Internet Explorer Versions: Full List & How to Check

This article compares every major Internet Explorer version, from IE 1 in 1995 to IE 11 in 2013, explaining what each introduced, which Windows systems it ran on, and why Microsoft finally retired the browser in 2022. You will also learn how to check your IE version, why IE 11 was the last one, and what to use instead today.

Why Internet Explorer Versions Matter

Internet Explorer (IE) was the default web browser on Windows for nearly two decades. Its versions are not just a list of release numbers; they represent the evolution of the web itself. Early IE versions fought the “browser wars” against Netscape, IE 6 became the most-used browser in the world and then the most-criticized for security flaws, and later versions struggled to catch up with Firefox and Chrome. Understanding the version history helps explain why some old websites still break, why certain corporate systems required a specific IE, and why Microsoft ultimately replaced IE with Edge.

Complete Version History and Key Features

Here is a chronological list of every major Internet Explorer release, with its Windows compatibility and the notable feature it introduced. Note that IE versions were tied to Windows: you could not install IE 7 on Windows 95, and IE 11 would not run on Windows Vista.

• IE 1 (August 1995) – A rebranded version of Spyglass Mosaic. It was a simple HTML 2.0 browser, available as an add-on for Windows 95 via the “Internet Jumpstart Kit.” No frames, no JavaScript support.
• IE 2 (November 1995) – Added JavaScript support, cookies, and SSL security. It was the first IE version to support both Windows and Mac. This version also introduced the now-iconic blue “e” logo.
• IE 3 (August 1996) – The first major competitor to Netscape Navigator. It introduced CSS support (partially), ActiveX controls, and the “favorites” star icon. This version was bundled with Windows 95 OSR2, marking the start of IE’s dominance.
• IE 4 (September 1997) – Introduced the “browser as part of the OS” concept, with the Active Desktop. It brought Dynamic HTML (DHTML) and better CSS. This version triggered the United States v. Microsoft antitrust case over bundling.
• IE 5 (March 1999) – Added XMLHttpRequest (the foundation of AJAX), which later enabled Gmail and Google Maps. It also introduced bi-directional text and better CSS support. This was the last IE version to support Windows 3.1x.
• IE 6 (August 2001) – Bundled with Windows XP. It was the most widely used browser in history, peaking at over 90% market share in 2003. However, it had severe security flaws and no automatic updates, leading to years of malware problems. It also introduced “P3P” privacy settings and a new “media bar.”
• IE 7 (October 2006) – Released with Windows Vista, and also available for Windows XP. It added tabbed browsing, a phishing filter, and better CSS 2.1 support. This was the first IE version to be discontinued on older Windows versions (Windows 2000 was dropped).
• IE 8 (March 2009) – The first IE to pass the Acid2 test, a web standards compliance check. It introduced “InPrivate Browsing” (incognito mode), accelerators, and Web Slices. It was the last IE version to support Windows XP.
• IE 9 (March 2011) – Dropped Windows XP support. It added hardware-accelerated graphics (GPU rendering), a simpler interface, and better HTML5 support. It was the first IE to support the “Do Not Track” header.
• IE 10 (October 2012) – Exclusive to Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. It added support for CSS3 gradients, flexbox, and WebSocket. It also introduced a “Metro” touch-optimized version that ran alongside the desktop version.
• IE 11 (October 2013) – The final version. It came with Windows 8.1 and was later backported to Windows 7. It added WebGL, SPDY protocol, and better developer tools. It also supported “Enterprise Mode” for legacy sites. Microsoft announced in 2016 that IE 11 would be the last version, and it was retired on June 15, 2022, on most Windows 10 editions.

How to Check Which Internet Explorer Version You Have

If you still have an old Windows machine with IE, here is how to find the version number:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner (or press Alt+X).
3. Select “About Internet Explorer.”
4. A dialog box will appear showing the version number (e.g., “11.0.220.0”) and the update version. The first number is the major version.

Alternatively, you can type javascript:alert(navigator.appVersion) in the address bar and press Enter. A pop-up will show a string like “5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; Trident/7.0; rv:11.0) like Gecko” – the “rv:11.0” part is the IE version.

Common Problems with Older IE Versions

Each IE version had its own quirks, but several issues were widespread:

• IE 6’s “hasLayout” bug – This caused countless CSS layout problems, such as disappearing backgrounds and double margins. Web developers had to write special “hacks” to make sites work in IE 6.
• IE 7’s “overflow” issues – It did not fully support the overflow-x and overflow-y CSS properties, causing horizontal scrollbars on many sites.
• IE 8’s “compatibility mode” – It rendered pages in an older IE 7 mode by default for intranet sites, leading to inconsistencies.
• IE 9 and 10’s limited HTML5 – They lacked support for modern features like flexbox (IE 10 had a broken prefix version), CSS Grid, and many JavaScript APIs.
• All versions had security vulnerabilities – IE was the most-targeted browser for malware, particularly IE 6 and IE 7, because of ActiveX controls and lack of sandboxing.

IE vs. Modern Browsers: Why It Was Retired

By the mid-2010s, IE had fallen far behind Chrome, Firefox, and Safari in speed, standards support, and security. Microsoft’s own telemetry showed that most enterprise users were using IE only for legacy web apps that required ActiveX or specific quirks. The company built Microsoft Edge (first released in 2015) as a new browser with a modern engine (EdgeHTML, later replaced with Chromium in 2020). Microsoft officially ended support for IE 11 on June 15, 2022, on Windows 10, except for certain Windows Server and LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) editions, which get extended support. The retirement meant no more security updates, making IE very risky to use.

How to Choose the Right IE Version (or Not Use It)

You should never install an old IE version on a modern Windows system – they are incompatible and unsafe. The only reason to use IE today is to access legacy enterprise web applications that require ActiveX controls or specific IE rendering engines. In that case:

• Use IE 11 (the last version) on Windows 10 or Windows 7 (if you still have it).
• Enable “Enterprise Mode” in IE 11, which lets you set a compatibility list that automatically switches to older document modes.
• Alternatively, use Microsoft Edge with “IE mode,” which uses the IE 11 engine inside Edge. This is the officially recommended path, as Edge receives security updates.
• Do not download “standalone” IE versions from third-party sites – they are often bundled with malware and are not supported.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the last version of Internet Explorer?

Internet Explorer 11 was the final version, released in October 2013. Microsoft announced in 2016 that it would not create any more versions, and support ended on June 15, 2022, for most Windows 10 editions.

Can I still use Internet Explorer on Windows 11?

No. Windows 11 does not include Internet Explorer. However, Microsoft Edge includes “IE mode,” which uses the IE 11 engine to render legacy sites. You can enable it in Edge’s settings under “Default browser.”

Why did IE 6 have so many security problems?

IE 6 was designed before modern security practices like sandboxing and automatic updates. It also had deep integration with the Windows operating system, which meant that any browser vulnerability could give attackers system-level access. Microsoft did not release a major update for IE 6 for over five years, allowing malware to flourish.

Which IE version is best for old Windows XP?

IE 8 is the highest version that supports Windows XP. It was released in 2009 and received security updates until April 2014, when Windows XP itself was end-of-life. Using IE 8 today is extremely risky because there are unpatched vulnerabilities.

How do I force a website to open in IE mode in Edge?

In Microsoft Edge, go to Settings > Default browser. Under “Internet Explorer compatibility,” choose “Incompatible sites only” or “Always.” Then, when you visit a site that needs IE, click the three-dot menu and select “Reload in Internet Explorer mode.” You can also add sites to a permanent list.

Did Internet Explorer ever support Chrome extensions?

No. Internet Explorer used its own extension system based on ActiveX and Browser Helper Objects (BHOs). It never supported Chrome or Firefox extensions. Microsoft Edge (the Chromium version) supports Chrome extensions, which is one reason Edge replaced IE.

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