At the beginning of the year we saw Microsoft bid adieu to Windows 7, as the operating system reached an end of support status. Much has happened between now and January, but Microsoft is not done culling some of its other pieces of software as the firm recently outlined an end of support roadmap for Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) and Edge Legacy browsers.

As such, it looks like the transition to make Microsoft Edge to go-to browser on all Windows 10 devices is coming full circle.

Microsoft explains that by this time next year, both Internet Explorer 11 and Edge Legacy will not be available to users.

Starting with the former, its end of support status begins on 30th November, with the Microsoft Teams web app no longer working with IE 11. This will be followed quite a few months down the line on 17th August next year, with all remaining Microsoft 365 apps removing support for the browser.

“For degraded experiences, new Microsoft 365 features will not be available or certain features may cease to work when accessing the app or service via IE 11. While we know this change will be difficult for some customers, we believe that customers will get the most out of Microsoft 365 when using the new Microsoft Edge. We are committed to helping make this transition as smooth as possible,” notes Microsoft regarding the decision.

Shifting to Edge Legacy, which only began life two years ago as an experimental browser used to refine the user experience and ultimately lead to the rollout of Microsoft Edge, its end of support will take effect as of 9th March 2021.

This process comes as Microsoft has helped upgrade or port most of its Windows 10 users over to the new version of Edge.

“The new Microsoft Edge is our best expression of a modern browser—we’re excited for customers to experience it. Apps and sites created for Microsoft Edge Legacy will continue to work in the new Microsoft Edge, but if a compatibility issue does arise, we have our App Assure promise to provide support,” the company adds.

With Surface devices now landing in South Africa, it looks like new Windows 10 users will be getting the browser and overall system experience that Microsoft has been touting for quite some time now.

If you have not made the transition to Microsoft Edge yet, it may be the time to start doing so.