How to Use Compatibility Mode in Microsoft Edge

Compatibility mode in Microsoft Edge lets you load older websites that were built for Internet Explorer and may not display correctly in a modern browser. This guide shows you how to turn it on, use it, and fix common issues. You’ll need a Windows PC with Microsoft Edge installed, and the site you want to open must be accessible in your browser.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Edge (any recent version, updated regularly)
Windows 10 or Windows 11
The URL of the legacy site you need to access

Step-by-Step

Open Microsoft Edge. Click the Edge icon on your taskbar or Start menu.
Navigate to the website that isn’t displaying correctly. Type the URL in the address bar and press Enter.
Open the Settings and more menu. Click the three-dot icon (⋯) in the top-right corner of the browser window.
Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
Go to “Default browser” in the left sidebar. If you don’t see it, click the hamburger icon (≡) at the top left to expand the menu.
Find the “Internet Explorer compatibility” section. Look for a toggle or dropdown labeled “Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode.”
Turn on the toggle (or select “Allow” from the dropdown). If prompted, click “Restart” to apply the change. Edge will reopen with the setting active.
Go back to the website that needs compatibility mode.
Open the three-dot menu again (top-right), and look for “Reload in Internet Explorer mode.” Click it.
Confirm the reload if a dialog appears. The page will reload in IE mode, and you’ll see an IE icon in the address bar (a blue ‘e’ symbol).
To stop using IE mode for that site, click the IE icon in the address bar and select “Exit” or “Leave IE mode.” The page will reload in normal Edge mode.

Common Mistakes

Not enabling the setting first. The “Reload in IE mode” option only appears after you turn on the compatibility toggle in Settings. If you don’t see it, go back to Settings and enable it.
Confusing IE mode with enterprise mode. The toggle you need is specifically for IE mode. Some users accidentally enable “Enterprise mode site list” which is for managed devices and requires a special configuration file.
Forgetting to restart Edge. The setting may not take effect until you restart the browser. Always restart Edge after changing the toggle.
Using it on modern sites. IE mode is only for legacy sites that break in Edge. Using it on modern sites can cause security risks and display issues.
Expecting it to work on all sites. IE mode is not available for every site—some sites may block it, or the feature may be disabled by your organization’s policy.

Tips

Use the address bar icon. After enabling IE mode, you can quickly reload a site in IE mode by clicking the three-dot menu and selecting “Reload in Internet Explorer mode”—no need to go to Settings each time.
Pin the IE mode button. In the three-dot menu, you can right-click “Reload in Internet Explorer mode” and select “Show in toolbar” to add a one-click button.
Set it for a specific site permanently. If you frequently visit a legacy site, you can add it to the “IE mode site list” in Settings > Default browser > “IE mode site list”. This requires a text file with the site URLs, but it saves time.
Use keyboard shortcut. Press Alt + F to open the menu, then type “reload” to find the option quickly.
Check for updates. Edge updates automatically, but if IE mode isn’t working, make sure you’re on the latest version (Settings > About Microsoft Edge).

Troubleshooting

If the page doesn’t reload in IE mode or the option is grayed out:

Restart Edge completely. Close all Edge windows and reopen it. Sometimes the setting needs a fresh start.
Check if your organization blocks it. If you’re on a work or school computer, the admin may have disabled IE mode. You’ll see a message like “Your organization has turned off Internet Explorer mode.” Contact your IT department.
Try a different site. Some sites may not support IE mode because they use features that are incompatible. Test with a known legacy site like a government or banking portal.
Clear your cache. Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data. Select “Cached images and files” and clear. Then reload the site.
Check the IE mode icon. If the icon doesn’t appear, the site may have automatically switched to IE mode but the icon is hidden. Click the padlock icon next to the address bar to see site permissions.
Reset Edge settings. As a last resort, go to Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their default values. This will disable IE mode, so you’ll need to re-enable it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IE mode in Edge?

IE mode uses the Internet Explorer engine to render a webpage inside Edge, letting you access old sites that rely on ActiveX, VBScript, or other legacy technologies that modern browsers don’t support.

Is IE mode safe to use?

IE mode is designed for compatibility, but it carries the same security risks as Internet Explorer. Use it only for trusted sites and exit IE mode when you’re done.

Will IE mode work on Mac or Linux?

No, IE mode is only available on Windows. Edge on Mac or Linux doesn’t support this feature.

Can I make a site always open in IE mode?

Yes, you can add a site to the IE mode site list in Settings. You’ll need to create a simple text file with the URLs, then point Edge to that file.

Why is the “Reload in IE mode” option missing?

You haven’t enabled the toggle in Settings > Default browser. Go there and turn on “Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode,” then restart Edge.

How do I exit IE mode?

Click the IE icon in the address bar and select “Exit” or “Leave IE mode.” The page will reload in normal Edge mode.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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