Two Methods to Launch Internet Explorer (IE11) in Windows 11

If you are looking for ways to open or launch Internet Explorer in Windows 11, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss is it still possible to access or run Internet Explorer in Windows 11? If yes, what are ways to open IE in Windows 11?

Recently a workaround to launch IE11 in Windows 11 went viral on Internet. People got excited to get their hands on classic IE program in Windows 11 but is it really surprising to access IE in Windows 11? As usual, we’ll discuss it in details in this article.

Following screenshot shows IE11 running in our Windows 11 device:

Some time back, Microsoft discontinued or expired the good old Internet Explorer 11 and now Internet Explorer is not available in Windows 10 and Windows 11 any more. If you try to find Internet Explorer in Start Menu, Taskbar or Desktop, you’ll not get its shortcut. It has vanished.

Read More: Confused About Internet Explorer Retirement? Let Me Help!

If you try to launch Internet Explorer using iexplore.exe command in RUN dialog box or Search box, it redirects to modern Microsoft Edge web browser. So why does it happen?

Actually Microsoft wants everyone to switch to new Microsoft Edge browser which is Chromium based browser similar to popular Google Chrome. Microsoft Edge comes preinstalled or bundled with Windows 11 and it’s the default browser in Windows operating system.

That’s why Microsoft discontinued Internet Explorer and suggested IE users to move to Microsoft Edge browser.

Some websites are built only for Internet Explorer and might not work in Microsoft Edge or other browsers. To overcome this issue, Microsoft has implemented a special IE Mode feature in Microsoft Edge browser which allows Edge users to launch or open a website using IE rendering engine inside Edge. So basically IE Mode opens a website in Internet Explorer but inside Microsoft Edge browser.

Following article contains details about using IE Mode in Microsoft Edge browser:

[Tip] Enable Classic Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge Web Browser

Now let’s talk about the new workaround found to direct open Internet Explorer in Windows 11.

First Workaround to Open Internet Explorer in Windows 11

This method includes opening classic Internet Options window which is still present in Windows 11. This workaround was shared by Xeno @ Twitter (via The Verge).

Following are the required steps to open or access classic Internet Explorer in Windows 11:

STEP 1:

You need to open Internet Options window. You can search for it using Start Menu or open it using Control Panel (control.exe).

OR you can direct open Internet Options window using Inetcpl.cpl command in RUN dialog box.

STEP 2:

In Internet Options window, go to Programs tab and click on Manage Add-ons button.

STEP 3:

It’ll open Manage Add-ons window to enable/disable installed add-ons extensions in IE.

Now the trick is clicking on “Learn more about toolbars and extensions” link given at the bottom of the window.

As soon as you click on the link, it opens a webpage in Internet Explorer. The page is present at Microsoft Support website telling you how to manage add-ons in Internet Explorer 11.

Since you have opened IE in Windows 11, you can now use it to browse websites on Internet just like any other browser.

Theory Behind the Workaround to Run Internet Explorer in Windows 11

Now the question comes is it really surprising to get hands on IE in Windows 11? And how does it work?

The answer is NO. Microsoft never removed Internet Explorer from Windows 10 or Windows 11. If you look inside C:\Program Files folder in File Explorer, you’ll see the Internet Explorer folder present with all required files.

Microsoft has just removed all shortcuts of Internet Explorer from Start Menu, Taskbar, etc to hide IE from users and blocked all ways to access IE. Now all attempts to launch IE automatically redirect users to Microsoft Edge browser. Microsoft wants to restrict or prevent users from accessing IE in Windows.

In fact, Microsoft can’t remove Internet Explorer from Windows. Why? Because it’s required by other functionality and features of Windows. Internet Explorer is hardcoded in Windows shell and deleting or removing IE from Windows will cause crashes and issues.

Also Internet Explorer is required by IE Mode feature in Microsoft Edge, so Microsoft will keep Internet Explorer in future for sure.

Another Workaround to Launch Internet Explorer in Windows 11

I also found a way to launch IE 11 in Windows 11 a few months back when Microsoft discontinued Quick Assist app.

Here is how it works:

STEP 1:

Search for Quick Assist in Start Menu and open it.

STEP 2:

Now you’ll see a message “There’s a new version of Quick Assist” displaying inside Quick Assist window.

Press and hold Ctrl+Shift keys and click on “Get help here” link.

That’s it. It’ll open Internet Explorer window along with a Microsoft Edge window.

Now you can use IE 11 in Windows 11.

Exclusive Video of Running Internet Explorer in Windows 11

Here is an exclusive video featuring the new workaround live in action:

There might be many more such links present inside programs and options windows which can open IE11 in Windows 11.

Also Check:

[Tip] Block Users from Opening Internet Explorer and Redirect them to Microsoft Edge in Windows 10

[Fix] Internet Explorer Automatically Redirects to Microsoft Edge for Incompatible Websites