Microsoft deprecated Internet Explorer in favor of Edge Chromium in recent builds of Windows 10. The new browser, which comes with a plethora of cool new features also includes a compatibility mode for the Trident MSHTML engine from Internet Explorer 11. Known as ‘IE Mode‘, the feature helps load old websites and supports old applications that haven’t been updated to work with the Chromium-based software (or other newer browsers). So today, we will show you how to enable or activate IE Mode in Microsoft Edge Chromium via in-app settings and through the Windows Group Policy Editor for better compatibility with older apps and services.

Aimed largely at enterprises that still run apps and intranet sites written for Internet Explorer, the IE Mode is available in both the legacy Edge based on the EdgeHTML engine, as well as on Edge Chromium, which started rolling out on Windows 10 early last year before being expanded to other desktop and mobile platforms. However, since the legacy Edge itself has been deprecated, our tutorial will deal exclusively with Edge Chromium. So without further delay, let’s check out how you can enable or activate IE Mode in Microsoft Edge Chromium on your Windows 10 PC.

  • What is IE Mode in Microsoft Edge Chromium?
  • Method 1: Using In-app Settings
  • Method 2: Using Local Group Policy Editor

What is IE Mode in Microsoft Edge Chromium?

IE (Internet Explorer) Mode on Microsoft Edge Chromium is a compatibility mode that helps the browser render older sites and webpages written for Internet Explorer. It also enables enterprise users to use all of the sites their organization needs in a single browser.

You can easily enable IE Mode (Internet Explorer mode) on Microsoft Edge Chromium using in-app settings in a few simple steps. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Open MS Edge Chromium in full-screen mode and click on the ‘More’ button (three dots) on the top-right corner. On the popup menu, click on Settings.

Method 2: Using Local Group Policy Editor

You can also enable IE Mode on Microsoft Edge Chromium with Group Policy. However, to do that, you will have to download the policy template from the official Microsoft website. Here’s how you go about it:

Note: If you don’t have an Enterprise Mode site list, download the Enterprise Mode Site List Manger v2 from Microsoft (free). Make sure to specify your language before downloading.

The guide above works for Microsoft Edge Chromium v77.0.223 or higher (the latest version is Edge 88) in Windows 10 v1903 with KB4503293 or higher and KB4501375 or higher or v1809 with KB4509479 or higher. Once you enable IE mode, you will be able to run older websites and intranet pages, while still loading newer websites using Chromium.