How to Turn On Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge

Why You Might Need Internet Explorer Mode

You might need this mode to run older company platforms or apps built for legacy browsers.

Turning On Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge

Configuring Microsoft Edge settings to permit Internet Explorer mode establishes the necessary foundation. Unlocking this capability requires telling the browser to accept the original rendering engine.

Open Microsoft Edge and Go to Settings

Launch Microsoft Edge. Locate the three horizontal dots (…) in the top-right corner of the browser window. Click those dots to reveal the primary menu. Select “Settings” from the dropdown.

Go to the Default Browser Section

Navigation panels appear on the left side of the Settings ⚙️ menu. Click “Default browser.” Managing browser interoperability and compatibility handling happens in this exact location.

Allow Sites to Reload in Internet Explorer Mode

Locate the section labeled "Internet Explorer compatibility." Look for the dropdown menu next to "Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode". Change this setting to "Allow" to activate the core functionality.

Restart Microsoft Edge

Restarting Microsoft Edge applies the configuration changes. Shut down every open Edge window entirely. Relaunch the application to confirm the capability is operational for future page reloads.

How to Open a Specific Website in Internet Explorer Mode

Enabling Internet Explorer mode in settings permits immediate usage for dependent web pages. Deployment methods vary depending on whether the hardware is personally owned or corporate-managed.

For Personal Devices or When IE Mode is Fully Enabled

You can turn on internet explorer mode edge on a personal computer by opening Microsoft Edge settings and switching on the compatibility setting for individual sites. This lets you view older websites that refuse to load properly in modern browsers without needing any special software or administrator tools.

Navigate to the Website

Open Microsoft Edge and navigate directly to the target URL requiring compatibility mode. Allow the webpage to complete its initial loading sequence.

Access Edge's Settings Menu

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

Find the "Reload in Internet Explorer Mode" Option

Locate the newly available option reading "Reload in Internet Explorer mode" inside the expanded menu. Click that selection.

Important Note: Edge version 141 and newer alters this sequence slightly. Navigate to Settings, select 'Default browser,' and locate 'Internet Explorer compatibility.' Click 'Add' under 'Internet Explorer mode pages' to type the target URL. Reloading the page immediately afterward forces proper rendering.

Confirm the Website is Loading Correctly

The webpage refreshes automatically. A compact IE icon appears within the address bar, confirming active execution under Internet Explorer mode. Verification ensures functional integrity across the site elements.

For Enterprise Devices or When Your Organization Manages IE Mode

Enterprise devices rely on automated policies set by your company's IT department to run internet explorer mode edge automatically for approved work websites. You do not need to change any settings yourself because the browser handles the older code behind the scenes whenever you visit designated company pages.

Navigate to the Website

Navigate to the organizationally approved URL designed for IE mode. Manual configuration remains unnecessary under standard enterprise deployment scenarios.

Look for the "Reload in Internet Explorer Mode" Option

Click the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of Edge after the page loads. The "Reload in Internet Explorer mode" option should appear. Missing options or broken pages indicate an unapproved URL or restrictive corporate policies blocking unlisted sites. Contacting internal IT support resolves these administrative restrictions.

Company-managed computers often display a greyed-out "Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode" setting. Administrators must configure specific rules, such as the Enterprise Site List, before this option becomes available.

Exiting Internet Explorer Mode

Returning to standard browsing after finishing work on a legacy site takes only a second.

Look for the Information Bar

Active IE mode sessions display an informational message bar across the top of the browser window reading something similar to "This site is running in Internet Explorer mode."

Click "Leave"

You can exit internet explorer mode edge by clicking the Leave button in the top notification banner of the active tab. This instantly switches the page back to the standard Microsoft Edge rendering engine so you can browse normally without the compatibility wrapper.

Reference:

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

Summary

Legacy websites lacking modern browser support load successfully using Internet Explorer mode inside Edge, activated through Settings under 'Default browser.'