blog". IEInternals. Microsoft. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  24. ^ "New group policy settings for Internet Explorer 11". Microsoft TechNet. Microsoft. April 6, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  25. ^ "HTTP Strict Transport Security comes to Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1 and Windows 7". Microsoft.
  26. ^ "Windows patch KB 3139929: When a security update is not a security update". InfoWorld. March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  27. ^ Buckler, Craig (August 18, 2015). "Microsoft Edge: the Review". SitePoint.
  28. ^ Sakr, Sharif (May 25, 2013). "Internet Explorer 11 user agent makes browser look like Firefox, thumbs nose at legacy CSS hacks". Engadget. Aol. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  29. ^ a b "Introducing IE11: The Best Way to Experience the Web on Modern Touch Devices". IEBlog. Microsoft. June 27, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  30. ^ "Internet Explorer 11 Developer Preview: FAQ". microsoft.com. Microsoft. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  31. ^ a b c d Thurrott, Paul (July 25, 2013). "Internet Explorer 11 Developer Preview for Windows 7". Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Archived from the original on July 26, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  32. ^ a b Internet Explorer 11.0.9431.0 may be downloaded from "Internet Explorer 11 Developer Preview for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2". Download Center. Microsoft. July 25, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  33. ^ Bradley, Tony (July 26, 2013). "Why Internet Explorer 11 is the right browser for business". PC World. IDG. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  34. ^ a b Brinkmann, Martin (July 25, 2013). "The Internet Explorer 11 Preview for Windows 7 is now available". Ghacks.net. ghacks Technology News. Archived from the original on July 27, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  35. ^ Williams, Mike (July 26, 2013). "Internet Explorer 11 Developer Preview now available for Windows 7". BetaNews. BetaNews, Inc. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  36. ^ a b Internet Explorer 11.0.9600.16384 may be downloaded from "Internet Explorer 11 Release Preview for Windows 7 64-bit Edition and Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit Edition". Download Center. Microsoft. September 17, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  37. ^ Thurrott, Paul (September 18, 2013). "Release Preview Version of IE 11 for Windows 7 is Now Available". Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  38. ^ a b Popa, Bogdan (November 13, 2013). "Internet Explorer 11.0.1 Released for Windows 8.1 Users". Softpedia. SoftNews. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  39. ^ "Internet Explorer 11". Softpedia. SoftNews. July 25, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  40. ^ "cumulative-security-update-for-internet-explorer". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  41. ^ "cumulative-security-update-for-internet-explorer". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  42. ^ Announcing an updated version of Internet Explorer 11 – available on Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and Windows Phone 8.1, April 3, 2014, retrieved July 27, 2014
  43. ^ Blog, Windows Insider (June 28, 2021). "Announcing the first Insider Preview for Windows 11". Windows Insider Blog. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  44. ^ Warren, Tom (June 25, 2021). "Windows 11 is deleting Internet Explorer". The Verge. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  45. ^ "Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ". Microsoft. June 13, 2022. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.

External links

Preceded byInternet Explorer 10 Internet Explorer 11 2013
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