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Microsoft Edge vs. Internet Explorer. There have been many versions of both Internet Explorer (IE) and Microsoft Edge. For this particular comparison, we shall deal with the latest versions of each. Currently, Microsoft Edge is still under construction though it is available for use, and as mentioned, we’ll be comparing it with Internet.

Note

See what's new on the latest version of the Microsoft Edge browser. Explore features, rewards, and more before you download the browser today. The reimagined web Explore amazing new websites built in collaboration with Internet Explorer. From the slopes of Mount Everest to the stunning world of Contre Jour, experience the beauty of the web in Internet Explorer. See the sites Don't miss out Make Internet Explorer your default browser. Surf the web with the fast, fluid, perfect for.

You've reached the documentation for Microsoft Edge version 45 and earlier. To see the documentation for Microsoft Edge version 77 or later, go to the Microsoft Edge documentation landing page.

Microsoft Edge is the default browser experience for Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile. However, Microsoft Edge lets you continue to use IE11 for sites that are on your corporate intranet or included on your Enterprise Mode Site List. If you are running web apps that continue to use ActiveX controls, x-ua-compatible headers, or legacy document modes, you need to keep running them in IE11. IE11 offers additional security, manageability, performance, backward compatibility, and modern standards support.

Tip

If you are running an earlier version of Internet Explorer, we recommend upgrading to IE11, so that any legacy apps continue to work correctly. At-sky driver download.

Technology not supported by Microsoft Edge

• ActiveX controls

• Browser Helper Objects

• VBScript

• Crestron others driver download. x-ua-compatible headers

• <meta> tags

• Legacy document modes

If you have specific websites and apps that you know have compatibility problems with Microsoft Edge, you can use the Enterprise Mode site list so that the websites automatically open using Internet Explorer 11. Additionally, if you know that your intranet sites aren't going to work correctly with Microsoft Edge, you can set all intranet sites to open using IE11 automatically.

Using Enterprise Mode means that you can continue to use Microsoft Edge as your default browser, while also ensuring that your apps continue working on IE11.

Relevant group policies

You can find the Microsoft Edge Group Policy settings in the following location of the Group Policy Editor unless otherwise noted in the policy:

Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsMicrosoft Edge

Configuration options

Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List

Supported versions: Microsoft Edge on Windows 10
Default setting: Disabled or not configured

Microsoft Edge does not support ActiveX controls, Browser Helper Objects, VBScript, or other legacy technology. If you have sites or apps that use this technology, you can configure Microsoft Edge to check the Enterprise Mode Site List XML file that lists the sites and domains with compatibility issues and switch to IE11 automatically. You can use the same site list for both Microsoft Edge and IE11, or you can use separate lists. By default, Microsoft Edge ignores the Enterprise Mode and the Enterprise Mode Site List XML file. In this case, users might experience problems while using legacy apps. These sites and domains must be viewed using Internet Explorer 11 and Enterprise Mode.

Supported values

ADMX info and settings

ADMX info

• GP English name: Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List
• GP name: EnterpriseModeSiteList
• GP element: EnterSiteListPrompt
• GP path: Windows Components/Microsoft Edge
• GP ADMX file name: MicrosoftEdge.admx

MDM settings

• MDM name: Browser/EnterpriseModeSiteList
• Supported devices: Desktop and Mobile
• URI full path: ./Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Browser/EnterpriseModeSiteList
• Data type: String

Registry settings

• Path: HKLMSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftMicrosoftEdgeMainEnterpriseMode
• Value name: SiteList
• Value type: REG_SZ

Related Policies

Microsoft Edge does not show a notification before opening sites in Internet Explorer 11. However, with this policy, you can configure Microsoft Edge to display a notification before a site opens in IE11 or let users continue in Microsoft Edge. If you want users to continue in Microsoft Edge, enable this policy to show the Keep going in Microsoft Edge link in the notification. For this policy to work correctly, you must also enable the Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List or Send all intranet sites to Internet Explorer 11, or both.

Related topics

• Use Enterprise Mode to improve compatibility. If you have specific websites and apps that you know have compatibility problems with Microsoft Edge, you can use the Enterprise Mode site list so that the websites automatically open using Internet Explorer 11. Additionally, if you know that your intranet sites aren't going to work correctly with Microsoft Edge, you can set all intranet sites to open using IE11 automatically. Using Enterprise Mode means that you can continue to use Microsoft Edge as your default browser, while also ensuring that your apps continue working on IE11.

• Use the Enterprise Mode Site List Manager. You can use IE11 and the Enterprise Mode Site List Manager to add individual website domains and domain paths and to specify whether the site renders using Enterprise Mode or the default mode.

• Enterprise Mode for Internet Explorer 11. Learn how to set up and use Enterprise Mode and the Enterprise Mode Site List Manager in your company.

• Enterprise Mode and the Enterprise Mode Site List. Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge can work together to support your legacy web apps, while still defaulting to the higher bar for security and modern experiences enabled by Microsoft Edge. Working with multiple browsers can be difficult, particularly if you have a substantial number of internal sites. To help manage this dual-browser experience, we are introducing a new web tool targeted explicitly towards larger organizations: the Enterprise Mode Site List Portal.

• Enterprise Mode and the Enterprise Mode Site List XML file. The Enterprise Mode Site List is an XML document that specifies a list of sites, their compat mode, and their intended browser. When you use the Enterprise Mode Site List Manager schema v.2, you can automatically start a webpage using a specific browser. In the case of IE11, the webpage can also launch in a specific compat mode, so it always renders correctly. Your users can quickly view this site list by typing about:compat in either Microsoft Edge or IE11.

Send all intranet sites to Internet Explorer 11

Supported versions: Microsoft Edge on Windows 10
Default setting: Disabled or not configured

By default, all websites, including intranet sites, open in Microsoft Edge automatically. Only enable this policy if there are known compatibility problems with Microsoft Edge. Enabling this policy loads only intranet sites in Internet Explorer 11 automatically.

Tip

Microsoft Edge does not support ActiveX controls, Browser Helper Objects, VBScript, or other legacy technology. If you have websites or web apps that still use this technology and needs IE11 to run, you can add them to the Enterprise Mode site list, using Enterprise Mode Site List Manager.

Supported values

ADMX info and settings

ADMX info

• GP English name: Send all intranet sites to Internet Explorer 11
• GP name: SendIntranetTraffictoInternetExplorer
• GP path: Windows Components/Microsoft Edge
• GP ADMX file name: MicrosoftEdge.admx

MDM settings

• MDM name: Browser/SendIntranetTraffictoInternetExplorer
• Supported devices: Desktop
• URI full path: ./Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Browser/SendIntranetTraffictoInternetExplorer
• Data type: Integer

Registry settings

• Path: HKLMSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftMicrosoftEdgeMain
• Value name: SendIntranetTraffictoInternetExplorer
• Value type: REG_DWORD

Related Policies

• Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List: Microsoft Edge does not support ActiveX controls, Browser Helper Objects, VBScript, or other legacy technology. If you have sites or apps that use this technology, you can configure Microsoft Edge to check the Enterprise Mode Site List XML file that lists the sites and domains with compatibility issues and switch to IE11 automatically. You can use the same site list for both Microsoft Edge and IE11, or you can use separate lists. By default, Microsoft Edge ignores the Enterprise Mode and the Enterprise Mode Site List XML file. In this case, users might experience problems while using legacy apps. These sites and domains must be viewed using Internet Explorer 11 and Enterprise Mode.

• Show message when opening sites in Internet Explorer: Microsoft Edge does not show a notification before opening sites in Internet Explorer 11. However, with this policy, you can configure Microsoft Edge to display a notification before a site opens in IE11 or let users continue in Microsoft Edge. If you want users to continue in Microsoft Edge, enable this policy to show the Keep going in Microsoft Edge link in the notification. For this policy to work correctly, you must also enable the Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List or Send all intranet sites to Internet Explorer 11, or both.

Related topics

• Blog: How Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 work better together in the Enterprise. Many customers depend on legacy features only available in older versions of Internet Explorer and are familiar with our Enterprise Mode tools for IE11. The Enterprise Mode has been extended to support to Microsoft Edge by opening any site specified on the Enterprise Mode Site List in IE11. IT Pros can use their existing IE11 Enterprise Mode Site List, or they can create a new one specifically for Microsoft Edge. By keeping Microsoft Edge as the default browser in Windows 10 and only opening legacy line of business sites in IE11 when necessary, you can help keep newer development projects on track, using the latest web standards on Microsoft Edge.

• Enterprise Mode for Internet Explorer 11 (IE11). Learn how to set up and use Enterprise Mode and the Enterprise Mode Site List Manager in your company.

• Use the Enterprise Mode Site List Manager. You can use IE11 and the Enterprise Mode Site List Manager to add individual website domains and domain paths and to specify whether the site renders using Enterprise Mode or the default mode.

Show message when opening sites in Internet Explorer

Supported versions: Microsoft Edge on Windows 10, version 1607 and later
Default setting: Disabled or not configured (No additional message)

Microsoft Edge does not show a notification before opening sites in Internet Explorer 11. However, with this policy, you can configure Microsoft Edge to display a notification before a site opens in IE11 or let users continue in Microsoft Edge. If you want users to continue in Microsoft Edge, enable this policy to show the Keep going in Microsoft Edge link in the notification. For this policy to work correctly, you must also enable the Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List or Send all intranet sites to Internet Explorer 11, or both.

Supported values

ADMX info and settings

ADMX info

• GP English name: Show message when opening sites in Internet Explorer
• GP name: ShowMessageWhenOpeningSitesInInternetExplorer
• GP path: Windows Components/Microsoft Edge
• GP ADMX file name: MicrosoftEdge.admx

MDM settings

• MDM name: Browser/ShowMessageWhenOpeningSitesInInternetExplorer
• Supported devices: Desktop
• URI full path: ./Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Browser/ShowMessageWhenOpeningSitesInInternetExplorer
• Data type: Integer

Registry settings

• Path: HKLMSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftMicrosoftEdgeMain
• Value name: ShowMessageWhenOpeningSitesInInternetExplorer
• Value type: REG_DWORD

Related policies

• Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List: Microsoft Edge does not support ActiveX controls, Browser Helper Objects, VBScript, or other legacy technology. If you have sites or apps that use this technology, you can configure Microsoft Edge to check the Enterprise Mode Site List XML file that lists the sites and domains with compatibility issues and switch to IE11 automatically. You can use the same site list for both Microsoft Edge and IE11, or you can use separate lists. By default, Microsoft Edge ignores the Enterprise Mode and the Enterprise Mode Site List XML file. In this case, users might experience problems while using legacy apps. These sites and domains must be viewed using Internet Explorer 11 and Enterprise Mode.

• Send all intranet sites to Internet Explorer 11: By default, all websites, including intranet sites, open in Microsoft Edge automatically. Only enable this policy if there are known compatibility problems with Microsoft Edge. Enabling this policy loads only intranet sites in Internet Explorer 11 automatically.

(IE11 policy) Send all sites not included in the Enterprise Mode Site List to Microsoft Edge

Supported versions: Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10, version 1607 or later
Default setting: Disabled or not configured

By default, all sites open the currently active browser. With this policy, you can automatically open all sites not included in the Enterprise Mode Site List in Microsoft Edge. When you enable this policy, you must also turn on the Internet ExplorerUse the Enterprise Mode IE website list policy and include at least one site in the Enterprise Mode Site List.

Note

If you’ve also enabled the Microsoft Edge Send all intranet sites to Internet Explorer 11 policy, all intranet sites continue to open in Internet Explorer 11.

You can find the group policy settings in the following location of the Group Policy Editor:

Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsInternet Explorer

This article explains how to configure IE mode policies.

Note

This article applies to Microsoft Edge Stable, Beta and Dev Channels, version 77 or later.

Configuring IE mode requires three steps:

1. (Optional) Redirect sites from IE to Microsoft Edge

   1. If you are ready to disable the IE11 app, follow the steps in Disable Internet Explorer 11
   2. Otherwise, follow the rest of the steps in Redirect sites from IE to Microsoft Edge

Note

Policies to enable IE mode can be configured through Intune. For more information, see Add Microsoft Edge to Microsoft Intune and Configure Microsoft Edge policies with Microsoft Intune.

Configure Internet Explorer integration

You can configure Internet Explorer to open directly within Microsoft Edge (IE mode). You can also configure Internet Explorer to open with a standalone Internet Explorer 11 window. Most users prefer when sites open directly within Microsoft Edge in IE mode.

Enable Internet Explorer integration using Group Policy

1. Download and use the latest Microsoft Edge Policy Template.

2. Open Group Policy Editor.

3. Click Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge.

4. Double-click Configure Internet Explorer integration.

5. Select Enabled.

6. Under Options, set the dropdown value to

   • Internet Explorer mode if you want sites to open in IE mode on Microsoft Edge
   • Internet Explorer 11 if you want sites to open in a standalone Internet Explorer 11 window
   • None if you want to stop users from configuring Internet Explorer mode via edge://flags or through the command line

   Note

   Setting the policy to Disabled implies IE mode is disabled by policy, but can be set through edge://flags or command line options.

7. Click OK or Apply to save this policy setting.

Redirect sites from Microsoft Edge to IE mode

There are two options for identifying which sites should open in IE mode:

• (Recommended) Configure sites on the Enterprise Site list

Configure sites on the Enterprise Site list

You can use the following group policies to configure specific sites to open in IE mode:

• Use the Enterprise Mode IE website list (Internet Explorer)
• Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List (Microsoft Edge, version 78 or later)
  This policy lets you create a separate Enterprise Mode Site list for Microsoft Edge. Enabling this policy overrides the settings in the 'Use the Enterprise Mode IE website list' policy, if 'Configure Internet Explorer integration' is enabled. Disabling or not configuring this policy doesn't affect the default behavior of the 'Configure Internet Explorer integration' policy.

  Note

  It is not mandatory to configure the Microsoft Edge policy. Many organizations use this as an override, allowing them to target the current Site List at all users with the IE policy, and more easily target an updated version to pilot uses with the Microsoft Edge policy.

New Edge Internet Explorer Mode

For more information about Enterprise Mode Site lists, see:

• Add multiple sites to the Enterprise Mode site list using a file and the Enterprise Mode Site List Manager (schema v.2).

Configure using the Use the Enterprise Mode IE website list policy

IE mode can use the existing policy configuring the Enterprise Site List for Internet Explorer, allowing you to create and maintain a single list.

1. Create or reuse a Site List XML
   1. All sites that have the element <open-in>IE11</open-in> will now open in IE mode.
2. Open Group Policy Editor.
3. Click Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer.
4. Double-click Use the Enterprise Mode IE website list.
5. Select Enabled.
6. Under Options, type the location of website list. You can use one of the following locations:
   • (Recommended) HTTPS location: https://iemode/sites.xml
   • Local network file: networksharessites.xml
   • Local file: file:///c:/Users/<user>/Documents/sites.xml
7. Click OK or Apply to save these settings.

Configure using the Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List policy

You can also configure IE mode with a separate policy for Microsoft Edge. This additional policy allows you to override the IE site list. For example, some organizations will target the production site list to all users. You can then deploy the pilot site list to a small group of users using this policy.

1. Create or reuse a Site List XML
   1. All sites that have the element <open-in>IE11</open-in> will now open in IE mode.
2. Open Group Policy Editor.
3. Click Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge.
4. Double-click Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List.
5. Select Enabled.
6. Under Options, type the location of website list. You can use one of the following locations:
   • (Recommended) HTTPS location: https://iemode/sites.xml
   • Local network file: networksharessites.xml
   • Local file: file:///c:/Users/<user>/Documents/sites.xml
7. Click OK or Apply to save these settings.

Configure all intranet sites

IE mode can be configured as for all sites in the Local Intranet zone. You can remove individual sites from IE mode using an Enterprise Mode Site List.

Note

The Local Intranet zone contains explicitly added sites, but also assigns sites to this zone using heuristics. This can include dotless host names (e.g. https://payroll) and sites that the proxy configuration script configures to bypass the proxy. If an external party controls DNS or proxy, they could potentially force websites into IE mode.

1. Open Local Group Policy Editor.
2. Click Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge.
3. Double-click Send all intranet sites to Internet Explorer.
4. Select Enabled, and then click OK or Apply to save the policy settings.

Redirect sites from IE to Microsoft Edge

You can prevent your users from using Internet Explorer for sites that don't need it. Internet Explorer can automatically redirect sites to Microsoft Edge if they aren't on your site list.

Need Internet Explorer Not Edge

1. Open Group Policy Editor.
2. Click Computer Configuration > Administrative Tools > Windows Components > Internet Explorer.
3. Double-click Send all sites not included in the Enterprise Mode Site List to Microsoft Edge.
4. Select Enabled
5. Click OK or Apply to save these settings.
6. Double-click Configure which channel of Microsoft Edge to use for opening redirected sites.
7. Select Enabled.
8. Under Options, select your top three choices for the channel to use - Internet Explorer will redirect to the highest ranked choice that the user has installed on that device:
   • Microsoft Edge Stable
   • Microsoft Edge Beta version 77 or later
   • Microsoft Edge Dev version 77 or later
   • Microsoft Edge Canary version 77 or later
   • Microsoft Edge version 45 or earlier
9. Click OK or Apply to save these settings.

New Internet Explorer Edge

See also