How to Turn on Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge

Why You Might Need Internet Explorer Mode

You might need Internet Explorer mode in Edge if you’re trying to visit an old company website or use an older software program that doesn’t work with modern browsers.

Turning On Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge

First, you need to allow Internet Explorer mode in your Microsoft Edge settings. This tells Edge you want the option to open some pages using IE’s original method. It’s a setting that unlocks a powerful feature.

Open Microsoft Edge and Go to Settings

Start by opening Microsoft Edge. Look for the three dots (…) in the top-right corner of the browser window. Click these dots to open the menu. Then, choose “Settings.”

Go to the Default Browser Section

In the Settings menu, you’ll see a list on the left side. Click on “Default browser.” This is where you control how Edge works with other browsers and how it handles compatibility.

Allow Sites to Reload in Internet Explorer Mode

Now, find the section called “Internet Explorer compatibility.” There’s a dropdown menu that says “Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode.” Click it and choose “Allow.” This is the crucial step to turn on the feature.

Restart Microsoft Edge

To make the changes work, you need to close and reopen Microsoft Edge. Close all Edge windows. Then, open the browser again. You’ll know the setting is active when you see the option to reload pages in IE mode later.

How to Open a Specific Website in Internet Explorer Mode

After you turn on Internet Explorer mode in your settings, you can start using it for the websites that need it. There are a few ways to do this, depending on if you use a personal computer or a work device.

For Personal Devices or When IE Mode is Fully Enabled

You can turn on Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge for specific websites on your own computer. This is helpful if a certain site only works with older versions of Internet Explorer and your company hasn’t stopped you from using this feature.

Navigate to the Website

Open Microsoft Edge and go to the exact web address (URL) of the site you need to see in Internet Explorer mode. Make sure the page has finished loading.

Access Edge’s Settings Menu

Click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner of the Edge window to open the main menu.

Find the “Reload in Internet Explorer Mode” Option

In the menu that appears, you should now see an option that says “Reload in Internet Explorer mode.” Click it.

Important Note: If you’re using a very new version of Edge (version 141 or newer), the steps are a bit different. Go to Settings, then ‘Default browser.’ Under ‘Internet Explorer compatibility,’ look for ‘Internet Explorer mode pages.’ Click ‘Add’ and type the web address (URL) you want to open in IE mode. After adding it, reload the page, and it should open correctly.

Confirm the Website is Loading Correctly

The page will reload. You should now see a small IE icon in the address bar. This shows it is running in Internet Explorer mode. Check the site to make sure everything works as it should.

For Enterprise Devices or When Your Organization Manages IE Mode

If you’re on a work computer, your IT department likely handles Internet Explorer mode in Edge for you. They usually set it up so that certain company websites automatically open in this mode without you needing to do anything.

Navigate to the Website

Go to the website your company has set up for IE mode. You usually don’t need to do anything special yourself.

Look for the “Reload in Internet Explorer Mode” Option

Once the page loads, click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner of Edge. You should see the “Reload in Internet Explorer mode” option. If you don’t see it, and the site isn’t working, it might not be on your company’s approved list. Or, your company’s rules might not let sites not on the list run in IE mode. In this case, you need to talk to your IT department.

On computers managed by a company, the setting “Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode” might be greyed out. Reloading pages in Internet Explorer mode only becomes available when a company configures specific rules. These rules might use the Enterprise Site List or permit unlisted websites to run in IE mode.

Exiting Internet Explorer Mode

When you’re done with a website that was running in Internet Explorer mode, you’ll want to go back to normal browsing. It’s usually pretty simple.

Look for the Information Bar

When a site is in IE mode, you will usually see a message bar at the top of the browser window. It might say something like, “This site is running in Internet Explorer mode.”

Click “Leave”

To stop using Internet Explorer mode in Edge for a specific webpage, click the ‘Leave’ button. This button appears at the top of the page in a message bar. If you don’t see it, closing the tab and opening a new one will switch you back to regular Edge.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/internet-explorer-mode-in-microsoft-edge

Summary

Internet Explorer mode in Edge helps you access older websites that don’t work with new browsers, and you can turn it on in Edge settings under ‘Default browser’.