You cannot enable, install, or download the retired standalone Internet Explorer desktop browser for normal use in Windows 11. If an older website requires Internet Explorer, Microsoft’s supported solution is Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge. Open Edge, go to Settings > Default browser, allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode, restart Edge if prompted, and then add or reload the legacy site in IE mode.
Can You Enable Internet Explorer in Windows 11?
Not as the old standalone Internet Explorer desktop browser. Microsoft ended support for Internet Explorer 11 on many versions of Windows on June 15, 2022 and directs users who still need legacy Internet Explorer compatibility to Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge. See Microsoft’s IE mode page for the current steps.
IE mode is designed for older websites and business applications that depend on Internet Explorer technologies. For ordinary browsing, use Microsoft Edge or another modern supported browser.
How to Enable Internet Explorer Mode in Edge on Windows 11
The exact options you see can vary with your Edge version and whether your computer is managed by a workplace or school. Start with these steps.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge.
Launch Microsoft Edge on your Windows 11 PC.
Step 2: Open the Default browser settings.
Click the three-dot Settings and more button, choose Settings, and select Default browser. You can also type edge://settings/defaultBrowser in the Edge address bar.
Step 3: Allow Internet Explorer mode.
Under Internet Explorer compatibility, find the option that allows sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode and choose Allow if that option is available.
Step 4: Restart Edge if requested.
If Edge displays a Restart button after you change the setting, click it so the new compatibility setting takes effect. If no button appears, see how to restart Microsoft Edge for the other ways to close and reopen the browser.
Step 5: Add or reload the legacy website in IE mode.
On current non-enterprise versions of Edge, Microsoft may provide an Internet Explorer mode pages section on the Default browser settings page. Add the address of the legacy website there, then visit or reload the site.
On managed work or school computers, your organization can configure IE mode through policy. Depending on that configuration, you may instead see a Reload in Internet Explorer mode command when you open a legacy site.
How to Tell If a Website Is Using IE Mode
When a page is loaded in Internet Explorer mode, Edge displays an Internet Explorer indicator for the page. You can use the IE mode information shown by Edge to confirm that the legacy compatibility mode is active.
If the page simply looks old or does not work correctly, that does not prove IE mode is active. Check the Edge interface for the IE mode indicator.
Why Is “Reload in Internet Explorer Mode” Missing?
The missing command does not necessarily mean IE mode is unavailable. Microsoft has changed the consumer IE-mode workflow in newer Edge releases, and managed computers can use organization-controlled policies instead.
- Check edge://settings/defaultBrowser for the current Internet Explorer compatibility controls.
- On a personal PC, look for the Internet Explorer mode pages list and add the legacy site there when that option is provided.
- On a work or school PC, contact the administrator if IE-mode controls are missing or locked.
- Make sure Microsoft Edge is current before troubleshooting an option that appears different from older instructions.
Can You Install or Download Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 11?
For normal Windows 11 use, downloading an old Internet Explorer installer is not the supported solution. The standalone Internet Explorer desktop application has been retired, and Microsoft directs legacy-site compatibility needs to IE mode in Edge.
Avoid third-party websites that claim to provide Internet Explorer downloads for Windows 11. If your goal is to use an old website that requires IE, configure Edge IE mode instead.
What If Searching Windows 11 for Internet Explorer Opens Edge?
That behavior is expected on modern Windows 11 systems. You should not rely on old tutorials that tell you to search the Start menu for Internet Explorer and launch the retired desktop browser. Open Microsoft Edge and use IE mode for a legacy site instead.
How to Leave Internet Explorer Mode
If you no longer need IE compatibility for a site, use the IE mode controls in Edge to return the page to normal Microsoft Edge browsing. If you manually added the site to the Internet Explorer mode pages list, you can also remove it from that list in Settings > Default browser.
IE Mode on Work and School Computers
Organizations can centrally manage Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge. An administrator may control which legacy sites open in IE mode, whether users can reload sites manually, and how long those compatibility settings remain available.
If Edge says that your browser is managed by your organization or the IE-mode settings are unavailable, follow your organization’s instructions rather than trying to bypass those policies.
Is Internet Explorer Mode Going Away?
Internet Explorer itself is retired, but Microsoft has committed to supporting Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge through at least 2029. Microsoft says it will provide notice before IE mode is retired.
Tips for Using IE Mode Safely
- Use IE mode only when needed: Modern sites should normally be opened in the regular Edge mode.
- Keep Edge updated: Current Edge releases receive security and compatibility updates.
- Use the official Edge settings: Do not install unofficial Internet Explorer downloads.
- Check with your administrator: Business legacy applications may require organization-specific IE-mode policies.
- Plan to modernize: If you control a site or application that still requires IE technologies, treat IE mode as compatibility support rather than a permanent replacement for modern web standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Windows 11 include Internet Explorer?
Windows 11 does not provide the old standalone Internet Explorer desktop browser for normal browsing. Microsoft Edge includes IE mode for supported legacy-site compatibility.
Is IE mode the same as Internet Explorer?
No. You remain inside Microsoft Edge, but IE mode uses Internet Explorer compatibility technology for legacy sites that require it.
Why do I still need IE mode?
Some older business websites and applications were built around Internet Explorer-specific technologies and do not work correctly in a standard modern-browser tab.
Can I make every website open in IE mode?
IE mode is intended for legacy compatibility, not everyday web browsing. Use regular Edge mode for modern websites and limit IE mode to sites that actually require it.
What should I do if IE mode is controlled by my organization?
Contact your workplace or school administrator. Enterprise IE-mode settings can be managed centrally, so the controls available on a personal Windows 11 PC may not appear on a managed device.
Related Edge guides: how to clear the cache in Edge and how to make Google the default search in Edge.
If an old site in IE mode still won’t load properly, see how to add trusted sites in Edge on Windows 11.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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