How to Access Internet Explorer on Windows 11 (Yes, It’s Still There!)

Microsoft officially retired Internet Explorer (IE) on June 15, 2022, pushing users towards the modern, Chromium-based Microsoft Edge. However, remnants of IE’s core engine still linger within Windows 11. This article reveals precisely how you can leverage this hidden functionality to access Internet Explorer on your Windows 11 machine, offering a practical guide for users who need it for legacy web applications or specific compatibility reasons. We will also explore why IE is still relevant in certain situations and outline the best practices for using it safely and effectively on Windows 11.

Why Would You Still Need Internet Explorer? Understanding Legacy Web Applications

While modern browsers like Edge, Chrome, and Firefox offer superior performance, security, and features, many older websites and web applications were designed specifically for Internet Explorer and rely on technologies that are no longer supported by contemporary browsers. These legacy applications are particularly prevalent in enterprise environments, including internal company portals, older banking systems, and specialized industry software. Companies may face significant costs and disruptions if they are forced to immediately update or replace these systems. Therefore, accessing Internet Explorer, even on a newer operating system like Windows 11, can provide a crucial bridge to maintain compatibility and ensure business continuity. Some of the key reasons why you might need Internet Explorer include:

• ActiveX Controls: Many legacy applications rely on ActiveX controls, a technology that was heavily used by Internet Explorer but is not supported by modern browsers due to security concerns.
• Browser Helper Objects (BHOs): Similar to ActiveX controls, BHOs are add-ons that extend the functionality of Internet Explorer. Legacy applications might depend on specific BHOs for proper operation.
• Specific JavaScript Engines: Older web applications may have been designed to work with the specific JavaScript engine used by Internet Explorer. Modern JavaScript engines might interpret the code differently, leading to errors or unexpected behavior.
• Compatibility View: Internet Explorer’s “Compatibility View” allowed it to emulate older versions of the browser, ensuring that websites designed for those versions would render correctly. This feature is not available in modern browsers.

Accessing Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge: The Primary Method

The most straightforward way to access Internet Explorer functionality on Windows 11 is through Internet Explorer Mode (IE Mode) in Microsoft Edge. This built-in feature leverages the IE11 engine directly within the Edge browser, allowing you to load legacy websites and applications that require IE compatibility. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Enable IE Mode in Edge Settings:

   • Open Microsoft Edge.
   • Click on the three dots (ellipsis) in the upper-right corner to access the menu.
   • Select “Settings.”
   • In the left-hand menu, click on “Default browser.”
   • Locate the “Let Internet Explorer mode (IE mode) reload sites in Edge” option.
   • Use the dropdown menu to select “Allow.” A restart of Edge is required after this change. Click the “Restart” button that appears.

2. Reloading a Site in IE Mode:

   • Navigate to the website that requires IE compatibility in Microsoft Edge.
   • Click on the three dots (ellipsis) in the upper-right corner of the Edge window.
   • Select “Reload in Internet Explorer mode.” The page will reload using the IE engine within the Edge browser. An IE icon will appear to the left of the address bar, indicating that the page is running in IE Mode.

3. Configuring IE Mode Pages to Open Automatically: For frequently used legacy sites, you can configure Edge to automatically open them in IE Mode. This eliminates the need to manually reload each page every time.

   • Accessing IE Mode Settings: Return to the “Default browser” settings page in Microsoft Edge (as described in Step 1).
   • Adding IE Mode Pages: Locate the “Internet Explorer mode (IE mode) pages” section.
   • Click the “Add” button.
   • Enter the URL of the website you want to open in IE Mode.
   • Click “Add” to save the setting.

   Edge will now automatically open the specified website in IE Mode whenever you navigate to it. You can manage these settings and remove or edit entries as needed. Note that IE mode pages are only cached for a limited time (typically 30 days), after which Edge will prompt you to reload the page in IE mode again.

4. Troubleshooting IE Mode Issues: If you encounter problems with IE Mode, consider the following:

   • Clear Browser Cache and Cookies: Corrupted cache data can sometimes interfere with IE Mode. Clear the cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge (Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data).
   • Check Enterprise Mode Site List: In enterprise environments, IE Mode may be controlled by a centrally managed Enterprise Mode Site List. Consult your IT administrator to ensure that the website is properly configured in the list.
   • Update Microsoft Edge: Ensure that you are using the latest version of Microsoft Edge. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements to IE Mode compatibility.
   • Review Compatibility Settings: In some cases, specific compatibility settings within IE Mode might need to be adjusted. You can access these settings by pressing F12 to open the Developer Tools, then navigating to the “Emulation” tab.

Directly Accessing the Internet Explorer Engine (IExplore.exe)

While Microsoft has officially retired the Internet Explorer application, the core IE engine (IExplore.exe) is still present in Windows 11 for compatibility purposes. It is possible to directly access this executable, although the functionality is limited, and Microsoft discourages this method.

1. Locating IExplore.exe: The Internet Explorer executable (IExplore.exe) is typically located in the “C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer” directory. You can access this directory using File Explorer.

2. Running IExplore.exe: Double-clicking IExplore.exe will launch Internet Explorer. However, you may encounter a message stating that Internet Explorer is deprecated and recommending that you use Microsoft Edge.

3. Using IExplore.exe for Specific Tasks: Despite the deprecation message, you can still use IExplore.exe for certain tasks, such as:

   • Opening Local HTML Files: You can open local HTML files by dragging and dropping them onto the IExplore.exe window or by using the “File” > “Open” menu.
   • Testing Web Pages in IE Engine: Developers can use IExplore.exe to quickly test how their web pages render in the IE engine.
   • Accessing Intranet Sites: In some cases, IExplore.exe may be required to access certain intranet sites that are not fully compatible with modern browsers.

Important Considerations:

• Security Risks: Using IExplore.exe directly poses significant security risks, as it is no longer actively supported with security updates. Avoid using it for general web browsing or accessing sensitive websites.
• Limited Functionality: The functionality of IExplore.exe is limited compared to modern browsers. Many modern web technologies and features are not supported.
• Microsoft’s Recommendation: Microsoft strongly recommends using IE Mode in Edge instead of directly accessing IExplore.exe.

Leveraging Compatibility View Settings within Internet Explorer Mode

Internet Explorer’s Compatibility View feature was designed to allow the browser to emulate older versions, ensuring proper rendering of websites designed for those legacy platforms. This functionality is also available within IE Mode in Microsoft Edge, and configuring it correctly can resolve compatibility issues for specific websites.

1. Accessing Compatibility View Settings:

   • Open Microsoft Edge and ensure that the website you want to configure is running in IE Mode (as described earlier).
   • Press the “Alt” key to display the menu bar (if it is hidden).
   • Click on “Tools” in the menu bar.
   • Select “Compatibility View settings.”

2. Adding Websites to the Compatibility View List:

   • In the “Compatibility View settings” dialog box, you can add specific websites to the Compatibility View list.
   • Enter the URL of the website you want to add.
   • Click the “Add” button.

   When a website is added to the Compatibility View list, Internet Explorer Mode will automatically render the website using compatibility settings designed for older versions of IE.

3. Using the “Display intranet sites in Compatibility View” Option:

   • The “Display intranet sites in Compatibility View” option can be useful for resolving compatibility issues with internal company websites.
   • Select the checkbox to enable this option.

   This will force IE Mode to render all intranet sites using Compatibility View settings.

4. Using the “Use Microsoft compatibility lists” Option:

   • The “Use Microsoft compatibility lists” option allows IE Mode to automatically use compatibility settings defined by Microsoft for specific websites.
   • Select the checkbox to enable this option.

   Microsoft maintains a list of websites that require specific compatibility settings, and this option ensures that IE Mode uses those settings automatically.

Utilizing Group Policy to Manage Internet Explorer Mode in Enterprise Environments

In enterprise environments, IT administrators can use Group Policy to centrally manage Internet Explorer Mode settings for all users within the organization. This allows for consistent configuration and ensures that legacy applications are properly supported.

1. Accessing Group Policy Editor:

   • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
   • Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor. (Note: This is only available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. For Home editions, you will need to use alternative methods to access Group Policy settings.)

2. Navigating to IE Mode Settings:

   • In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge\Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode

3. Configuring IE Mode Settings:

   • Double-click on the “Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List” policy setting.
   • Select the “Enabled” option.
   • In the “Options” section, enter the path to the Enterprise Mode Site List XML file. This file contains a list of websites that should be opened in IE Mode, along with their specific compatibility settings.

4. Creating the Enterprise Mode Site List XML File:

   • The Enterprise Mode Site List XML file must be created according to a specific schema defined by Microsoft.
   • The file specifies the URLs of websites that should be opened in IE Mode, along with compatibility settings such as the document mode and the browser version to emulate.

   Microsoft provides tools and documentation to help IT administrators create and manage the Enterprise Mode Site List XML file.

Considerations for Security and Best Practices When Using Internet Explorer Mode

While IE Mode in Microsoft Edge provides a way to access legacy web applications, it’s crucial to prioritize security and follow best practices to minimize risks:

• Limit IE Mode Usage: Only use IE Mode for websites and applications that absolutely require it. Avoid using it for general web browsing.
• Keep Microsoft Edge Updated: Regularly update Microsoft Edge to ensure that you have the latest security patches and bug fixes. This helps protect against vulnerabilities in the IE engine.
• Use a Standard User Account: Avoid using an administrator account when browsing in IE Mode. This reduces the potential impact of malware or malicious websites.
• Enable Enhanced Security Configuration: If possible, enable Enhanced Security Configuration (ESC) for Internet Explorer Mode. ESC restricts the ability of websites to run scripts and access system resources, further reducing the risk of security breaches.
• Monitor IE Mode Usage: Regularly monitor IE Mode usage to identify any unusual activity or potential security threats.

Alternatives to Internet Explorer Mode

While IE Mode is the primary method for accessing Internet Explorer functionality on Windows 11, several alternatives can be considered, depending on your specific needs:

• Virtual Machines: Running an older version of Windows (e.g., Windows 7 or Windows XP) in a virtual machine provides a completely isolated environment for accessing Internet Explorer. This can be useful for running legacy applications that are not compatible with IE Mode.
• Compatibility Testers: Tools like BrowserStack and Sauce Labs allow you to test your websites and web applications in various browsers, including older versions of Internet Explorer.
• Code Modernization: If possible, consider modernizing your legacy web applications to make them compatible with modern browsers. This can involve updating the code to use modern web technologies and removing dependencies on ActiveX controls and other outdated components.

Conclusion: Leveraging Internet Explorer Functionality Safely and Effectively on Windows 11

Although Microsoft has officially retired Internet Explorer, its core engine remains accessible within Windows 11 through Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge and, to a limited extent, through the IExplore.exe executable. By understanding how to leverage these methods safely and effectively, users can maintain compatibility with legacy web applications while benefiting from the security and features of modern browsers. Remember to prioritize security, follow best practices, and consider alternatives when appropriate.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to accessing Internet Explorer functionality on Windows 11. We have explored the reasons why you might still need IE, detailed the steps for using IE Mode in Edge, discussed the implications of directly accessing IExplore.exe, and outlined security considerations and best practices. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a smooth and secure transition to Windows 11 while maintaining access to your legacy web applications.