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Internet Explorer is a web browser that has been around for many years and has undergone several updates and versions. However, if you are using Windows 10, you may notice that Internet Explorer is no longer the default browser. Instead, Microsoft Edge is the primary web browser on this operating system. Nevertheless, there are still scenarios where you might need to use the old Internet Explorer on Windows 10. In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to access and use the old Internet Explorer on your Windows 10 machine.
Step 1: Open the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
Step 2: In the Start menu search bar, type "Internet Explorer" and click on the "Internet Explorer" app to launch it.
Step 3: Once Internet Explorer opens, you can start using it to browse the web, just like you would on any other browser.
Step 4: If you want to pin Internet Explorer to the taskbar for quick access, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the taskbar and select "Pin to taskbar."
Step 5: You can also set Internet Explorer as your default browser by opening the Start menu and going to "Settings" > "Apps" > "Default apps." Under the "Web browser" section, select "Internet Explorer."
Step 6: To access Internet Explorer in the future, you can either click on the Start menu and search for "Internet Explorer" or find it in the "All apps" list.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Compatibility: Internet Explorer may be required for certain websites or web applications that are designed to work specifically with older versions of the browser. | 1. Outdated features: Internet Explorer lacks many modern features and security enhancements found in more recent web browsers like Microsoft Edge. |
| 2. Legacy support: Organizations or individuals may still rely on Internet Explorer to access legacy web applications or intranet sites that were built for older technologies. | 2. Limited performance: Internet Explorer generally performs slower and has higher resource usage compared to newer web browsers. |
| 3. Familiarity: Some users prefer the user interface and layout of Internet Explorer, especially if they have been using it for a long time. | 3. Lack of updates: Internet Explorer is no longer actively developed or updated by Microsoft, which means it may have more security vulnerabilities. |
By following these steps, you can access and use the old Internet Explorer on your Windows 10 machine. However, it’s important to note that Internet Explorer is considered outdated and has been replaced by Microsoft Edge as the default browser in Windows 10. It is recommended to use a more modern and secure browser for everyday web browsing tasks.
Video Tutorial: How to open Internet Explorer in Windows 10 instead of Edge?
How do I run an older version of Internet Explorer?
Running an older version of Internet Explorer may be necessary in certain situations, especially when dealing with legacy systems or web applications that require specific browser capabilities. Here’s a step-by-step guide to running an older version of Internet Explorer:
1. Compatibility Mode: Internet Explorer has a compatibility mode feature that allows you to emulate older versions within a modern version of the browser. To enable compatibility mode, follow these steps:
a. Open Internet Explorer.
b. Press the Alt key to reveal the menu bar and click on "Tools."
c. From the drop-down menu, select "Compatibility View settings."
d. In the Compatibility View settings window, enter the website you want to run in compatibility mode and click "Add."
e. Close the Compatibility View settings window.
2. Virtual Machines: Another option is to use virtual machine software such as VMware or VirtualBox to run an older version of Windows with the respective Internet Explorer version. These virtual machines allow you to isolate the older browser version from your primary operating system. Here are the steps:
a. Download and install virtual machine software like VMware or VirtualBox on your computer.
b. Obtain a licensed or trial version of the desired Windows operating system that has the older Internet Explorer version you wish to use.
c. Install the Windows OS in the virtual machine software, following the software’s instructions.
d. Once the Windows OS is installed within the virtual machine, launch it.
e. Open the native Internet Explorer within the virtual machine and use the older version of the browser.
3. Consider Alternatives: Internet Explorer is an outdated browser with limited support and security vulnerabilities. It’s generally recommended to use modern browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge instead. These browsers usually offer better compatibility with modern web standards and are regularly updated with security patches.
Please note that the steps mentioned above are provided for informational purposes only and should be used carefully, considering the security risks associated with running outdated browser versions.
What to do if Internet Explorer 11 is not set to compatibility mode?
Internet Explorer 11 is an outdated web browser, and using it without compatibility mode can cause compatibility issues with some websites and web applications. However, if Internet Explorer 11 is not set to compatibility mode, there are a few steps you can take to address this issue:
1. Open Internet Explorer 11: Launch Internet Explorer 11 by clicking on its icon in the taskbar or by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Access Compatibility View Settings: Click on the gear icon located at the top right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, select "Compatibility View settings."
3. Add Website to Compatibility View: In the Compatibility View Settings dialog box, make sure the "Add this website" field is empty. If there are any websites listed in this field, select each one and click the "Remove" button.
4. Enable Compatibility View: Near the top of the dialog box, check the box that says "Display all websites in Compatibility View." This action will enable compatibility mode for all websites.
5. Check Compatibility View Settings: Under the "Websites you’ve added to Compatibility View" section, ensure that the websites you encounter compatibility issues with are not listed. If they are, select each one and click the "Remove" button.
6. Close and Restart Internet Explorer: After making the necessary changes, click the "Close" button in the Compatibility View Settings dialog box. Close and reopen Internet Explorer for the changes to take effect.
By following these steps, you can ensure that Internet Explorer 11 is set to compatibility mode, which should help resolve compatibility issues with websites and web applications. However, it’s worth noting that Internet Explorer 11 is no longer actively supported by Microsoft, and it’s recommended to switch to a more modern and secure browser like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
How do I force Internet Explorer to open instead of Edge 2023?
If you want to force Internet Explorer to open instead of Edge 2023, you can follow these steps:
1. Set Internet Explorer as the default browser:
– Click on the Start button and go to Settings.
– Select "Apps" and then click on the "Default apps" option.
– Scroll down and click on the "Web browser" option.
– Choose Internet Explorer from the list of available web browsers. If it’s not listed, you may need to install it.
2. Associate specific file types or protocols with Internet Explorer:
– Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
– In the Control Panel, select "Default Programs" and then click on "Set Associations."
– Scroll through the list of file types and protocols until you find the ones you want to open with Internet Explorer.
– Select the file type or protocol and click on the "Change program" button.
– Choose Internet Explorer as the default program for that file type or protocol.
3. Utilize the Open With option:
– Right-click on a file that you want to open with Internet Explorer.
– In the contextual menu, hover over the "Open with" option.
– A submenu will appear with a list of available applications, including Edge 2023 and Internet Explorer.
– Click on Internet Explorer to open the file with that browser.
By following these steps, you can make Internet Explorer open instead of Edge 2023 for specific file types or protocols, and set it as the default browser. Keep in mind that Internet Explorer has limited support in newer versions of Windows, so it is recommended to use more modern browsers for better security, performance, and compatibility.
How to downgrade Internet Explorer 11 to 10 in Windows 10?
Internet Explorer 11 is the default web browser that comes with Windows 10, and it cannot be uninstalled completely from the operating system. However, you can attempt to downgrade Internet Explorer 11 to version 10 by following these steps:
1. Open the Control Panel on your Windows 10 system. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + X on your keyboard and selecting "Control Panel" from the menu.
2. In the Control Panel, click on "Programs" or "Programs and Features." This will display a list of programs installed on your computer.
3. Look for "View installed updates" on the left-hand side of the Programs window and click on it. This will open a new window that shows the list of installed updates on your Windows 10 system.
4. Scroll down the list and locate "Internet Explorer 11." Once you find it, right-click on it and select "Uninstall." You may need to confirm your action by clicking "Yes" on the confirmation prompt.
5. After the uninstallation of Internet Explorer 11 is complete, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
6. Once your system has restarted, navigate to the Internet Explorer download page on the Microsoft website.
7. Locate the download link for Internet Explorer 10 and click on it to initiate the download.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Internet Explorer 10. Once the installation is complete, you should have successfully downgraded Internet Explorer 11 to 10 on your Windows 10 system.
It’s important to note that Internet Explorer 11 is an outdated web browser, and Microsoft has shifted its focus to Microsoft Edge as the recommended browser for Windows 10. Consider using Microsoft Edge or other modern web browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, as they offer better security, improved performance, and compatibility with the latest web technologies.
How do I force my computer to use Internet Explorer?
As a tech blogger, I would not recommend forcing a computer to use Internet Explorer for several reasons. Internet Explorer has been deprecated by Microsoft, and therefore it is not recommended to use it as your primary web browser for various security, performance, and compatibility reasons. Instead, I would recommend using modern web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. These browsers offer better security features, improved performance, and better support for modern web standards.
If you still need to use Internet Explorer for specific purposes, here are some steps you can follow to access it on different operating systems:
On Windows 10:
1. Click on the Start menu and type "Internet Explorer" in the search bar.
2. You should see Internet Explorer in the search results; click on it to open.
On Windows 8.1 and earlier:
1. Open the Start menu and search for "Internet Explorer" or locate it in the list of installed programs.
2. Click on Internet Explorer to open it.
On macOS:
1. Unfortunately, Internet Explorer is not available for macOS. Microsoft Edge or other compatible browsers are recommended for macOS users.
It’s worth noting that the usage of Internet Explorer is declining, and many websites no longer support it. If you encounter issues or compatibility problems while using Internet Explorer, it’s generally more advisable to seek alternative solutions in modern browsers.
Remember, it’s important to keep your web browser up to date and regularly install security patches to ensure a safe and smooth browsing experience.