Ah, the ghost of browsers past! It sounds like you're on a quest to resurrect Internet Explorer on your Windows 11 or 10 machine. While Microsoft has officially retired the standalone Internet Explorer application, its core engine, MSHTML, lives on within a compatibility mode in Microsoft Edge.
So, are you ready to take a trip down memory lane and enable this compatibility view? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Launch Microsoft Edge - Your Portal to the Past
Go ahead and open Microsoft Edge. You'll find its icon typically on your taskbar or in your Start Menu. Click on it, and let's get started!
Step 2: Accessing the Settings Menu
Now that you have Edge open, you need to find the settings. Here's how:
Sub-step 2.1: Clicking the Three Dots
Look for the three horizontal dots in the upper-right corner of the Edge window. This is the "Settings and more" menu. Click on it.
Sub-step 2.2: Navigating to Settings
A dropdown menu will appear. Scroll down and click on "Settings". This will open the main settings page in a new tab.
Step 3: Finding the "Default Browser" Settings
On the left-hand side of the Settings page, you'll see a sidebar with various categories. Click on "Default browser".
Step 4: Enabling "Reload pages in Internet Explorer mode"
This is where the magic happens! On the "Default browser" settings page, look for the section titled "Internet Explorer compatibility".
Sub-step 4.1: Toggling the Option
You'll see an option that says "Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode (IE mode)". By default, this is usually set to "Default". Click on the dropdown menu next to it and select "Allow".
Sub-step 4.2: Restarting Edge
After you select "Allow", you'll be prompted to restart Microsoft Edge. Make sure to save any unsaved work and then click on the "Restart" button. This step is crucial for the changes to take effect.
Step 5: Using Internet Explorer Mode for Specific Websites
Now that you've enabled IE mode, you won't see a separate Internet Explorer application. Instead, you'll need to reload specific websites within Microsoft Edge using IE mode. Here's how:
Sub-step 5.1: Navigating to the Website
Open Microsoft Edge and go to the website that requires Internet Explorer compatibility.
Sub-step 5.2: Accessing the "Reload in Internet Explorer mode" Option
Look for the three horizontal dots (the "Settings and more" menu) again in the upper-right corner. Click on it.
Sub-step 5.3: Selecting "Reload in Internet Explorer mode"
In the dropdown menu, you should now see an option that says "Reload in Internet Explorer mode". Click on this option. The current tab will reload using the Internet Explorer engine.
Sub-step 5.4: Visual Indication
You'll likely see a small "e" icon (the classic Internet Explorer logo) appear in the address bar while the page is in IE mode. This indicates that the page is being rendered using the MSHTML engine.
Step 6: Pinning Websites in IE Mode (Optional)
For websites you frequently need to access in IE mode, you can pin them to your taskbar for quicker access:
Sub-step 6.1: Reloading in IE Mode
First, make sure the website is currently loaded in IE mode within Microsoft Edge (as described in Step 5).
Sub-step 6.2: Accessing Edge's Settings Again
Click on the three horizontal dots in the upper-right corner.
Sub-step 6.3: Navigating to "More tools"
In the dropdown menu, hover over "More tools".
Sub-step 6.4: Selecting "Pin to taskbar"
A submenu will appear. Click on "Pin to taskbar". This will create a shortcut on your taskbar that will open the specific website directly in IE mode when you click it.
Step 7: Managing IE Mode Pages
You can manage the websites you've set to open in IE mode:
Sub-step 7.1: Returning to "Default browser" Settings
Open Microsoft Edge, click the three dots, go to "Settings", and then click on "Default browser".
Sub-step 7.2: Exploring "Internet Explorer mode pages"
You'll see a section called "Internet Explorer mode pages". Here, you can see a list of websites you've configured to open in IE mode.
Sub-step 7.3: Adding or Removing Pages
You can click the "Add" button to manually enter the URL of a website you want to always open in IE mode. You can also hover over an existing entry and click the "X" button to remove it from the list.
Sub-step 7.4: Configuring "Internet Explorer mode reload in Microsoft Edge"
Below the list of IE mode pages, you'll find an option "Internet Explorer mode reload in Microsoft Edge". This allows you to set how long a page stays in IE mode before needing to be reloaded. You can choose between "Default (5 minutes)", "15 minutes", "30 minutes", "1 hour", or "Never".
Important Considerations
- End of Support: Remember that Microsoft has officially ended support for the standalone Internet Explorer application. The IE mode in Edge is a compatibility feature for legacy websites and applications. It's not intended for general browsing.
- Security Risks: Using older browser technologies can expose you to security vulnerabilities. Exercise caution when browsing websites in IE mode.
- Modern Alternatives: For most modern websites, Microsoft Edge in its standard mode offers a much better, faster, and more secure browsing experience.
How to... Frequently Asked Questions
How to know if a page is in Internet Explorer mode?
You can tell if a page is in IE mode by looking for the small "e" icon (the Internet Explorer logo) in the left side of the address bar in Microsoft Edge.
How to open a new tab in Internet Explorer mode?
You cannot directly open a blank new tab in IE mode. You need to navigate to a specific website and then reload that tab in IE mode.
How to make all websites open in Internet Explorer mode?
While you can add individual sites to the "Internet Explorer mode pages" list, there isn't a global setting to make all websites automatically open in IE mode. This is by design, as IE mode is intended for specific compatibility needs, not general browsing.
How to disable Internet Explorer mode in Windows 11/10?
To disable IE mode, go to Edge's Settings > Default browser, and set "Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode (IE mode)" back to "Default". Then, restart Edge.
How to find the Internet Explorer executable file?
The standalone Internet Explorer application (iexplore.exe) is no longer available in Windows 11 and most recent versions of Windows 10. Its functionality is integrated into Microsoft Edge's IE mode.
How to change Internet Explorer settings within Edge?
When a page is in IE mode, the settings being used are essentially the underlying MSHTML engine's settings. You can sometimes access related settings within Edge's compatibility settings, but direct control over traditional IE settings is limited.
How to troubleshoot websites not working in Internet Explorer mode?
Ensure that IE mode is enabled in Edge's settings. If a specific site still doesn't work, it might have compatibility issues even with IE mode. Check the website's documentation or contact their support for guidance.
How to remove a website from the Internet Explorer mode pages list?
Go to Edge's Settings > Default browser > Internet Explorer mode pages. Hover over the website you want to remove and click the "X" button next to it.
How to set the default reload time for Internet Explorer mode pages?
Go to Edge's Settings > Default browser. Under "Internet Explorer mode reload in Microsoft Edge", choose your preferred duration from the dropdown menu.
How to know if my Windows version still supports Internet Explorer mode?
Microsoft has stated that IE mode in Microsoft Edge will be supported at least through 2029. Ensure your Windows 11 or 10 is up to date with the latest updates for continued compatibility.
There you have it! A comprehensive guide to enabling and using Internet Explorer mode within Microsoft Edge. Remember to use this feature judiciously for those specific websites that require it. Happy (legacy) browsing!