If Internet Explorer automatically opens Microsoft Edge, the cause depends on what you did: Windows 11 redirects attempts to launch the standalone Internet Explorer app, while Internet Explorer can redirect particular sites on Microsoft’s list of sites that need Edge. For websites that still require Internet Explorer technologies, use IE mode inside Edge rather than trying to reinstall standalone Internet Explorer.
First identify what triggered the redirect
Three different actions can look like “Internet Explorer automatically redirects to Microsoft Edge.” Identifying which one occurred points to the right explanation:
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- You launched Internet Explorer itself. On Windows 11, a direct launch redirects to Edge. IE mode in Edge is the supported way to use Internet Explorer code there. Internet Explorer 11 support ended on June 15, 2022, and Microsoft directs users to Edge for sites that still need IE compatibility. Microsoft’s switch-to-Edge guidance explains the transition.
- You opened a particular site from Internet Explorer. Microsoft’s incompatible-site redirect applies to websites on its Need Microsoft Edge list; it does not mean every website is redirected by that mechanism. Microsoft’s guidance for moving users to Edge from Internet Explorer describes the list and the redirect experience.
- You followed a link from a page already open in IE mode. What happens next can depend on the organization’s IE mode configuration and Enterprise Mode Site List. That is different from launching IE or encountering a listed incompatible site.
A website may also display its own notice saying it works better in Edge. That message alone does not prove that Microsoft’s incompatible-site list caused the switch.
When a specific website redirects from Internet Explorer
Microsoft says the incompatible-site behavior applies to sites on its Need Microsoft Edge list. When a listed site redirects, Internet Explorer may close its tab if the tab had no previous content; otherwise, you may see a Microsoft help page explaining the redirect. Edge can display an information bar explaining that the site works best in a modern browser.
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Microsoft documents a process for requesting an update to its compatibility list in its guidance for moving users to Microsoft Edge. If you administer the affected environment, the list-based behavior can also be controlled through Edge policy; it is not simply a per-site user preference.
Open a legacy website in IE mode in Edge
IE mode is a feature inside Microsoft Edge that provides compatibility for sites needing Internet Explorer technologies. It is not a separate installation of the old browser.
- In Edge, open edge://settings/defaultBrowser.
- Look for the Internet Explorer compatibility option and enable it if available, then restart Edge when prompted.
- On a non-enterprise device running Edge version 141 or later, add the site to the IE mode pages list in the same settings area, then reload the site.
Labels and available controls can vary by Edge version. On a device managed by an organization, the compatibility setting may be grayed out. The option to reload a site in IE mode may also be unavailable if the organization does not allow unconfigured sites to use IE mode.
Why an IE mode page can switch back to Edge
Opening a site in IE mode does not necessarily keep every subsequent page in that mode. If you follow an in-page link to a site that is not in the Enterprise Mode Site List, the browser’s behavior can depend on the organization’s IE mode site-redirect policy. This explains a switch that occurs from within an IE mode session; it does not explain a direct Internet Explorer launch or every website redirect.
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For organization-managed PCs, ask your IT administrator whether the destination site belongs in the Enterprise Mode Site List and how the redirect behavior is configured. Microsoft’s IE mode deployment guidance describes using IE mode for legacy applications inside Edge.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What administrators can change
On Windows, administrators can configure Microsoft Edge’s RedirectSitesFromInternetExplorerRedirectMode policy to use the incompatible-site list or to disable redirects governed by that policy. Disabling this list-based redirect is not the same as restoring standalone Internet Explorer on Windows 11. Microsoft documents a separate, broader behavior: when IE11 is disabled, all navigations from IE11 redirect to Edge.
The policy applies to Windows, and a browser restart is required for a policy refresh. These are administrator settings, not a reliable way for an individual user to override organization controls. See Microsoft’s RedirectSitesFromInternetExplorerRedirectMode policy documentation and its guidance on disabling Internet Explorer 11.
Quick Recap
What to do if the setting is unavailable
- On a personal device: use Edge’s IE compatibility settings and add the specific site to the IE mode pages list if your Edge version and settings allow it.
- On a work or school device: contact the administrator. They may control the IE mode setting, the site list, and whether unlisted pages can be reloaded in IE mode.
- If Windows 11 opens Edge when you launch IE: use IE mode for the legacy site. Reinstalling standalone Internet Explorer is not the supported solution.
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