Need to open an internal portal or older web app that expects Internet Explorer? Internet Explorer, Microsoft's browser that shipped with Windows from 1995, still opens sites that rely on older document modes or ActiveX controls. Microsoft ended support for its last version, IE11, on June 15, 2022, and now recommends IE mode in Edge for those sites.
Opening older web applications
Some workplace, institutional, or government portals were built for Internet Explorer’s older rendering behavior. Pages that depend on ActiveX controls or specific document modes may behave differently in browsers with newer engines. In IE they still run as originally built.
The browser’s compatibility features are aimed at older pages, not at bringing every modern website feature into line. Websites built around current standards may display or work differently.
How do tabs and Favorites fit into browsing?
Tabs let you keep several pages open in one browser window, such as an internal dashboard alongside a reference page. The address bar is used to enter a site or search, while Favorites store links for later visits.
- Open a separate tab when you need another page without opening another browser window.
- Save frequently used legacy portals in Favorites for direct access.
- Use the browser’s RSS support to subscribe to feeds from sites that publish them.
Security and feed tools
Internet Explorer includes an anti-phishing filter that warns about sites identified as fraudulent. Protected Mode runs web pages with low privileges, so malicious code can't easily change system files.
RSS subscriptions let supported websites deliver feed updates inside the browser. New posts then show up in the Favorites Center.
Pros
- Tabbed browsing keeps multiple pages in one browser window
- Favorites provide quick access to saved websites
- RSS feed subscriptions collect updates from supported sites
Cons
- Support ended on June 15, 2022
- Many modern websites no longer work in it
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 · 32-bit and 64-bit · Windows 7 requires SP1 · Windows 8.1 requires Update · Windows 10: minimum 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit) · Windows 8.1: minimum 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit) · Windows 7: minimum 512 MB RAM
Is Internet Explorer still supported?
No. Support for IE11 ended on June 15, 2022, and later Edge updates disabled it on most Windows 10 versions.
Does Internet Explorer work on Windows 11?
No. Windows 11 has no IE desktop app; legacy sites open through IE mode in Microsoft Edge.
What does Protected Mode do?
It runs pages with low privileges to keep malicious code away from system files.
