Enable Internet Explorer Mode in Chromium Edge
To enable Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge (the Chromium-based version), open Edge, click the three-dot menu, select Settings > Default browser, and under “Internet Explorer compatibility� set “Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode� to Allow. Then restart Edge and use the “Reload in IE mode� option from the three-dot menu (or right-click a tab) to view a site in IE mode. This feature is built into Edge, so you don’t need to install anything extra.
Why IE Mode Exists
Internet Explorer was retired on June 15, 2022, and is no longer supported by Microsoft. However, many businesses, government agencies, and schools still run legacy web applications that only work with IE’s older rendering engine and ActiveX controls. Edge’s IE mode is the official replacement: it lets you open those old sites inside a modern, secure browser while still using the IE engine under the hood. It’s not a separate program—it’s a compatibility layer that runs IE11’s engine within an Edge tab.
How to Enable IE Mode (Step-by-Step)
- Open Microsoft Edge (the Chromium version, not the old EdgeHTML version).
- Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- In the left sidebar, choose Default browser.
- Under “Internet Explorer compatibility,� find “Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode.�
- Set the dropdown to Allow.
- Click Restart when prompted.
- After restart, go to the site you need to open in IE mode.
- Click the three-dot menu again, then select More tools > Reload in Internet Explorer mode.
Alternatively, right-click the tab and choose “Reload in Internet Explorer mode.� The tab will show an IE logo in the address bar, and a banner will appear saying “This page is being viewed in Internet Explorer mode.�
How IE Mode Works
IE mode uses the Trident engine (the one from IE11) to render the page, but it runs inside an Edge tab. This means you get modern browser features like tab management, password manager, and secure HTTPS handling while the page itself behaves as if it were in IE11. ActiveX controls, legacy document modes, and older JavaScript behaviors are supported. The mode is per-tab, so you can have some tabs in IE mode and others in normal Edge mode at the same time. IE mode does not change the rest of Edge—only the specific tab you reload.
How to Choose Which Sites Use IE Mode
You can manually reload any site in IE mode, but if you have many legacy sites, you can set up a site list so they automatically open in IE mode without extra clicks. This is done through group policy or by configuring an enterprise site list in the Edge management settings. For individual users, the manual “Reload in IE mode� option is enough. To stop using IE mode for a site, just close the tab or click “Exit� on the IE mode banner—the next time you visit that site, it will load in normal Edge mode.
Common Problems and Fixes
- IE mode option is grayed out: This usually means your organization has disabled it via policy. Check with your IT admin.
- Site still doesn’t work in IE mode: Some sites require a specific document mode or compatibility view. In IE mode, you can press F12 to open the developer tools and change the document mode, but this is temporary.
- IE mode not available on Windows: IE mode works on Windows 10 and Windows 11, but not on macOS or Linux. If you’re on a Mac, you’ll need to use a Windows virtual machine or a different browser.
- ActiveX controls blocked: IE mode supports ActiveX, but you may need to allow the control to run in the site’s security settings. Check the IE mode settings in Edge.
- Edge restarts and IE mode is gone: Make sure you set the “Allow sites to be reloaded in IE mode� option to “Allow� and not “Don’t allow.� Also, some updates may reset this setting.
IE Mode vs. Other Options
IE mode is not the same as “Enterprise Mode� in the old Edge, nor is it a virtual machine. It’s a built-in feature that requires no extra downloads. Alternatives include using a standalone IE11 VM (Microsoft offers free Windows VMs for testing), but that’s cumbersome. Some third-party browsers claim IE compatibility, but they are not officially supported and may have security risks. Edge’s IE mode is the only officially supported way to run IE11 web apps on Windows 10/11 after IE’s retirement.
Cost and Availability
IE mode is free and included with Microsoft Edge. It is available on Windows 10 and Windows 11, but not on Windows 8.1 or earlier, nor on macOS or Linux. If you need IE mode on a non-Windows device, you’ll need to use a Windows environment. Microsoft has said IE mode will be supported through at least 2029, but you should check the latest support lifecycle for updates.
Security Considerations
IE mode is less secure than normal Edge because it uses an older engine with known vulnerabilities. Microsoft recommends using IE mode only for sites that require it, and only when no modern alternative exists. Do not use IE mode for everyday browsing. Also, IE mode does not support modern web standards like CSS Grid, Flexbox, or ES6, so pages that work in Edge may look broken in IE mode. Always test legacy sites in IE mode before relying on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IE mode work on Mac or Linux?
No. IE mode is only available on Windows 10 and Windows 11. On macOS or Linux, Edge does not include the IE engine, so the option is not present.
Can I set IE mode to open automatically for certain sites?
Yes, but only through enterprise policy (Group Policy or MDM). For personal use, you must manually click “Reload in IE mode� each time. There is no built-in per-site auto-switch for individual users.
Is IE mode the same as Internet Explorer 11?
It uses the same Trident engine and supports ActiveX, but it is not a full IE11 browser. Some IE11 features like toolbars, add-ons, and the old F12 developer tools are not available in IE mode.
Why is the IE mode option missing from my Edge?
Your organization may have disabled it via policy, or you may be on a non-Windows OS. Also, ensure Edge is up to date—older versions may not have the option.
Will IE mode be removed in the future?
Microsoft has committed to supporting IE mode through at least 2029, but they may extend it. As of now, it remains available in current Edge versions.
Can I use IE mode for banking or shopping sites?
You shouldn’t. Those sites are modern and work fine in Edge. IE mode is only for legacy internal applications that require ActiveX or old JavaScript. Using it on modern sites can cause display issues and security risks.
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