What to Do If “Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge” Option Is Not Showing in Microsoft Edge
Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge: If you’ve recently opened Microsoft Edge and noticed that the “Open in Internet Explorer Mode” option is missing — you’re not alone.
Many users, especially those who regularly visit government or legacy websites, have reported that the Internet Explorer (IE) Mode suddenly disappeared from their Edge browser after recent updates.
Don’t worry — this isn’t a permanent removal.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through why this happens and how you can re-enable Internet Explorer Mode step by step in Microsoft Edge.
💡 Why Do You Need Internet Explorer Mode?
Several government and enterprise portals in India — like MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs), e-Mudhra, GeM, e-Tender, and others — still depend on older technologies that only work properly in Internet Explorer.
Since Microsoft officially retired Internet Explorer in 2022, the company integrated an IE Mode inside Edge so users can continue accessing these sites safely.
However, due to recent Edge updates or configuration resets, this mode may temporarily disappear from the menu.
⚠️ Common Reasons Why IE Mode Option Is Missing or Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge
Before jumping to the fix, here are a few possible causes:
- Edge browser recently updated and reset some default settings.
- “Allow IE Mode” policy was disabled automatically after an update.
- You haven’t added any sites to open in Internet Explorer Mode yet.
- You’re using an outdated Edge version that doesn’t fully support IE Mode.
Now let’s fix it.
🧩 Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge
Step 1: Open the Website You Want to Access
First, open Microsoft Edge and visit the website that you want to use in IE Mode — for example, the MCA portal or any e-Tender site.
Once the site loads, copy the full URL from the address bar.
You’ll need it in the next step.
Step 2: Open Microsoft Edge Settings
- Click on the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner of Microsoft Edge.
- From the dropdown menu, click Settings.
- In the left-side menu, choose Default Browser.
This is the section where IE Mode options are located.
Step 3: Add the Website to “Internet Explorer Mode Pages”
Scroll down until you see a section called Internet Explorer Mode Pages.
Now click Add a Page → paste the URL you copied earlier → click Add.
This tells Edge to always open that particular website in Internet Explorer Mode.
Step 4: Allow IE Mode to Be Reloaded
Just below that, you’ll find an option that says:
Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode (IE mode)
Make sure this option is set to Allow.
If it’s set to “Default” or “Don’t Allow,” change it immediately.
Step 5: Restart Microsoft Edge
After saving these settings, close and restart the browser.
Now, when you open your website again, you should see a small Internet Explorer icon in the address bar — confirming that your site is running in IE Mode.
🧠 Pro Tips for Stable IE Mode Access
- Always keep Microsoft Edge updated to the latest version.
- If IE Mode disappears again, go back to Settings → Default Browser → re-enable the Allow option.
- For office environments, check group policies (if IT-admin-controlled) that might block IE Mode.
- You can also create a shortcut for that site, so it always opens directly in IE Mode.
🧰 Advanced Option (For IT/Admin Users)
If you’re managing multiple systems in an organization and need IE Mode enabled for multiple sites:
- Create an Enterprise Mode Site List XML file.
- Specify the URLs that must open in IE Mode.
- Configure this list under edge://settings/defaultbrowser or via Group Policy.
This ensures consistency across all company devices.
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📚 Conclusion
The Internet Explorer Mode feature is a lifesaver for professionals who still rely on legacy websites.
Even though Microsoft has officially ended support for Internet Explorer, Edge keeps that compatibility alive through this built-in mode.
So next time your IE Mode option disappears — you know exactly how to bring it back!
Keep your browser updated, follow the above steps, and your government or enterprise sites will open smoothly again.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is Internet Explorer Mode not showing in Microsoft Edge?
This usually happens after a Microsoft Edge update or when the “Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer Mode” option is turned off in settings. It can also disappear if no sites have been added to open in IE Mode.
2. How do I enable Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge?
Go to Settings → Default Browser → Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer Mode (Allow). Then add your desired website under Internet Explorer Mode pages and restart the browser.
3. Can I permanently enable Internet Explorer Mode for certain websites?
Yes. You can add specific URLs under Internet Explorer Mode pages in Microsoft Edge settings. Once added, those sites will always open automatically in IE Mode for 30 days (renewable).
4. Is Internet Explorer Mode available on all versions of Microsoft Edge?
IE Mode is available only on Microsoft Edge (Chromium) versions 77 and above. If you are using an older version, update your browser first.
5. Why do government websites require Internet Explorer Mode?
Many government and legacy enterprise websites are built on older frameworks that rely on Internet Explorer’s rendering engine. IE Mode ensures those websites continue to work properly within Edge.
6. Can I use IE Mode on macOS or Linux?
No. Internet Explorer Mode is only supported on Windows versions of Microsoft Edge since it depends on Windows’ built-in IE components.
7. My website still doesn’t open correctly after enabling IE Mode. What should I do?
Try clearing cache and cookies, restart Edge, or check if your Windows system has Internet Explorer components enabled. You can also re-add the URL in IE Mode pages and restart again.
8. Will Microsoft remove IE Mode in the future?
As of now, Microsoft has committed to supporting Internet Explorer Mode in Edge until at least 2030. However, users are encouraged to transition to modern web technologies whenever possible.
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