While a direct "downgrade" to an older version of Microsoft Edge in Windows 10 is generally not officially supported or easily achievable, you can configure Edge to use Internet Explorer mode (IE mode) for compatibility with older websites. This feature often addresses the underlying reason users might seek to downgrade, allowing them to access sites designed for Internet Explorer without switching browsers.
Is a Direct Downgrade of Microsoft Edge Possible?
Microsoft Edge, especially the Chromium-based version, is deeply integrated with Windows 10 and updates automatically through Windows Update. Unlike some applications, there isn't a straightforward built-in option to revert to a previous version of Edge.
Attempting to manually install an older version can lead to:
- Instability or functional issues: The older version might not be fully compatible with your current Windows 10 build.
- Automatic re-updates: Windows Update often re-installs the latest version of Edge, negating your downgrade efforts.
- Data loss: Uninstalling and reinstalling could risk losing your browsing data if not backed up correctly.
For these reasons, directly downgrading Edge is typically not recommended.
Using Internet Explorer Mode for Compatibility (Alternative to Downgrading)
If your goal for "downgrading" is to resolve compatibility issues with specific older websites or web applications that require Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge offers a powerful solution: Internet Explorer mode (IE mode). This feature allows you to load sites using the Internet Explorer 11 engine directly within the Edge browser, providing the necessary compatibility without reverting your entire browser.
How to Enable Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge
To allow sites to load in Internet Explorer mode, follow these steps:
- Launch Microsoft Edge on your Windows 10 PC.
- Click the ellipses menu (three horizontal dots)
...located in the top-right corner of the browser window. - From the dropdown menu, select Settings.
- In the Settings sidebar on the left, click on Default browser.
- Under the "Internet Explorer compatibility" section, locate the setting "Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode (IE mode)".
- Change the dropdown menu for this setting from "Default" to "Allow."
- A prompt will appear, or a Restart button will become visible. Click Restart to apply the changes to your Edge browser.
Once restarted, Edge is configured to allow you to open websites in IE mode.
| Setting | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode (IE mode) | Allow | This enables the option to reload specific websites using the Internet Explorer rendering engine within your Edge browser for compatibility purposes. |
Practical Insights and Tips for Using IE Mode
After enabling IE mode, here's how to use it for specific websites:
- Reloading a site in IE mode:
- Navigate to the website you wish to view in Internet Explorer mode.
- Click the ellipses menu (three horizontal dots)
...in the top-right corner. - Select Reload in Internet Explorer mode.
- You'll see a small Internet Explorer icon appear to the left of the address bar, indicating the page is now in IE mode.
- Exiting IE mode: To switch back to standard Edge browsing for that tab, click the Internet Explorer icon in the address bar and select "Exit Internet Explorer mode."
- Always open certain sites in IE mode: You can add specific URLs to a list in Edge Settings (
Settings > Default browser > Internet Explorer mode pages) to have them automatically open in IE mode every time. This is useful for corporate intranets or legacy web applications.
Other Considerations for Downgrading Attempts
While not recommended for Edge, some general Windows 10 methods could theoretically revert a system-wide update that included Edge, but these are drastic and come with significant caveats:
- System Restore Points: If you have a system restore point created before Edge was updated, you could potentially revert your entire system to that state. However, this will undo all changes, installations, and updates made since that restore point.
- Uninstalling Updates: In rare cases, if an Edge update was delivered as a distinct Windows Update package, you might be able to uninstall that specific update from your Windows Update history. This is often difficult to pinpoint and can cause system instability.
For most users, utilizing the built-in Internet Explorer mode is the safest and most effective alternative for achieving compatibility without attempting a problematic downgrade.
