Internet Explorer is no longer a standalone browser on modern Windows PCs, but some older work portals and internal business tools still expect it. Microsoft Edge includes Internet Explorer mode so those specific pages can run with IE compatibility inside an Edge tab.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Microsoft Edge on Windows. IE mode is most common on work, school, government, or managed computers that still rely on legacy intranet tools.
Turn on IE mode and reload a page in it
First enable the feature, then reload the problem page using IE mode.
- Open Edge.
- Click the three-dot menu and choose Settings.
- Select Default browser in the left sidebar.
- Find Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode and set it to Allow.
- Click Restart when Edge asks.
- After Edge restarts, open the old site that is not working.
- Open the three-dot menu and choose Reload in Internet Explorer mode.
- Confirm with Reload in the popup. Edge reloads the page and shows an IE icon in the address bar while the tab is using IE mode.
Add a site to the IE mode list permanently
This is useful for a page you need in IE mode every visit.
- Open Settings > Default browser.
- Under Internet Explorer mode pages, click Add.
- Enter the site address.
- Click Add.
- Restart Edge if prompted.
After the site is listed, Edge should open that page in IE mode automatically instead of making you reload it manually each time.
More control
Work computers may be managed by IT
Many organizations configure IE mode with Microsoft policies and a central list of internal websites. If the setting is unavailable, the site will not stay listed, or the page still does not work, your IT department may need to update the policy list.
IE mode is not a permanent web strategy
Microsoft supports IE mode as a bridge for legacy systems, with support currently committed through 2029. It is meant to keep older tools running while they are updated for modern browsers.
Only selected pages use IE compatibility
Turning on IE mode does not change the whole browser. Normal websites continue to use the modern Edge engine unless you reload or list a specific page for IE mode.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Open Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge (2025)
- Microsoft Learn – Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge (2025)
- Microsoft Support – What is Internet Explorer mode? (2025)