How To Use Internet Explorer in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Running Internet Explorer in Windows 11 feels kinda weird, but if there’s old legacy apps or weird corporate websites that still need IE, there’s a way to pull it off. Of course, Windows 11 dropped native IE support, but luckily, Microsoft rolled out IE mode within Edge, so that’s your workaround. Setting this up isn’t complicated, but it’s a bit tucked away in the settings, and you gotta enable a few toggles to make it work seamlessly.

How to Run Internet Explorer in Windows 11

So, here’s the gist. You basically turn on IE mode in Edge, then add the sites you want to open with that mode. That way, you get a sort of ‘retro’ browser experience without actually having IE installed. This works okay, but be aware it’s mainly for those stubborn legacy sites—not meant for daily browsing. On some setups, enabling IE mode and adding websites feels a bit fragile, sometimes you need to restart Edge or even reboot. Because of course, Windows has to make this just complicated enough.

Method 1: Enable IE Mode in Edge Settings

Open Microsoft Edge. You’ll find it either pinned on the taskbar or in the Start menu. Just click.
Head over to Settings: Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, then choose Settings.
Navigate to Default Browser: In the sidebar, click Default browser. This is where you configure how Edge handles things like IE mode.
Enable IE Mode: Look for Internet Explorer compatibility. Toggle on Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode. This setting is kinda hidden, but it’s vital — without it, IE mode doesn’t activate.
Add Websites to IE Mode: Scroll down to Internet Explorer mode pages. Click Add, then enter the URL of the old site or app you need. For example, http://legacy.app. Once added, Edge will automatically open that URL in IE mode whenever you visit it.

This seems straightforward, but sometimes after toggling that switch, Edge might need a restart. Other times, it works on the first try. Not sure why it acts differently on different machines, but it’s worth trying a quick restart of the browser or even the PC if it’s not sticking.

Method 2: Using Command Line to Force IE Mode

This one’s a bit more hit-or-miss, but if clicking around in settings fails, you can try launching Edge with specific flags. Not always necessary, but for power users:

msedge --ie-mode-test

On some setups, this command kicks IE mode into gear faster, especially if your settings are wonky. Just note, you might need to set some configs in about:flags or via group policy for finer control.

Tips for Running Internet Explorer in Windows 11

Check if your company or the website still needs IE — if it works with Edge’s IE mode, it’s probably safer than installing a deprecated browser.
Remember, IE mode uses the Edge engine underneath, so it’s secure-ish, but not for browsing random shady sites.
Always keep Edge updated; sometimes Microsoft adds improvements to IE mode in patches.
Use IE mode selectively — overusing it might expose you to some vulnerabilities, especially on older, unpatched sites.
If your legacy app is stubborn, try clearing cache or resetting site permissions in Edge; sometimes it fixes weird loading issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I find Internet Explorer in Windows 11?

Because it’s not included anymore. Instead, you use IE mode inside Edge for those old sites that need it — it’s basically the closest thing to IE on Win11.

Is IE mode secure inside Edge?

Yup, it’s using the Edge engine under the hood, so it’s as secure as Edge itself. But, since it’s primarily for compatibility, don’t use it for anything sensitive or untrusted sites.

Can I set IE mode as default for all sites?

Nope, that’s not how it works. You have to add specific sites to IE mode list. Otherwise, Edge stays in normal mode for everything.

How often should I update Edge?

Honestly, check for updates once a month or so—Microsoft pushes out security patches regularly. Keeping Edge fresh means IE mode works smoother too.

Are there alternatives to IE mode?

Potentially, yeah. If the sites are updated, maybe you can ditch IE altogether. But if you need that old web app running, IE mode is still your best bet—just don’t rely on it long-term.

Summary

Open Microsoft Edge.
Go to Settings (three-dot menu) → Default browser.
Flip the switch for Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode.
Add old sites to Internet Explorer mode pages list.

Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. It’s kinda clunky, but it works when you need it — at least for now. Good luck navigating the web’s old-school nooks and crannies in Windows 11.