Ah, Internet Explorer. For those of us who remember its heyday, it's like running into an old friend from high school at a reunion—you’ve moved on, and so have they—or so you thought. Despite being officially retired in 2022 and completely removed from mainstream Windows operating systems in 2023, traces of the venerable (and often ridiculed) web browser remain embedded in Windows 11 today. Let’s dig into this relic, uncover its purpose, and explore why Microsoft hasn’t entirely exorcised the ghost of Internet Explorer.
This historical data repository can (in some cases) track web pages visited through Internet Explorer. Whether this feature is actively functional in Windows 11 isn’t the primary issue here; it’s the fact it’s still there—a curious artifact from an age where Internet Explorer’s blue ‘e’ was synonymous with web browsing.
Here's a practical example: Many enterprises have custom-built internal applications perfectly tailored for Internet Explorer’s quirks, standards, and APIs. Rather than rewriting entire codebases (a costly and time-consuming endeavor), Microsoft chose to provide continuity by embedding such vestigial tools within their newer operating systems. That said, it's fair to wonder whether the time has come to phase these out for good, given the security and resource implications.
Microsoft Edge, built on the open-source Chromium framework since 2020, is the company’s modern answer to web browsing. Sleek, fast, and secure, Edge has surpassed its problematic progenitor in every measurable way. In fact, it’s gaining traction among users who might’ve otherwise defaulted to Google Chrome. Despite this, some aspects of Internet Explorer—like its legacy folder—remain tethered to the Windows ecosystem, quietly underpinning backwards compatibility.
If that sounds overly pragmatic, consider this: Maintaining ancient folders like
Still, Microsoft seems to have a handle on this. The company has largely sanded down the jagged edges of older technologies, integrating robust security measures into Windows 11. Internet Explorer itself is no longer a functional technology—but its supporting systems remain watchfully dormant.
Until then, Windows users have little to fear and a lot to appreciate about the novelty of running brand-new apps that somehow co-exist with relics of Windows past. Wouldn’t it be poetic if, years from now, Microsoft found itself creating compatibility settings for Windows 11 apps running on boundary-pushing quantum computing systems? After all, history has a way of repeating itself.
Source: Windows Report https://windowsreport.com/despite-retiring-it-internet-explorer-can-still-be-found-in-windows-11/
A Folder from the Past
According to recent observations by tech enthusiasts, including the Windows historian @TheBobPony, a leftover folder called%localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\History still lingers in Windows 11. Embedded deep in the system’s bowels, this folder was originally used to track user activity both within Internet Explorer and in the Windows File Explorer back in the Windows Vista era. While it’s labeled as "legacy code," the folder is more than a passing remnant of bygone days—it’s still active.This historical data repository can (in some cases) track web pages visited through Internet Explorer. Whether this feature is actively functional in Windows 11 isn’t the primary issue here; it’s the fact it’s still there—a curious artifact from an age where Internet Explorer’s blue ‘e’ was synonymous with web browsing.
Why Does Legacy Code Matter?
Before you grab your pitchforks and demand immediate cleansing, let’s appreciate one key fact: the persistence of this "legacy architecture" isn’t a cardinal sin from a development standpoint. Microsoft’s insistence on carrying over old frameworks allows legacy software—think Windows 7-era apps—to still function under the sparkling polish of Windows 11.Here's a practical example: Many enterprises have custom-built internal applications perfectly tailored for Internet Explorer’s quirks, standards, and APIs. Rather than rewriting entire codebases (a costly and time-consuming endeavor), Microsoft chose to provide continuity by embedding such vestigial tools within their newer operating systems. That said, it's fair to wonder whether the time has come to phase these out for good, given the security and resource implications.
The Evolution from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge
Let’s not forget where this journey began. Internet Explorer was Microsoft’s flagship browser, reigning supreme during the early 2000s. However, over time, it became synonymous with outdated standards, performance bottlenecks, and cringe-worthy vulnerabilities. After years of attempting to revive the declining reputation of the browser, Microsoft ultimately waved the white flag in 2015 with the launch of Microsoft Edge.Microsoft Edge, built on the open-source Chromium framework since 2020, is the company’s modern answer to web browsing. Sleek, fast, and secure, Edge has surpassed its problematic progenitor in every measurable way. In fact, it’s gaining traction among users who might’ve otherwise defaulted to Google Chrome. Despite this, some aspects of Internet Explorer—like its legacy folder—remain tethered to the Windows ecosystem, quietly underpinning backwards compatibility.
Legacy Code: A Necessary Evil?
If you were expecting an entirely pristine Windows 11, untouched by the ghosts of software past, you might find this disappointing. But legacy support has clear advantages. By preserving pieces of older software (like IE’s codebase), Microsoft ensures that complex enterprise networks, libraries, and apps can continue to function seamlessly. This kind of backward compatibility keeps companies on Windows, ensuring loyalty even as they update their operating systems.If that sounds overly pragmatic, consider this: Maintaining ancient folders like
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\History allows apps built during the Vista days—or even earlier—to play nicely within the contemporary Windows 11 sandbox. Without these remnants, enterprises running massive, decades-old systems might hesitate to migrate to Windows 11, possibly pushing them towards competing solutions. That’s certainly not in Microsoft’s interest.The Other Ghosts Haunting Windows 11
Internet Explorer isn’t the only vintage artifact concealed within the glossy modernity of Windows 11. Other remnants of legacy code and features include:- Old Icons: Windows 11 staunchly embraces its modern UI aesthetic, yet users occasionally spot outdated visual elements, such as icons for downloading files in Outlook. These icons are artifacts of previous iterations of Windows.
- Registry Artifacts: Some registry keys and settings hearken back to Windows XP and Vista eras. Although many users might ignore them, they still influence systems managing old drivers and outdated applications.
- Compatibility Modes: Windows 11 offers compatibility modes that mimic Windows 7 or Windows XP environments, ensuring older apps don’t crash instantly. To enable this, significant amounts of code from these operating systems remain embedded in Windows 11.
- Legacy Tools & Functions: Tools like the Command Prompt and older Control Panel interfaces still live alongside modern counterparts like PowerShell and the Settings App. This duality reflects the user base’s divided preferences: seasoned veterans with a fondness for the old ways versus newer users embracing streamlined experiences.
Should You Be Concerned?
The question lingers: does any of this pose a risk? From a security standpoint, leaving outdated elements like the Internet Explorer legacy folder potentially increases the attack surface. Malicious actors have historically exploited leftover frameworks to compromise systems—a fact Microsoft is surely aware of. Keeping legacy software active requires constant vigilance through security updates and patches. If not properly managed, such remnants could transition from useful to dangerous fairly quickly.Still, Microsoft seems to have a handle on this. The company has largely sanded down the jagged edges of older technologies, integrating robust security measures into Windows 11. Internet Explorer itself is no longer a functional technology—but its supporting systems remain watchfully dormant.
What’s Next for Microsoft?
As technology continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, Microsoft will undoubtedly need to make a clear decision about when to finally unplug systems like the folder in question. Perhaps Windows 12 (whenever it sees the light of day) will herald the next generation of OS architecture that bids farewell to legacy systems entirely.Until then, Windows users have little to fear and a lot to appreciate about the novelty of running brand-new apps that somehow co-exist with relics of Windows past. Wouldn’t it be poetic if, years from now, Microsoft found itself creating compatibility settings for Windows 11 apps running on boundary-pushing quantum computing systems? After all, history has a way of repeating itself.
TL;DR
- Internet Explorer traces are still present in Windows 11, including a legacy folder that may track some historical data.
- Legacy code exists to enable backward compatibility, especially for apps developed in older Windows environments like Vista and 7.
- While practical, the presence of legacy elements carries potential security risks and contributes to system complexity.
- Microsoft faces an ongoing balancing act between innovation and compatibility, ensuring today’s Windows can support yesterday’s tools and tomorrow’s advancements.
Source: Windows Report https://windowsreport.com/despite-retiring-it-internet-explorer-can-still-be-found-in-windows-11/
