Microsoft has announced that it will replace Internet Explorer with the new version of Edge on most Windows 10 PCs. The change is set to be automatic, and users will not be able to reinstall Internet Explorer once it is removed.

This move is part of Microsoft’s efforts to phase out Internet Explorer, which has been widely criticized for its lack of modern web standards support and security vulnerabilities. By replacing it with the new version of Edge, Microsoft hopes to provide users with a more modern, secure, and reliable browsing experience.

This article will look closely at Microsoft’s plan to replace Internet Explorer with the new version of Edge on most Windows 10 PCs and what it means for users.

What is the New Version of Edge?

The new version of Edge is a web browser developed by Microsoft based on the Chromium open-source browser engine, the same engine that powers Google Chrome. It was released in January 2020 as a replacement for the old version of Edge, which was based on a different machine.

The new version of Edge offers several advantages over the old version, including better performance, improved security, and compatibility with websites and extensions. It also includes a number of features that are not available in Internet Explorer, such as support for progressive web apps, 4K streaming, and tracking prevention.

Why is Microsoft Replacing Internet Explorer with New Edge?

There are several reasons why Microsoft has decided to replace Internet Explorer with the new version of Edge on most Windows 10 PCs. Here are some of the key factors:

1. Lack of modern web standards supports: Internet Explorer was designed in a different era of the web and only partially supports modern web standards. This means that some websites and web applications may need to be fixed in Internet Explorer or require developers to create workarounds specifically for Internet Explorer. By replacing it with the new version of Edge, Microsoft hopes to provide better support for modern web standards and reduce the burden on developers.
2. Security vulnerabilities: Internet Explorer has been criticized for its security vulnerabilities, which have made it a popular target for hackers and malware. By replacing it with the new version of Edge, which includes a number of security features such as sandboxing and tracking prevention, Microsoft hopes to provide a more secure browsing experience for users.
3. Improved performance: The new version of Edge is designed to be faster and more efficient than the old version, thanks to its use of the Chromium engine. This means that web pages and applications should load faster in the new version of Edge than in Internet Explorer.
4. User feedback: Microsoft has received a lot of feedback from users over the years about the shortcomings of Internet Explorer, and many users have already switched to alternative browsers such as Chrome or Firefox. By replacing it with the new version of Edge, Microsoft hopes to provide a better browsing experience for users and regain their trust.

What Does This Mean for Users?

For most Windows 10 users, the change will be automatic, and they will not be able to reinstall Internet Explorer once it is removed. Instead, they will have the new version of Edge as their default browser.

Microsoft will provide an Internet Explorer mode in the new version of Edge for users who still rely on Internet Explorer for specific legacy applications or websites. This mode will allow users to access legacy web content that requires Internet Explorer-specific functionality while still providing the security and modern browsing experience of the new version of Edge.

Users who prefer to use a different browser, such as Chrome or Firefox, can still do so by downloading and installing their preferred browser. However, it’s important to note that the new version of Edge is now more compatible with most websites and web applications than the old version of Edge and Internet Explorer.

For users who have already switched to the new version of Edge or another browser, the change will not impact their browsing experience. They will continue to use their preferred browser as they have been.

The change is likely a positive one for most Windows 10 users. The new version of Edge offers better performance, improved security, and better support for modern web standards, which should provide a better browsing experience overall. It also means that developers will have an easier time building web applications that work across all browsers without making specific workarounds for Internet Explorer.

However, some users may resist the change, especially those who still rely on Internet Explorer for specific legacy applications or websites. For these users, Microsoft’s decision to include an Internet Explorer mode in the new version of Edge is a welcome compromise, allowing them to continue to use Internet Explorer when needed without sacrificing the security and performance benefits of the latest version of Edge.

How to Switch to the New Version of Edge

Switching to the new version of Edge for users still using Internet Explorer or the old version of Edge is easy. Here’s how to do it:

1. Download the new version of Edge from the Microsoft website or the Windows Store.
2. Install the new version of Edge on your computer.
3. Once the new version of Edge is installed, it will automatically become your default browser, replacing Internet Explorer and the old version of Edge.
4. If you prefer to use a different browser, such as Chrome or Firefox, you can still download and install your preferred browser and set it as your default browser instead.

Microsoft’s decision to automatically replace Internet Explorer with the new version of Edge on most Windows 10 PCs is a positive move for users. The latest version of Edge offers better performance, improved security, and better support for modern web standards, which should provide a better browsing experience overall.

Microsoft’s decision to include an Internet Explorer mode in the new version of Edge is a welcome compromise for users who still rely on Internet Explorer for specific legacy applications or websites. This allows them to continue to use Internet Explorer when needed without sacrificing the security and performance benefits of the new version of Edge.

Overall, the change is a step in the right direction for Microsoft and should help to improve the browsing experience for most Windows 10 users.