Can’t open very old websites on Edge in Windows 11? Try to use Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge.
Windows 11 is probably the first version of Windows that doesn’t explicitly include Internet Explorer. While there will be virtually no more users who will miss the old web browser, websites configured to perform best on Internet Explorer did not simply disappear overnight.
Therefore, for these websites, Microsoft has retained a way to load Internet Explorer dependent websites in compatibility mode in Microsoft Edge. However, the option may not be enabled by default in Windows 11, and users requiring Internet Explorer compatibility will need to dig into Edge browser settings to enable the option.
But dear reader, don’t have to worry since in this article you will learn exactly how to enable Internet Explorer compatibility in Windows 11. So let’s get started.
What is Internet Explorer Compatibility Mode in Edge?
Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge allows you to use legacy IE infrastructure inside chrome-based Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft aims to make people’s lives easier by enabling a single browser that is backward compatible with older sites and apps that use Trident MSHTML technology and that is also capable of running modern apps and websites. Let’s take a look at all the features of IE 11 supported by Microsoft Edge.
Internet Explorer features supported by Microsoft Edge
- All business modes and document modes
- Controls for ActiveX (Silverlight / Java)
- Browser helper objects
- IE settings and group policies that affect security zone and protected mode settings
- Microsoft Edge Extensions (Extensions that directly interact with IE page content are not supported.)
- The F12 Developer Tools for Internet Explorer when launched with IEChooser.
Features of Internet Explorer NOT supported by Microsoft Edge
- Internet Explorer Toolbars
- IE11 or Microsoft Edge F12 development tools
- Internet Explorer settings and group policies that affect the navigation menu
Why is Internet Explorer compatibility mode important?
The Internet Explorer desktop application will no longer be supported by Microsoft after June 15, 2024. Thus, for organizations that use Internet Explorer-based applications and websites, the Internet Explorer compatibility mode will prove to be of great benefit. .
Additionally, in the Enterprise editions of Windows 11, organizations can set an “Enterprise Mode Site List” using “Local Group Policy Editor” which can be used by system administrators to update. update or remove a website from IE compatibility for all machines present on the intranet at one time.
How to enable Internet Explorer compatibility mode in Microsoft Edge
First, launch Microsoft Edge browser from the taskbar or Start menu on your Windows computer.
Next, click on the ellipsis icon (three horizontal dots) located in the upper right corner of Microsoft Edge browser.
Then choose the “Settings” option from the list items of the overflow menu.
After that, click on the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper left corner of the “Settings” page.
Now click on the “Default Browser” option from the list of available options.
Now, in the Internet Explorer compatibility section, activate the toggle next to the option “Allow reloading of sites in Internet Explorer mode”. And then, click on the ‘Restart’ button to apply the changes by restarting the browser.
View web pages in Internet Explorer mode
Once you have enabled Internet Explorer Compatibility Mode from Microsoft Edge, you will be able to view preferred web pages in Internet Explorer mode. However, you will need a few clicks to achieve this.
To view websites in Internet Explorer mode, first open the targeted website in Microsoft Edge browser. Then click on the ellipsis icon (three horizontal dots) in the upper right corner of the Edge window.
Now navigate and click on the “More Tools” option from the overflow menu and select the “Reload in Internet Explorer Mode” option.
After clicking on the option, the already opened website will be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode. Additionally, Microsoft Edge will display a ribbon below the address bar informing you that you are currently viewing the web page in Internet Explorer mode.
The Internet Explorer logo in the address bar is also an indicator of the enabled compatibility mode.
To exit Internet Explorer compatibility mode, click on the ‘Exit’ button on the ribbon located under the address bar of the Microsoft Edge browser.
