Internet Explorer was removed from Windows computers in 2022, replaced by Microsoft Edge . While Edge is far superior, Internet Explorer still comes pre-installed on Windows 11 — and it's incredibly easy to access.
How to Access Internet Explorer Easily on Windows 11
Accessing Internet Explorer (IE) on Windows 11 is extremely easy and there are a few ways to do it.
1. Create a shortcut to Internet Explorer
The easiest method is to create a shortcut that targets the location of Internet Explorer.
%systemroot%\System32\conhost.exe powershell.exe -noprofile -executionpolicy bypass -windowstyle hidden -command "(new-object -com internetexplorer.application).visible=$true"
Now you can double-click the created shortcut and Internet Explorer will open.
2. Internet Options
The second way to access Internet Explorer is through Windows 11's Internet Options, accessed through the Control Panel.
Internet Explorer will open immediately.
Why Can You Still Use Internet Explorer in Windows 11?
Now, you're probably wondering why Internet Explorer is hiding in Windows 11. It's not just nostalgia; there are some practical reasons why IE is still around.
First, many businesses still rely on legacy web applications, internal portals, or custom tools designed for IE’s rendering engine (Trident). Removing IE completely would immediately disrupt those workflows. Additionally, some legacy Windows software uses embedded web views and other IE settings. Without core Internet Explorer files, some functionality would be broken.
Microsoft Edge's Internet Explorer mode also depends on certain files installed with the legacy browser. Internet Explorer mode allows you to view websites in the legacy mode and access them through Edge. But without these files, you won't be able to turn on Internet Explorer mode.
In short, Internet Explorer is worth a look, and even important for developers and enterprise organizations. But for most people, modern browsers are designed for the web we know and use today.
But Internet Explorer is a thing of the past. In 2025, it's best left as a tool for testing legacy apps—not as an everyday Internet browser.
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Changing the display language in Windows 11 may cause some programs to not display text in the language you want. If this is the case, you should enable Unicode UTF-8 to help Windows display text correctly in the language you want.
Internet Explorer was removed from Windows computers in 2022, replaced by Microsoft Edge. While Edge is far superior, Internet Explorer still comes pre-installed on Windows 11 — and it's incredibly easy to access.
Over the years, people have discovered a collection of free Windows tools that help diagnose what's causing their system to slow down.
When you're having audio problems or want to improve your PC's audio levels, it's time to dive into your Windows sound settings and make some tweaks. But did you know there are shortcuts and tricks to quickly get where you need to go?
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Virtual Machine on Windows 11 will support users to run an operating system other than Windows right on your computer.
In case you need to free up urgent storage space, you can temporarily turn off Reserved Storage Windows, according to the article below.
Windows today is much better at protecting your security than it used to be, but Windows Security and its associated tools are still not perfect. You need to be on the lookout for threats that computer security doesn't have a solution for.
Windows PCs can sometimes feel slow, but Task Manager doesn't show anything suspicious. At this stage, most people check for malware or storage issues, but outdated drivers can also cause performance issues.
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In newer versions of Windows, you'll find a folder called ProgramData on your system drive (usually C:\). However, this folder is hidden, so you can only see it if you enable displaying folders and files in File Explorer.
Microsoft's new Chromium-based Edge browser drops support for EPUB eBook files. You'll need a third-party EPUB reader app to view EPUB files on Windows 10. Here are some good free options to choose from.
Language bar disappeared on Windows 10? Follow these solutions.
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