Ah, Internet Explorer in Windows 11! It feels a bit like uncovering a hidden treasure, doesn't it? While Microsoft Edge is the default and recommended browser for Windows 11, Internet Explorer is still lurking beneath the surface for compatibility reasons. Are you ready to embark on this little digital expedition to find and use it? Let's get started!
Unearthing Internet Explorer in Windows 11
Step 1: Diving into the Start Menu Search
The quickest way to begin our quest is through the Start Menu search bar. Go ahead and click on the Start button (the Windows logo, usually at the bottom-left of your screen) or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
Step 2: Typing the Magic Words
Once the Start Menu pops up, you'll see a search bar at the top. In this bar, carefully type the following phrase: Internet Explorer.
Step 3: Recognizing Our Target
As you type, Windows will start displaying search results. You should see an app listed as "Internet Explorer". The icon might look familiar, the classic blue 'e' with a yellow orbit around it.
Step 4: Launching the Legacy Browser
Simply click on "Internet Explorer" in the search results. And just like that, the familiar interface of Internet Explorer will appear on your screen. Congratulations, you've successfully unearthed it!
Navigating and Using Internet Explorer
Now that you have Internet Explorer open, let's take a quick tour of its basic functionalities.
Exploring the Interface
You'll likely notice a familiar layout, reminiscent of older versions of Windows.
- The Address Bar: Located at the top, this is where you type in website addresses (URLs) like
www.example.com. - Menu Bar (Optional): Depending on your settings, you might see a menu bar with options like "File," "Edit," "View," "Favorites," "Tools," and "Help." If you don't see it, you can usually bring it back by pressing the Alt key.
- Toolbar: Below the address bar, you'll typically find buttons for common actions like "Back," "Forward," "Refresh," and "Home."
- The Webpage Area: This is the main part of the window where the content of the websites you visit will be displayed.
- Status Bar: Usually at the very bottom, this bar shows information about the webpage you're viewing, such as its loading status or security information.
Basic Actions
- Visiting a Website: Simply type the website address into the address bar and press Enter.
- Navigating Back and Forward: Use the "Back" and "Forward" buttons on the toolbar to move through your browsing history.
- Refreshing a Page: If a page isn't loading correctly or you want to see the latest content, click the "Refresh" button.
- Going to Your Homepage: Clicking the "Home" button will take you to the webpage you've set as your homepage.
- Adding to Favorites: To save a website for easy access later, click the "Favorites" button (often a star icon) and add the page to your favorites list.
Important Considerations
While Internet Explorer is still present, it's crucial to understand that Microsoft no longer actively supports it for most versions of Windows, including Windows 11. This means it doesn't receive regular security updates or new features.
- Security Risks: Using an unsupported browser can expose your system to security vulnerabilities. It's generally strongly recommended to use Microsoft Edge for a safer and more up-to-date browsing experience.
- Compatibility Issues: Many modern websites are designed with newer web technologies that may not be fully compatible with Internet Explorer, leading to display errors or broken functionality.
- Limited Functionality: You'll miss out on the latest web features and performance improvements offered by modern browsers like Edge.
Why Might You Need Internet Explorer?
Despite the drawbacks, there might be specific scenarios where you need to use Internet Explorer:
- Legacy Applications: Some older web-based applications or internal tools used by organizations might still be designed to work best with Internet Explorer.
- Specific ActiveX Controls: Certain older websites or applications might rely on ActiveX controls, which are only supported by Internet Explorer.
In such cases, using Internet Explorer as a temporary solution might be necessary. However, it's always advisable to explore alternatives or updates for these legacy systems to move towards more secure and modern technologies.
Using Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge
Interestingly, Microsoft Edge has a built-in "IE mode" that allows you to view websites that require Internet Explorer compatibility directly within Edge. This is generally a more secure and convenient way to handle such situations without having to open the separate Internet Explorer application.
To use IE mode in Edge:
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Navigate to the website that requires Internet Explorer compatibility.
- Click on the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of the Edge window to open the "Settings and more" menu.
- Go to "Settings".
- In the Settings menu, navigate to "Default browser".
- Under the "Internet Explorer compatibility" section, you'll find an option to "Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode". Set this to "Allow". You might need to restart Edge for this change to take effect.
- Once enabled, if you encounter a website that requires IE, you can reload the page in IE mode by clicking the three dots again, hovering over "More tools," and selecting "Reload in Internet Explorer mode".
This IE mode within Edge offers better security and integrates the functionality within a modern browser.
Wrapping Up Our Exploration
While Internet Explorer is still present in Windows 11, it's more of a relic for specific compatibility needs rather than a recommended daily browser. Microsoft Edge with its built-in IE mode provides a more secure and integrated way to handle those legacy situations.
Now, let's address some common questions you might have:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to make Internet Explorer my default browser in Windows 11?
This is not recommended due to security and compatibility reasons. Windows 11 is designed to use Microsoft Edge as the default browser. While you can still open and use Internet Explorer, setting it as the default is generally discouraged and involves navigating through the Windows settings to change the default app for web browsing.
How to find Internet Explorer if it's not in the Start Menu search?
It should typically appear in the Start Menu search. However, if for some reason it doesn't, you can try navigating to the following location in File Explorer: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe (for 64-bit systems) or C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe (for 32-bit systems). You can then double-click iexplore.exe to run it.
How to add a website to favorites in Internet Explorer?
With Internet Explorer open and the website you want to save displayed, click on the star icon (Favorites button) usually located on the toolbar. Then, click "Add to favorites". You can organize your favorites into folders as well.
How to view my browsing history in Internet Explorer?
Click on the star icon (Favorites button) and then go to the "History" tab. Here, you can view your browsing history organized by date, website, or order visited.
How to change the homepage in Internet Explorer?
Click on the gear icon (Tools) in the top-right corner and select "Internet options". In the "General" tab, under the "Homepage" section, you can enter the website address you want to set as your homepage. Click "Apply" and then "OK".
How to clear browsing data (cache, cookies, history) in Internet Explorer?
Click on the gear icon (Tools) in the top-right corner and select "Internet options". In the "General" tab, under the "Browsing history" section, click the "Delete..." button. You can then select the types of data you want to delete (temporary internet files, cookies, history, etc.) and click "Delete".
How to enable the menu bar in Internet Explorer if it's not visible?
Press the Alt key on your keyboard. This should temporarily display the menu bar. To make it permanently visible, right-click in the title bar area (the very top of the window) and select "Menu bar" from the context menu.
How to update Internet Explorer in Windows 11?
Internet Explorer itself doesn't receive separate updates on Windows 11. It relies on the operating system updates. However, as mentioned earlier, it's not actively supported, so you won't see new features or specific IE updates. Microsoft focuses its browser development efforts on Edge.
How to use Internet Explorer for a specific website that requires it?
As discussed earlier, you can simply open Internet Explorer and navigate to the website. Alternatively, and more securely, consider using IE mode within Microsoft Edge for such websites.
How to know if a website requires Internet Explorer?
Sometimes, a website might display a message indicating that it's best viewed or requires Internet Explorer. You might also notice that certain elements of the website don't load or function correctly in a modern browser like Edge, suggesting it might be designed for older technologies.
I hope this comprehensive guide has shed some light on how to find and use Internet Explorer in Windows 11! Remember to prioritize your security and explore the benefits of Microsoft Edge, especially its IE mode, for a smoother and safer browsing experience. Let me know if you have any more questions!