Microsoft’s new Edge browser is great, it features a redesigned user interface, faster performance, and improved support for extensions. However, if you’re in an enterprise or business, there is one feature in the new Edge that you’ll also likely appreciate — Internet Explorer mode.
With Internet Explorer Mode (IE Mode) in the new Microsoft Edge, you’ll get a simplified experience that combines a modern rendering engine with compatibility for legacy websites. IE Mode also provides an integrated browsing experience in Microsoft Edge, using the integrated Chromium engine for modern sites and leveraging Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) for legacy sites that require the Trident MSHTML engine.
In this guide, we’ll cut through the steps and show you how you can use Internet Explorer Mode in the new Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Enable the Edge Flag for IE Mode
To get started with IE Mode in the new Microsoft Edge, you’ll first need to enable it with a flag. Open up the browser, and visit the following address: edge://flags/#edge-internet-explorer-integration. You should then see a line on the top saying Enable IE Integration. You’ll want to click on the box next to that line and select IE Mode from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Create a Shortcut for Edge on your desktop
Next up, you’ll want to create a shortcut for Edge on your desktop. Or, if one is already there, you’ll need to edit it. You can create a shortcut by opening your Start Menu, finding Microsoft Edge, and dragging it onto the desktop. Once done, you’ll need to edit it. Right-click the icon, choose properties and add the following text to the end of the text seen in the target box.
–ie-mode-test
Once you add that text, be sure to click Apply, and then OK. You might need to click Continue in the pop-up box, and You’ll then need to restart Edge if it’s open.
Step 3: Use Internet Explorer Mode
Now that you’ve enabled the flag and tweaked the shortcut, you’ll have access to IE Mode in Edge. Once done, you can get into IE mode by opening the website you want to access in this mode, head to the Edge settings menu (the …) choose more tools and then open sites in Internet Explorer mode. Once chosen, this website will open in IE mode every time. You’ll know that you’re in IE mode when you see the Internet Explorer icon in the taskbar.
Some notes
The steps we mentioned here is a workaround for novice users, so you might notice a message on the screen warning you about stability and performance issues. There’s no need to worry, though, as we’ve tried this method and Edge continues to work fine throughout.
More experienced users and IT pros can enable a group policy for IE mode by checking Microsoft’s directions here. This involves downloading the Microsoft Edge Policy Template, opening the Local Group Policy Editor, and switching some settings. Not everyone will be familiar with those steps or methods, so it might be easier to try our method above.
It’s also important to note that IE mode supports most of Internet Explorer’s functionalities. That includes ActiveX controls, Browser Help Objects, and IEChooser. However, IE Mode won’t support Internet Explorer toolbars, Internet Explorer settings and Group Policies that affect the navigation menu, or IE11 or Microsoft Edge F12 developer tools.
