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What is Internet Explorer (IE) mode?

  • Article

Note

Microsoft Edge for Business is now available in Edge stable version 116! Learn more about the new, dedicated work experience with native enterprise grade security, productivity, manageability, and AI built in.

Note

The retired, out-of-support Internet Explorer 11 desktop application has been permanently disabled through a Microsoft Edge update on certain versions of Windows 10. For more information, see Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ.

We created Internet Explorer (IE) mode in Microsoft Edge for organizations that still need Internet Explorer 11 for backward compatibility with existing websites but also need a modern browser. This feature makes it easier for organizations to use one browser, for legacy web/apps or for a modern web/app. This article provides an introduction to using Microsoft Edge with IE mode.

For an advanced configuration guide, see Configure IE mode for Microsoft Edge.

What is IE mode?

IE mode on Microsoft Edge makes it easy to use all of the sites your organization needs in a single browser. It uses the integrated Chromium engine for modern sites, and it uses the Trident MSHTML engine from Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) for legacy sites.

When a site loads in IE mode, the IE logo indicator displays on the left side of navigation bar. You can click the IE logo indicator to display additional information, as shown:

IE logo indicator

Only those sites that you specifically configure (via policy) will use IE mode, all other sites will be rendered as modern web sites. For a site to use IE mode, you need to either:

  • List the site in the Enterprise Mode Site List XML defined in one of these policies:
    • Microsoft Edge 78 or later, "Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List"
    • Internet Explorer, "Use the Enterprise Mode IE website list"

    Note

    We only process one Enterprise Mode Site List. The Microsoft Edge site list policy takes precedence over the Internet Explorer site list policy.

  • Configure the Send all intranet sites to Internet Explorer group policy and set it to Enabled (Microsoft Edge 77 or later.)

IE mode supports the following Internet Explorer functionality

  • All document modes and enterprise modes
  • ActiveX controls (such as Java or Silverlight). Note: Silverlight reaches end of support on October 12, 2021.
  • Browser Helper Objects
  • Internet Explorer settings and group policies that affect security zone settings and Protected Mode
  • F12 developer tools for IE, when launched with IEChooser
  • Microsoft Edge extensions (Extensions that interact with the IE page content directly are not supported.)

IE mode doesn't support the following Internet Explorer functionality

  • Internet Explorer toolbars
  • Internet Explorer settings and group policies that control the navigation menu.
  • IE11 or Microsoft Edge F12 developer tools

Prerequisites

The following prerequisites apply to using Microsoft Edge with IE mode.

Important

To ensure success, install the latest updates for Windows and Microsoft Edge. Failure to do so will likely cause IE mode to fail.

  1. The minimum system updates for the operating systems listed in the next table.
Operating system Version Updates
Windows 11
Windows 10 1909 or later
Windows 10 1903 KB4501375 or later
Windows Server 1903 KB4501375 or later
Windows 10 1809 KB4501371 or later
Windows Server 1809 KB4501371 or later
Windows Server 2019 KB4501371 or later
Windows 10 1803 KB4512509 or later
Windows 10 1709 KB4512494 or later
Windows 10 1607 KB4516061 or later
Windows Server 2016 KB4516061 or later
Windows 10 initial version, July 2015 KB4520011 or later
Windows 8 8.1 KB4507463 or later; or KB4511872 or later
Windows Server 2012 R2 KB4507463 or later; or KB4511872 or later
Windows 8 Embedded Install KB4492872 to upgrade to Internet Explorer 11; then install KB4507447 or later; or KB4511872 or later
Windows Server 2012 Install KB4492872 to upgrade to Internet Explorer 11; then install KB4507447 or later; or KB4511872 or later
Windows 7 SP1** KB4507437 or later; or KB4511872 or later
Windows Server 2008 R2** KB4507437 or later; or KB4511872 or later
  1. The Microsoft Edge administrative template. For more information, see Configure Microsoft Edge.
  2. Internet Explorer 11 enabled in Windows Features.

See also