How to Enable IE Mode on Microsoft Edge Chromium

This post teaches students and new users how to enable or disable Internet Explorer compatibility mode in Microsoft Edge browser in Windows 10/11.

Microsoft has decided to discontinue both Internet Explorer and the old Edge browsers in Windows. Some websites built to work with Internet Explorer may not work properly in the new Microsoft Edge. For that reason, Microsoft released a feature in the new Edge to allow users to reload old web pages in compatible Internet Explorer mode.

The new Microsoft Edge browser has adopted the Chromium project's open source codebase and offers better web performance and compatibility than the old edge.

Microsoft Edge browser is a cross-platform browser that supports all Windows, MacOS and Linux systems. If you are currently using Edge and want to learn how to reload IE mode in Microsoft Edge, the steps below will show you how.

By default, most websites are built on modern standards and are compatible with the new Edge. The new Edge browser will be the default web browser in Windows 10/11. If there is a need for an older site built to support IE, then users will have to enable IE mode in the new Edge. Using this compatibility mode, one can continue to use old websites without the need for third-party tools or plugins.

How to enable IE mode in Edge

By default, Microsoft Edge is the latest default browser in Windows for all websites and web portals. If a legacy website or web portal needs Internet Explorer to work, you can enable IE compatibility mode in Edge to view the web page, and the steps below show you how to do that.

1. Open the new Microsoft Edge, go to Settings and more > Settings..

2. Select Default browser on the sidebar.

3. Locate the Internet Explorer compatibility section to the right of the Settings page.

4. Open the pull-down menu next to Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode and select Allow.

5. Or you can simply enter the URL below into your Edge browser to go straight to Default Browser Settings.

edge://settings/defaultBrowser

6. When you select Allow, you will be prompted to reload Edge to apply the changes. Click the Restart button.

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Internet Explorer mode is now active in Microsoft Edge. You can call it manually or set up your browser to use it automatically for specific sites and pages.

How to enable and disable Internet Explorer mode in Edge

With Internet Explorer Mode working in Microsoft Edge, you can manually load websites or apps with the Trident MSHTML tool whenever you want.

1. Get a web page or app in Edge.

2. Open the Settings and more menu.

3. Select Reload in Internet Explorer mode.

The web page will reload in Internet Explorer Mode. You'll see the familiar Internet Explorer logo to the left of the Microsoft Edge address bar confirming it. Links that you click will also load in Internet Explorer Mode, as long as they load pages from the same domain.

If you have other tabs with old content, you must manually enable Internet Explorer Mode for them.

If you ever want to go back to using the Chromium engine, just reopen the Settings and more menu and select Exit Internet Explorer mode. Or, just leave the tab.

Note: If you are having trouble enabling Internet Explorer Mode, you may have to install Internet Explorer or the Internet Explorer Mode module on your PC. Scroll further below for instructions.

How to set Sites to always load in Internet Explorer Mode

If you frequently interact with old websites and apps, you can instruct Microsoft Edge to load them in Internet Explorer Mode by default. You have several ways to do that.

If you've manually enabled Internet Explorer Mode for a website, just select the Internet Explorer logo in the address bar, toggle the switch next to Open this page in Internet Explorer Mode next time, and select Done .

Alternatively, you can add a website's URL via Microsoft Edge's Settings page.

1. Open the Settings and more menu and select Settings.

2. Select Default browser on the sidebar.

3. Select the Add button next to Internet Explorer mode pages.

4. Enter the URL of the page you want to load in Internet Explorer Mode by default.

5. Select Add.

6. Repeat steps 3–5 for any other pages you may want to add.

How to add Internet Explorer mode button to Edge

Microsoft Edge allows you to add an Internet Explorer Mode button to the browser toolbar. That makes it easier to turn the function on and off.

1. Open the Settings and more menu and select Settings.

2. Select Appearance on the sidebar.

3. Scroll down to the Customize toolbar section and toggle the switch next to the Internet Explorer mode button.

4. The Internet Explorer Mode button should now appear to the right of the address bar. Select it whenever you want to enter and exit Internet Explorer Mode.

If you want to remove the Internet Explorer Mode button, go back to Settings > Appearance and disable the switch next to Internet Explorer mode.

Can't Enable Internet Explorer Mode? Here's what you have to do

Internet Explorer comes pre-installed with Windows 10. But some PCs require you to activate it before you can start using it. So, for example, if you receive the message “Cannot find Internet Explorer” while enabling Internet Explorer Mode for a website or application, it helps.

The same problem can also occur in Windows 11. However, Microsoft's latest operating system does not include Internet Explorer as a separate application. Instead, it comes with an Internet Explorer Mode module that you have to add as an optional feature.

1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.

2. Select Apps.