Overview
Some older business sites and web apps were built for Internet Explorer. Microsoft Edge includes IE mode so these legacy pages work without a separate browser. This guide shows how to enable IE mode and load a page with it.
Key Takeaways
- IE mode runs legacy Internet Explorer pages inside Edge.
- You enable it in Edge’s Default browser settings.
- Specific pages can be set to always open in IE mode.
- It is intended only for sites that genuinely need IE.
Enable IE Mode
1. Open Edge and go to Settings > Default browser.
2. Set Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode to Allow.
3. Restart Edge when prompted.
4. The IE mode option is now available in the menu.
Load a Page in IE Mode
1. Navigate to the legacy site in Edge.
2. Open the menu (three dots) and choose Reload in Internet Explorer mode.
3. To make it persistent, add the site under Internet Explorer mode pages in settings.
4. A page icon indicates when IE mode is active.
Note: IE mode is a compatibility bridge, not a general browsing mode. Use it only for the specific sites that require Internet Explorer.
Troubleshooting
Problem: The Reload in IE mode option is missing.
Solution: Enable the IE mode setting under Default browser and restart Edge.
Problem: The site still does not work in IE mode.
Solution: Confirm the required legacy components are installed and that the site is added to the IE mode pages list.
Problem: IE mode keeps expiring for a site.
Solution: Add the site to the persistent IE mode pages list, since manual reloads last only 30 days by default.
Problem: The option is controlled by your organization.
Solution: On managed devices IE mode may be set by policy; contact your administrator to add sites.
Conclusion
IE mode keeps essential legacy sites working inside a modern browser. Enable it once, add the sites that need it, and you can retire standalone Internet Explorer entirely.
About TechHub
This guide is part of the TechHub Knowledge Base. For more step-by-step IT guides and support, visit techhub.com.lk.
