Edge the Revival of IE: What It Means

Microsoft Edge’s revival of Internet Explorer’s core technology is about compatibility, not nostalgia. The new Edge, built on Chromium, includes an “IE mode” that lets organizations run legacy IE-only websites and apps inside a modern browser, while Microsoft ended support for the standalone Internet Explorer 11 on June 15, 2022. This article explains what IE mode is, how it works, who needs it, and how to decide if it’s right for you.

What Is IE Mode in Microsoft Edge?

IE mode is a feature built into Microsoft Edge that renders a webpage using the Trident engine—the same engine used by Internet Explorer 11—inside a tab of the modern Edge browser. It is designed for enterprises and institutions that rely on legacy web applications that only work in IE. Instead of maintaining a separate IE installation, users can open those sites in Edge with IE mode, which appears almost identical to a normal Edge tab but behaves like IE.

IE mode is not the same as running a virtual machine or an emulator. It is a native compatibility layer that loads the page with IE’s rendering and scripting capabilities, including ActiveX controls, Browser Helper Objects, and legacy document modes. Microsoft has committed to supporting IE mode through at least 2029, even though the standalone IE11 is no longer supported.

Why Did Microsoft Retire Internet Explorer?

Internet Explorer 11 was the last version of the browser, released in 2013. Over the years, IE fell behind modern web standards, making it slower and less secure than newer browsers. Microsoft built Edge as a replacement, first with its own EdgeHTML engine, then rebuilt it on Chromium in 2020. The Chromium-based Edge is faster, supports modern web features, and gets regular security updates.

Retiring IE was a deliberate strategy to push users to a more secure and capable browser. However, many organizations had spent years building internal tools that depended on IE-specific technologies. Simply removing IE would have broken those tools, so Microsoft created IE mode as a bridge. The goal is to keep legacy apps working while giving users the benefits of a modern browser.

How to Enable and Use IE Mode

IE mode is available in Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 and Windows 11. For individual users, it can be enabled in the browser’s settings, but for organizations, IT administrators typically configure it via Group Policy or Microsoft Intune. Here’s how a typical user would turn it on:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and go to Settings (click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner).
2. Select Default browser from the left sidebar.
3. Under “Internet Explorer compatibility,” set “Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode” to Allow.
4. Click Restart to apply the change.
5. After restart, visit a site that requires IE. Click the three-dot menu and choose Reload in Internet Explorer mode.

Once reloaded, the page will show an IE logo in the address bar. You can also configure a list of sites that always open in IE mode, either manually or through policy. Note that IE mode does not support all IE features—for example, it does not support ActiveX controls in some configurations, and it may not work with certain older plugins.

When Should You Use IE Mode?

IE mode is specifically for legacy web applications that rely on IE-only technologies. If your organization uses an internal HR system, a time-tracking tool, or a banking portal that only works in IE, IE mode is the intended solution. It is also useful for testing your own websites in IE-compatible mode without installing a separate VM.

However, for everyday browsing, you should not use IE mode. It is slower and less secure than Edge’s normal mode. Microsoft recommends using IE mode only for sites that genuinely need it. If you are a home user who just wants to view an old page, you are better off using a modern browser or a different compatibility tool.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that IE mode is the same as running Internet Explorer. It is not—it’s a compatibility mode within Edge, and it doesn’t include the full IE feature set. For example, IE mode does not support IE’s F12 developer tools; you use Edge’s DevTools instead, which have a special “Browser Mode” to emulate IE.

Another issue is that IE mode can be slow to load the first time, especially if the site uses many ActiveX controls. Also, some sites that use old Java applets or Silverlight may not work at all in IE mode because those plugins are no longer supported on modern Windows. If you encounter a site that won’t load, check whether it requires a plugin that is no longer available.

A third problem is that IE mode is not available on macOS or Linux. If you need IE compatibility on those platforms, you’ll need a virtual machine or a remote desktop solution. Microsoft has no plans to bring IE mode to non-Windows platforms.

IE Mode vs. Other Compatibility Options

Before IE mode, organizations used several other approaches to keep legacy apps alive:

• Virtual machines: Running a full Windows XP or Windows 7 VM with IE installed. This is the most reliable but requires significant resources and maintenance.
• Third-party emulators: Tools like Browsium or RetroBrowser that emulate IE within another browser. These can work but may have licensing costs and compatibility gaps.
• Re-engineering the app: Updating the legacy application to work with modern browsers. This is the best long-term solution but can be expensive and time-consuming.

IE mode is generally the easiest to deploy because it’s built into Edge, which is already installed on most Windows machines. It also receives security updates as part of Edge, so it’s safer than running an old IE in a VM. However, it’s not a permanent fix—Microsoft has set a retirement date for IE mode (currently 2029), so organizations should plan to migrate their legacy apps eventually.

Security and Support Considerations

IE mode is more secure than running Internet Explorer 11 standalone, because it runs inside Edge’s security sandbox and uses Edge’s update mechanism. However, it still uses the older Trident engine, which may have vulnerabilities that Microsoft patches on a slower cadence than the modern Edge engine. Microsoft has stated that IE mode will receive security updates as long as it is supported, but it is not as hardened as the standard Edge rendering engine.

For this reason, you should restrict IE mode to only the sites that need it. Do not set IE mode as the default for all sites. Also, ensure that your organization has a plan to eventually replace legacy apps. Microsoft’s support for IE mode is not indefinite, and relying on it forever is a risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IE mode the same as Internet Explorer?

No. IE mode is a compatibility feature within Microsoft Edge that uses the Trident engine to render pages. It does not include the full IE user interface or all IE features, but it does support most legacy web technologies like ActiveX.

Will IE mode work on my Mac?

No. IE mode is only available on Windows 10 and Windows 11. On macOS, you would need to run a Windows virtual machine or use a remote desktop service to access IE mode.

How long will IE mode be supported?

Microsoft has committed to supporting IE mode through at least 2029, but this could change. The company has not given a specific end date beyond that, so it’s wise to plan for eventual migration.

Can I use IE mode to test my website?

Yes, you can use IE mode to see how your site renders in IE. In Edge’s DevTools, you can also set the browser mode to “IE” to simulate different IE versions without leaving the normal Edge environment.

Does IE mode support ActiveX controls?

Yes, IE mode supports ActiveX controls, which is a primary reason it exists. However, some ActiveX controls may not work if they require older Windows APIs or if they are not compatible with Edge’s security settings.

How do I turn off IE mode?

To turn off IE mode, go to Edge Settings > Default browser and set “Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode” to “Don’t allow.” You can also remove sites from your IE mode site list in the same settings page.

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