How to Update Microsoft Internet Explorer

This wikiHow teaches you how to update your Microsoft Internet Explorer browser. Microsoft has discontinued support for Internet Explorer ending with Internet Explorer 11 and cannot be upgraded past version 11. Internet Explorer 11 is only available for Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and is included in Windows 10 even though the Microsoft Edge browser is the default browser in Windows 10.


Image titled File_cabinent.png

This article has been marked as historical.


Internet Explorer was retired by Microsoft in June 2022. You may be interested in How to Install Microsoft Edge instead. (Posted 2022-07-17).


Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Upgrading to Internet Explorer 11

  1. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 1
    1
    Go to the Internet Explorer 11 download page at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/18520/download-internet-explorer-11-offline-installer. In a web browser, go to Microsoft's Internet Explorer 11 download page.
  2. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 2
    2
    Scroll down to your preferred language. You'll see a list of languages on the left side of the page.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 3
    3
    Click your operating system. You'll see your computer's operating system to the right of your selected language. Clicking this link will prompt the setup file to begin downloading to your PC.
    • The Windows 7 setup file will work on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 as long as you choose the correct format of your version of Windows, 32-bit or 64-bit.
    • If you don't know your computer's bit number (e.g., 32-bit or 64-bit), you can view it by right-clicking This PC, clicking Properties, and looking for the bit number to the right of "System type".
  4. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 4
    4
    Double-click the Internet Explorer setup icon. It's most likely on your desktop.
  5. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 5
    5
    Click Yes when prompted. Doing so will take you to the Internet Explorer 11 installation window.
  6. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 6
    6
    Follow the on-screen instructions. This will consist of agreeing to Microsoft's terms of use by clicking I agree and then clicking Next, as well as selecting an install location and determining whether or not you want a desktop shortcut.
  7. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 7
    7
    Click Finish. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so will finish the Internet Explorer 11 installation process.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Enabling Updates in Internet Explorer 10

  1. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 8
    1
    Open Internet Explorer. It's a blue "e" icon. You can find it by typing "Internet Explorer" into Start.
  2. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 9
    2
    Click ⚙️. This icon is in the top-right corner of the Internet Explorer window.
  3. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 10
    3
    Click About Internet Explorer. It's toward the bottom of the drop-down menu.
  4. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 11
    4
    Check the "Install new versions automatically" box. It's in the middle of the About Internet Explorer window.
  5. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 12
    5
    Click Close. It's at the bottom of the About Internet Explorer window. Internet Explorer will update automatically from this point on.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Updating Microsoft Edge

  1. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 13
    1
    Close Microsoft Edge if it's open. If an update for Edge is available, Edge will need to be closed in order for the process to complete.
  2. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 14
    2
    Open Start. To do so, either click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen or press the ⊞ Win key.
  3. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 15
    3
    Click ⚙️. It's in the lower-left corner of the Start window. Doing so will open the Settings page.
  4. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 16
    4
    Click Update & security. You'll see this option near the bottom of the Settings page.
  5. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 17
    5
    Click Check for updates. It's a button near the top of the Update & Security page.
  6. Image titled Update Microsoft Internet Explorer Step 18
    6
    Wait for the updates to finish installing. Once you see "Your device is up to date" displayed at the top of the page, your Microsoft Edge browser has been updated.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Why do I get messages to fix Microsoft if there is a note in settings saying that my phone does not need any updates?
    Natalie Tellechea
    Natalie Tellechea
    Top Answerer
    If these messages are coming from your browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, etc.), then they might be fake messages, which are sometimes sent to scam people. If they are system messages, you might need to ask a Microsoft store technician or a tech-savvy friend what is wrong.
  • Question
    Will Microsoft Edge work on Windows 7?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, Microsoft Edge Is now available on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Mac OS.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Despite the Creator update for Windows 10 platforms, Internet Explorer is still considered a vulnerable browser. Refrain from using it unless you have no other choice.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Never download Internet Explorer from anywhere other than an official Microsoft site.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Remove a Website From the Restricted Site List in Internet Explorer
How to
Remove a Website From the Restricted Site List in Internet Explorer
Surf the Web Anonymously with Proxies
How to
Surf the Web Anonymously with Proxies
Force Refresh in Your Internet Browser
How to
Force Refresh in Your Internet Browser
Get Around Parental Controls on the Internet
How to
Get Around Parental Controls on the Internet
Install Internet Explorer
How to
Install Internet Explorer
Turn Off the Pop‐Up Blocker in Internet Explorer
How to
Turn Off the Pop‐Up Blocker in Internet Explorer
Uninstall Internet Explorer Completely
How to
Uninstall Internet Explorer Completely
Make Internet Explorer Your Default Internet Browser
How to
Make Internet Explorer Your Default Internet Browser
Create a Shortcut to a Website on Your Desktop with Internet ExplorerHow To Create a Shortcut On Your Desktop w/ Microsoft IE & Edge
Browse Incognito in Internet Explorer
How to
Browse Incognito in Internet Explorer
Fix Internet Explorer when It Can't Open a Webpage
How to
Fix Internet Explorer when It Can't Open a Webpage
Change Your Home Page in Internet Explorer
How to
Change Your Home Page in Internet Explorer
Access Internet Explorer History
How to
Access Internet Explorer History
Do Social Bookmarking
How to
Do Social Bookmarking
Advertisement

About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 2,030,986 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 28
Updated: November 12, 2022
Views: 2,030,986
Categories: Internet Explorer
Article SummaryX

1. Go to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 11 download page.
2. Scroll down to your language.
3. Click your operating system to download.
4. Double-click the setup file.
5. Click Yes.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install.
7. Click Finish.

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement