Yes, Windows 11 does have an Internet Explorer mode, but it is not the standalone Internet Explorer browser; instead, it is a compatibility feature within Microsoft Edge. 1. IE mode allows loading websites using the old IE11 engine for legacy systems. 2. It supports outdated technologies like ActiveX and VBScript. 3. To enable it, go to Edge Settings > Default browser mode and set it to Internet Explorer mode. 4. It is mainly intended for businesses with older internal tools or developers testing legacy apps. 5. Microsoft ended full IE support in June 2022, so IE mode may not be available forever. 6. Using IE mode frequently may pose security risks due to outdated web standards.

Yes, Windows 11 does have an Internet Explorer mode — but it’s not what you might expect if you're used to the classic Internet Explorer. Microsoft has been pushing users toward its newer browser, Microsoft Edge, for years now. However, to support legacy websites and internal business tools that still rely on older web technologies, they included a compatibility feature called Internet Explorer mode (IE mode) in Edge.

What is Internet Explorer mode in Windows 11?

Internet Explorer mode isn’t a full return of the standalone Internet Explorer browser. Instead, it's a built-in feature inside Microsoft Edge that allows certain websites to be loaded using the old IE11 engine. This is mainly for businesses or users who still need to access outdated internal tools or third-party sites that only work with Internet Explorer.

When enabled, IE mode appears as a tab within Edge, and it supports legacy technologies like ActiveX controls and VBScript — things modern browsers no longer handle.

How to enable Internet Explorer mode in Edge

If you need to use IE mode, here’s how to turn it on:

• Open Microsoft Edge.
• Click the three dots in the top-right corner to open the menu.
• Go to Settings > Default browser mode.
• Under “Internet Explorer compatibility,” set the default to Internet Explorer mode (optional).
• You can also choose whether to allow IE mode for specific sites via the IE mode site list manager.

You don't need to install anything extra — it's built into Edge on Windows 11 by default.

Note: If your system doesn't show this option, it might be because group policies are blocking it, especially on managed business devices.

When should you use IE mode?

Most everyday users won’t ever need IE mode. It’s mostly relevant for:

• People working in organizations with old internal systems.
• Developers testing legacy applications.
• Users accessing niche tools that haven’t been updated in years.

Even if you find a site that seems broken in Edge, try checking if there's a modern alternative before resorting to IE mode.

A few important details

• IE mode is being phased out – Microsoft ended full support for Internet Explorer in June 2022, so even IE mode may not be available forever.
• Some features from the original IE won’t work perfectly — especially plugins or very old code.
• Running IE mode frequently could expose your system to outdated web standards and potential security risks.

So while yes, Windows 11 does include Internet Explorer mode, it’s best used sparingly and only when absolutely necessary.

Basically, it's there for backward compatibility, not daily browsing — and it won't feel quite like the old IE you remember.

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