To use Internet Explorer on Windows 10 today, use Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge. In Edge, go to edge://settings/defaultBrowser, set Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode to Allow, and restart Edge. Then open the old site, select Settings and more (…), and choose Reload in Internet Explorer mode.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 27, 2026.
The Internet Explorer 11 app is retired and permanently disabled on most versions of Windows 10. If you try to open it, Windows opens Microsoft Edge. IE mode lets Edge show older sites that were built for Internet Explorer.
Turn on Internet Explorer mode
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Type
edge://settings/defaultBrowserin the address bar and press Enter. - Next to Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode (IE mode), choose Allow.
- Select Restart.
Open a site in IE mode
- Go to the site in Edge.
- Select Settings and more (…) in the top-right corner.
- Select Reload in Internet Explorer mode.
An Internet Explorer icon appears in the address bar while the page is in IE mode. To leave, select Leave on the bar at the top, or close the tab.
In newer versions of Edge, you may not see the menu option. Instead, go back to edge://settings/defaultBrowser, select Add next to Internet Explorer mode pages, and enter the site’s address. It then opens in IE mode for 30 days.
On a work PC
Your organization may control IE mode with a site list, so the setting can be greyed out. Sites on the list open in IE mode automatically. Ask your IT team if a site you need isn’t working.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reinstall Internet Explorer?
Not as a working browser. Microsoft disabled the app on most versions of Windows 10, so reinstalling it doesn’t bring it back. Use IE mode instead.
How long will IE mode keep working?
Microsoft says IE mode will be supported through at least 2029, with a year’s notice before it’s retired.
How do I remove the old Internet Explorer feature?
See how to disable or uninstall Internet Explorer on Windows 10. Removing it also turns off IE mode.
How do I make Edge my default browser?
See how to change the default browser in Windows 10.
On Windows 11, Internet Explorer can’t be opened. See how to open Internet Explorer sites in Windows 11 with IE mode.
Microsoft’s references are Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge and Lifecycle FAQ – Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.