Summary Digital Access & Technological Continuity Advocates
This Microsoft blog post announces the transition from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge, advocating strongly for universal digital access, cybersecurity, and inclusive participation in technological progress. The content demonstrates positive engagement with UDHR Articles 19 (freedom of information), 27 (technological progress), 23 (work rights), and 26 (education) through explicit commitments to backwards-compatible access, universal web participation, worker productivity support, and educational resources. However, a significant structural contradiction exists in Article 12 (privacy): while the editorial content explicitly promotes privacy protection features, the page implements Google Tag Manager tracking infrastructure, creating tension between stated privacy advocacy and actual data collection practices.
That's a real end of an era. Internet Explorer's legacy engine is going to be relegated to old grayhair horror stories. Not unhappy it's going away, but it feels like a big chapter is closing.
I work on a SaaS app in the healthcare space where IE11 is the preferred browser, and was getting worried watching all of our favorite tools begin to completely drop IE11 support (Tailwinds, Bootstrap) - effectively punishing us for the sins our customers IT orgs.
This brings me hope. But only a little. I’m sure they’ll find a way to keep running it.
By moving to Microsoft Edge, you get everything described above plus you’ll be able to extend the life of your legacy websites and apps well beyond the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application retirement date using IE mode. Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge will be supported through at least 2029.
While IE11 as an independent program is going away, the rendering engine is still around for 8+y.
Here's hoping that this deprecation removes the expectation that things support IE11, however!
I hope someone finds a way to use its interface with a better rendering engine, which I think is the best part of IE - no infantile HUGE buttons, patronising error messages, or other dumbed-down things, just a serious UI with good ideas like per-zone trust security settings and user stylesheets built-in. It also doesn't have gobs of phone-home "telemetry".
(Firefox is a close second but is clearly starting to become user-hostile too... and now you may realise much of why they want to kill IE and dumb down Firefox: herding users is easier when they're turned into obedient and docile consumers, instead of masters over how they decide to consume your content.)
Do we expect legacy TLS versions to remain supported under Edge’s compatibility mode? I note MS deferred the end-of-support in IE11 for TLS 1.0/1.1 last year and haven’t announced a new end date.
There was a time when I was really good in fixing bugs in IE6. This made me go to school because I realized no matter what happens, IE will eventually die and my skills will be useless. So, final goodbye, although I haven't thought about you much in the last years.
I am just waiting to hear back from a customer on a support ticket request where functionality in my app is not working as expected.
They sent me a screenshot of what should be a form in a modal but the modal has failed to load so it has loaded just the form in a new page looking pretty unstyled. The JS for the modal uses fetch() so possibly why it broke.
I'm 95% sure that the browser in the screenshot is IE10. I pointed them to this announcement if only to make them aware of the security risks in running IE10 but it beggars belief that anyone would choose to run IE10, individual or enterprise.
People talking about certain spaces (eg healthcare) where Citrix on windows server is the norm are going to support ie11 for the lifespan of windows 2019. So don't pop the cork just yet..
> Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will be retired ... on ...
Woo. And, indeed, hoo.
> for certain versions of Windows 10
Ah. And there begineth the weasle words. I'm guessing there will be significant organisations in finance/wealth management (our general area) and other industries that will still demand IE11 support for some time after that date.
I think first a combination of our move towards "more smaller clients, not being beholden to a few large ones", the reducing budgets if those big clients, and the fact the others are more up-to-date, will mean we'll be able to say "Support IE11 or will go elsewhere? OK then, see you around." long before IE11 really exits the industry. Whether the company will have the balls to go through with that, is something I'll find out in future, but I'm allowing myself a little hope.
I'm currently enjoying nostalgia as I'm currently using IE for a full on ActiveX app which has no use the loose obtuse constructs of the HTML.
Much live a headcrab, the ActiveX takes over the the full device context and reaches deep into the OS. I CAN pulp my own WM messages thank you very much Mr browser ... Brakes my alt tab from time to time, can't grab focus from a miss Z'd dialog. Yes... Nostalgia
Nostalgia
Nostalgia
The one thing I regret about this is that IE11 was stable. By 'stable' I don't mean 'not crashing', but rather stable as in 'fixed feature set'.
These days, sites and apps that support FireFox/Chrome tend to test only on latest versions. Which come out frequently and can and do break things. Supporting IE11 means it works in IE11. Supporting FF/Chrome means it mostly works in the latest tested version.
If devs were more aware of Firefox ESR version and tested against it, we could have more stability again.
It sorta did through Windows/Microsoft update. They just didn't focus on releasing major editions often or at all for Windows, but it got security patches and minor point releases all the time.
It's kinda weird to see Edge having its own auto-update system on Windows. (Which of course has a system-wide auto-update system called Windows Update.)
>in the healthcare space where IE11 is the preferred browser
Do you know why that is?
I noticed that there are prominent links to a Korean and Japanese version, presumably because Internet Explorer is still used to a large extend in those two countries. Korea had some crypto stuff that only worked in IE, but that was years ago. Why haven't those markets moved on more modern browsers?
I am genuinely curious, what do you think is the end game of this apparent conspiracy by browser creators to reduce the intelligence of users through simplified user interfaces? They will convince them to buy more things... somehow? And that benefits the browser creators... somehow?
The real shame of IE's passing is that we'll forget the lessons we learned and therefore repeat that particular disaster. It's already happening. I'd be happy to relegate the nightmare of IE to old war stories... except the same thing is happening today! Different method, nearly the same end result.
We nearly lost the damn open web to the horror of IE6 and the peak "embrace, extend, extinguish" version of Microsoft.
Now, of course, we're happily creating another browser monoculture and handing the web over to Google. This time, we're doing it with a smile instead of a grimace.
Unlike IE6's reign of incompetent terror, Chrome is actually a competent browser. Techies are embracing the takeover instead of fighting it. It's guaranteed to succeed.
Only hope is more and more services actually having the balls to drop IE11, e.g. Office 365.
Imagine Google would not support IE11, I'm sure the pressure to upgrade these browser would be much higher (not sure about the health care space though)
To be fair, this has been on the cards for the last couple of years - should be no surprise to anyone.
Also, if there's a genuine need to keep IE around for longer, then you have some options, e.g. deploy Win 10 LTSC for specific legacy use-cases, or publish IE11 via Citrix.
Not accusing you of this, but the primary reason people run outdated software is a really problematic insistence, mostly by front-end people, on using the new-and-shiny instead of the tried-and-true. Breaking changes galore - so people stick with the past as much as possible.
Example: Office 365 OWA doesn't work well on modern browsers other than the latest version of Edge on Windows. But it does work fine on browsers that are older or pretend to be older! I'm technical enough to spoof my user agent, but Mom & Pop are just going to say "I don't like the new one, it broke stuff" and that will be that.
We relaunched a 12 year old SaaS app last month and dropped IE support. It was the most wonderful feeling to remove support for that dumpster fire out of the repos.
Do you know if there's a way to see that XML list they mention anywhere publically? I can't find a link to it on that page.
I guess it should be possible to spin up IE11 in a VM on macOS and inspect the network, but would be nice to take a look and see which sites are on there.
When Outlook becomes a PWA (currently in test, I think it's probably two-three years from stable), it'll be rendering mail with all the functionality of Blink. Which depending on your point of view, means a sigh of relief or time to buy more RAM.
Going a bit further back, IE 5 and 6 were the best browser by far. Strange for me to think that my now-beloved Firefox has its heritage embedded in Netscape, which at the same time as IE5 was an absolute pig.
- ed
for some reason I have it in mind as IE5.5 specifically that was The Great IE.
This is what I love about Microsoft. While Google is eager to go ahead and cancel Google Cloud Print and say "find an alternative before next month", Microsoft would be the company to announce it'll be cancelled in 2023, extended support lasts until 2029, and you can buy Extended Warranty 365+ for Business that lasts until 2067.
Reality is much simpler - as mentioned directly below that section "Note: This retirement does not affect in-market Windows 10 LTSC or Server Internet Explorer 11 desktop applications." and those version already have precommitted support lifecycles that extend well past this date. Nobody needs to ask/push for an extension, that's what those versions exist for and support is already committed to nearly 2030.
We have a critical 3rd party business app that absolutely requires IE11 (actually it requires IE11 to be in compatibility mode for IE5 or something). We currently use Internet Explorer only for this app and I think we will welcome the change to IE11 mode in Edge.
Luckily it only to last another year or so before we replace this product. Some people don't understand the cost and effort required to replace some of these older but hugely important legacy products.
Auto-update was never important or even desired on GNU/Linux distros world. A simple apt-get update/upgrade always felt much better than having each app implementing their own failure prone update mechanism. It is a good thing that the competition chose to mimic this feature. It is way more convenient.
My first browser was telnet (1992ish) From 1993 onwards it was all a bit weird in internets land.
For me the golden time for wwwbly_internets was around 2000-5 or so. /. was still (just) worth reading, FB was still a bulge in MZ's trousers. Google was cool, Amazon was clever, Apple was cool. The www was still interesting - US frontier like.
I am of course joking. Today's www is not the same as that in say 2000. Google is not cool, Apple is not cool, Facebook is unpleasant, Amazon is not cool and quite odd.
Editorial Channel
What the content says
+0.50
Article 27Cultural Participation
High Advocacy Practice
Editorial
+0.50
SETL
+0.27
CORE ENGAGEMENT. Content strongly advocates for technological progress and universal participation in scientific/technical advancement. Explicit framing: 'With Microsoft Edge, we provide a path to the web's future' and 'Microsoft Edge is built on the Chromium project – the technology that powers many of today's browsers – which means it delivers world-class support for modern sites.' Emphasizes 'dual engine advantage,' modern web standards, and technological innovation. States commitment to enabling participation in technological progress across all users.
FW Ratio: 50%
Observable Facts
Page states: 'With Microsoft Edge, we provide a path to the web's future while still respecting the web's past.'
Content emphasizes: 'Microsoft Edge is built on the Chromium project – the technology that powers many of today's browsers – which means it delivers world-class support for modern sites.'
Page offers: 'Configure IE mode tool,' free guides, and documentation to support technological transition.
Inferences
Explicit commitment to 'path to the web's future' demonstrates strong advocacy for participation in technological progress.
Reference to Chromium project and modern web standards shows engagement with broader scientific/technical ecosystem.
Provision of free tools and resources makes technological advancement participation universally accessible.
+0.45
Article 19Freedom of Expression
High Advocacy Framing Practice
Editorial
+0.45
SETL
+0.15
CORE ENGAGEMENT. Content strongly advocates for universal access to information and freedom to access web content. Explicit framing: 'we are announcing that the future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 is in Microsoft Edge' with IE mode enabling access to 'legacy Internet Explorer-based websites and applications.' Central thesis: 'With Microsoft Edge, we provide a path to the web's future while still respecting the web's past.' Ensures no users are excluded from information access.
FW Ratio: 50%
Observable Facts
Page states: 'With Microsoft Edge, we provide a path to the web's future while still respecting the web's past. Change was necessary, but we didn't want to leave reliable, still-functioning websites and applications behind.'
Content emphasizes: 'Microsoft Edge has Internet Explorer mode ("IE mode") built in, so you can access those legacy Internet Explorer-based websites and applications straight from Microsoft Edge.'
Page provides public access with no login barriers and mentions multi-language support.
Inferences
Explicit commitment to universal access (not leaving sites/users behind) demonstrates strong advocacy for Article 19.
IE mode as backwards-compatibility feature ensures information access for all users regardless of legacy system dependencies.
Public accessibility structure enables freedom of information access across all demographics.
+0.35
Article 3Life, Liberty, Security
High Advocacy
Editorial
+0.35
SETL
+0.13
Content extensively advocates for browser security as a core human safety concern. Explicitly states: 'Roughly 579 password attacks are attempted every second—you need a browser that's up to this challenge.' Discusses Password Monitor, SmartScreen protection, and dark web credential scanning as security measures addressing personal safety.
FW Ratio: 60%
Observable Facts
Page states: 'Password Monitor, which scans the dark web to identify if your personal credentials have been compromised.'
Page claims: 'Microsoft Edge offers the highest-rated protection against both phishing attacks and malware on Windows 10.'
Page emphasizes rapid security response: 'Microsoft Edge can issue security patches for immediate vulnerabilities within days, if not hours.'
Inferences
Extensive focus on security threats and protective features demonstrates advocacy for personal safety as core user right.
Emphasis on rapid vulnerability response indicates commitment to ongoing security infrastructure maintenance.
+0.30
Article 12Privacy
High Framing Practice
Editorial
+0.30
SETL
+0.48
Content explicitly advocates for privacy protection and personal data security. Discusses 'Password Monitor, which scans the dark web to identify if your personal credentials have been compromised' and emphasizes protection against phishing and credential theft as core browser features.
Content states: 'Password Monitor, which scans the dark web to identify if your personal credentials have been compromised.'
Content asserts: 'Microsoft Edge is more secure than Chrome for businesses on Windows 10.'
Inferences
Explicit privacy feature advocacy (dark web monitoring, credential protection) demonstrates editorial commitment to Article 12.
Simultaneous implementation of GTM tracking infrastructure creates structural contradiction: advocates privacy while employing third-party tracking.
This SETL tension (Editorial positive / Structural negative) indicates misalignment between stated values and technical practice.
+0.25
Article 23Work & Equal Pay
Medium Framing Practice
Editorial
+0.25
SETL
+0.11
Content frames technological transition as beneficial to workers and work conditions. Discusses 'streamlined productivity,' enabling workers to use a single browser for multiple tasks, reducing cognitive burden. Addresses enterprises and organizational workers specifically: 'enterprises have 1,678 legacy apps on average' and provides support for orderly transition. Recognizes work-related technology needs.
FW Ratio: 50%
Observable Facts
Page states: 'Having to use different browsers for different tasks can be frustrating...That's where Microsoft Edge comes in.'
Content provides: 'FastTrack and App Assure who can help you with deployment as well as website and application compatibility.'
Page includes organizational case study: 'how GlaxoSmithKline rolled out Microsoft Edge with Internet Explorer mode in their organization of 130,000 employees globally.'
Inferences
Productivity framing suggests recognition of workers' right to appropriate tools and conditions.
Enterprise support resources demonstrate structural commitment to supporting worker transitions.
Case study of large organizational rollout signals acknowledgment of systemic work environment impacts.
+0.20
Article 2Non-Discrimination
Medium Framing Practice
Editorial
+0.20
SETL
0.00
Content explicitly supports non-discriminatory access: 'respecting the web's past' ensures no users are left behind. Multi-language acknowledgment ('For our readers in Japan and Korea') demonstrates non-discriminatory approach to information access.
FW Ratio: 60%
Observable Facts
Page includes statement: 'For our readers in Japan and Korea, please use these links' with translations offered.
Content is publicly accessible without login or geographic restrictions.
Accessibility features present (semantic HTML, responsive design noted in DCP).
Inferences
Multi-language provision demonstrates commitment to non-discriminatory information access across language communities.
Public accessibility without barriers reflects structural non-discrimination practice.
+0.20
Article 26Education
Medium Framing Practice
Editorial
+0.20
SETL
-0.11
Content provides educational framing about browser technology, features, and transition process. Explains web standards, Chromium project, ActiveX controls, and modern web capabilities in accessible language, supporting user education about technology.
FW Ratio: 50%
Observable Facts
Page offers: 'instructional videos and links to no-cost support like FastTrack and App Assure'
Content provides: 'For a full list of what is in scope for this announcement, and for other technical questions, please see our FAQ.'
Page includes detailed explanations of technical features: ActiveX controls, Chromium project, IE mode functionality.
Inferences
Provision of guides, videos, and documentation demonstrates structural commitment to educational access.
Explanation of technical concepts in accessible language supports user education in technology.
Content explicitly acknowledges Internet Explorer's historical role and shows respect for legacy systems: 'We can't thank everyone enough for supporting Internet Explorer over the years.' Frames transition as respectful: 'respecting the web's past' while moving to the future.
FW Ratio: 50%
Observable Facts
Page states: 'Many people and organizations around the world have depended on IE to support them as they've learned, grown and conducted business online.'
Page acknowledges: 'We're here to help you transition' rather than mandating immediate change.
Inferences
Framing of transition as respectful suggests implicit commitment to human dignity in discontinuing legacy systems.
Recognition of historical role suggests awareness of societal impact of technology decisions.
+0.10
Article 1Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood
Medium Framing
Editorial
+0.10
SETL
+0.07
Content addresses consumers, enterprises, and developers with inclusive language treating all stakeholder groups as equally important recipients of the transition message.
FW Ratio: 50%
Observable Facts
Page provides separate guidance: 'If you're a consumer...', 'If you're an organization...', 'If you're a web developer...'
All user groups receive actionable support rather than dismissal.
Inferences
Inclusive address to multiple stakeholder groups suggests commitment to equal respect across constituencies.
Resource provision to all groups reflects structural commitment to equal dignity.
Page implements third-party privacy opt-out iframe and Google Tag Manager tracking. Observable privacy controls present but tracking infrastructure is extensive.
Terms of Service
—
No Terms of Service content visible on page.
Identity & Mission
Mission
+0.05
Article 27
Microsoft corporate blog focused on product updates. Mission of information sharing to technical community implicit but not explicitly stated on page.
Editorial Code
—
No editorial code or ethics policy visible on page.
Ownership
0.00
Ownership clear (Microsoft). No modifier applied as this is neutral identification.
Access & Distribution
Access Model
+0.10
Article 19 Article 27
Public access to blog content. No paywall or registration visible. Supports universal access to information.
Ad/Tracking
-0.15
Article 12
Google Tag Manager (GTM-MLSXDLQ) integrated for advertising and behavior tracking. Third-party cookie infrastructure observable.
Accessibility
+0.10
Article 2 Article 26
Page includes semantic HTML (iframe ariaLabel), CSS layout systems for responsive design. No explicit accessibility statement visible.
+0.40
Article 19Freedom of Expression
High Advocacy Framing Practice
Structural
+0.40
Context Modifier
ND
SETL
+0.15
Page structurally enables information freedom: public access without paywall or registration, multi-language support, resource links provided. Provides pathways for all stakeholders (consumers, enterprises, developers) to access web content without barriers.
+0.35
Article 27Cultural Participation
High Advocacy Practice
Structural
+0.35
Context Modifier
ND
SETL
+0.27
Page structurally enables technological progress participation: provides free tools ('Configure IE mode tool'), free guides, support resources, and documentation to enable broad adoption of modern web standards. Makes technological advancement benefits accessible to consumers, enterprises, and developers.
+0.30
Article 3Life, Liberty, Security
High Advocacy
Structural
+0.30
Context Modifier
ND
SETL
+0.13
Page articulates specific security infrastructure: 'highest-rated protection against both phishing attacks and malware on Windows 10' and demonstrates structural commitment to security features.
+0.25
Article 26Education
Medium Framing Practice
Structural
+0.25
Context Modifier
ND
SETL
-0.11
Page structurally supports educational access: provides guides ('Getting Started guide'), instructional videos, documentation, and links to educational resources. FAQ available for additional learning.
+0.20
Article 2Non-Discrimination
Medium Framing Practice
Structural
+0.20
Context Modifier
ND
SETL
0.00
Page implements multi-language support (Korean and Japanese translations mentioned). Accessible public content with no registration barriers ensures non-discriminatory access.
+0.20
Article 23Work & Equal Pay
Medium Framing Practice
Structural
+0.20
Context Modifier
ND
SETL
+0.11
Page structurally supports worker transition through resources: FastTrack, App Assure, cost-benefit analysis tools, Getting Started guides, and case studies (GlaxoSmithKline example with 130,000 employees). Demonstrates structural commitment to supporting workers through technological change.
+0.05
Article 1Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood
Medium Framing
Structural
+0.05
Context Modifier
ND
SETL
+0.07
Site provides differentiated resource pathways for consumers, enterprises, and developers, structurally acknowledging distinct stakeholder groups without hierarchy.
0.00
PreamblePreamble
Medium Framing
Structural
0.00
Context Modifier
ND
SETL
+0.15
Page structure provides historical context and acknowledgment of stakeholder concerns without coercive presentation. Offers transition guidance that respects user agency.
-0.35
Article 12Privacy
High Framing Practice
Structural
-0.35
Context Modifier
ND
SETL
+0.48
CONTRADICTION OBSERVED: Page implements Google Tag Manager (GTM-MLSXDLQ) for third-party tracking and analytics infrastructure. While editorial content promotes privacy, structural practice includes surveillance tracking, creating tension between stated and demonstrated privacy commitment.
ND
Article 4No Slavery
ND
Article 5No Torture
ND
Article 6Legal Personhood
ND
Article 7Equality Before Law
ND
Article 8Right to Remedy
ND
Article 9No Arbitrary Detention
ND
Article 10Fair Hearing
ND
Article 11Presumption of Innocence
ND
Article 13Freedom of Movement
ND
Article 14Asylum
ND
Article 15Nationality
ND
Article 16Marriage & Family
ND
Article 17Property
ND
Article 18Freedom of Thought
ND
Article 20Assembly & Association
ND
Article 21Political Participation
ND
Article 22Social Security
ND
Article 24Rest & Leisure
ND
Article 25Standard of Living
ND
Article 28Social & International Order
ND
Article 29Duties to Community
ND
Article 30No Destruction of Rights
Supplementary Signals
How this content communicates, beyond directional lean. Learn more
Page claims 'Roughly 579 password attacks are attempted every second' without source or context for this statistic.
appeal to fear
Extensive discussion of security threats (phishing, malware, password attacks, credential compromise) designed to motivate browser switching through security concerns.
loaded language
Terms like 'highest-rated protection,' 'world-class support,' 'faster, more secure and more modern' used without quantification or comparison.
bandwagon
GlaxoSmithKline case study ('130,000 employees globally have made Microsoft Edge their default browser') used to suggest organizational legitimacy.
build 9b8f263+krse · deployed 2026-02-28 17:03 UTC · evaluated 2026-02-28 16:29:11 UTC
Support HN HRCB
Each evaluation uses real API credits. HN HRCB runs on donations — no ads, no paywalls.
If you find it useful, please consider helping keep it running.