When you install Microsoft Edge, you get a browser. Also, you get a powerful way to inspect, debug, and even create web projects. The Developer Tools shipped with the browser are based on the tools in the Chromium open-source project, so you may already be familiar with the tools. The new Microsoft Edge is based on Chromium and was released on January 15, 2020. It is compatible with all supported versions of Windows, and macOS. With speed, performance, best in class compatibility for websites and extensions, and built-in privacy and security features, it's the only browser you'll ever need. Try the new Microsoft Edge now. Microsoft stopped releasing security patches for Edge Legacy from March 9, 2021, and released a security update on April 13, 2021, which replaced Edge Legacy with Chromium-based Edge. Microsoft released the Chromium-based Edge to the Xbox Insider Alpha Skip Ahead group on March 6, 2021. Alongside all the features and improvements in the roadmap for the new version of Microsoft Edge based on the Chromium engine, Microsoft includes a compatibility mode using the Internet Explorer rendering engine to load old websites.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) is the replacement for both the older generation Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Internet Explorer. It is built using a Chromium base and is compatible with Google Chrome add-ons.

This article describes how Internet Explorer mode (IE mode) integrates with the Microsoft Edge (Chromium) DevTools.

Understanding IE mode

IE mode allows enterprises to specify a list of web sites that only work in Internet Explorer 11. When you navigate to these web sites in Microsoft Edge (Chromium), an instance of Internet Explorer 11 runs and renders the site in a tab. The functionality allows enterprises to manage compatibility with technologies that are currently not compatible with any modern web browsers. Support for the following technologies is included in IE mode.

• IE document modes
• ActiveX controls
• other legacy components

In IE mode, the rendering process is based on Internet Explorer 11. The Microsoft Edge (Chromium) process manager handles the lifetime of the rendering process. It is constrained to the lifetime of the tab for a specific site (or app). When a tab renders in IE mode, a badge appears in the address bar for the specific tab.

IE mode is currently available on Windows 10 Version 1903 (May 2019 Update), but is coming soon to all supported Windows platforms.

Launching the DevTools on a tab in IE mode

If you are trying to view the document mode of a web site in IE mode, choose the badge in the address bar.

If a tab is using IE mode, the DevTools do not work and the following conditions occur.

• If you select F12 or select Ctrl+Shift+I, a blank instance of the Microsoft Edge (Chromium) DevTools is launched displays the following message.

• If you open a contextual menu (right-click) and choose View Source, Notepad is launched.

• If you open a contextual menu (right-click), the Inspect Element is not visible.

The reason that a number of the tools within the DevTools (like the Network and Performance tools) do not work is the rendering engine switches from Chromium to Internet Explorer 11 in IE mode. To provide feedback, navigate to Getting in touch with the Microsoft Edge DevTools team.

To test your Internet Explorer 11-based website (or app) in Internet Explorer 11 and IE mode, perform the following steps.

1. Open Internet Explorer 11.
   • On Windows 10, locate the shortcut for Internet Explorer 11.
     1. Start Menu > Windows Accessories > Internet Explorer 11.
   • On Windows 7, locate Internet Explorer 11.
     1. Start Menu > Internet Explorer 11.
2. In Internet Explorer 11, open the same webpage.
3. Launch the Internet Explorer DevTools.
   • Select F12.
   • Hover anywhere, open a contextual menu (right-click), and choose Inspect element. For more information about how to use those tools, navigate to Using the F12 developer tools.

Remote debugging and IE mode

Launch Microsoft Edge (Chromium) with remote debugging turned on from the command-line interface. Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Visual Studio Code, and other development tools typically run a command to launch Microsoft Edge. The following command launches Microsoft Edge with the remote debugging port set to 9222.

After you launch Microsoft Edge (Chromium) using a command-line argument, IE mode is unavailable. You may still navigate to websites (or apps) that are otherwise displayed in IE mode. The website (or app) content renders using Chromium, not Internet Explorer 11. Expect the parts of the webpages that rely on IE11, such as ActiveX controls, to not render correctly. The IE mode badge does not appear in the address bar.

IE mode remains unavailable until you completely close and restart Microsoft Edge (Chromium).

Getting in touch with the Microsoft Edge DevTools team

Use the following options to discuss the new features and changes in the post, or anything else related to DevTools.

• Send your feedback using the Send Feedback icon or select Alt+Shift+I (Windows, Linux) or Option+Shift+I (macOS) in DevTools.
• Tweet at @EdgeDevTools.
• Submit a suggestion to The Web We Want.
• To file bugs about this article, use the following Feedback section.

Get the latest version

• stable Channel

  Current general public release channel.

Chromium Web Browser Edge

• beta Channel

  Preview channel for the next major version.

• dev Channel

  Weekly release of our latest features and fixes.

Chromium Microsoft Edge

• canary Channel

  Daily release of our latest features and fixes.

Recent versions

• Release 91

Not finding what you need? Navigate to the full directory to download it.

Installation and usage

Microsoft Edge Driver for Microsoft Edge will work with the Stable channel and all Insider channels

Microsoft Chromium Edge Offline Installer

Download Latest Edge Chromium Browser

• Download the correct Microsoft Edge Driver version for your build of Microsoft Edge.

  To find your correct build number: Launch Microsoft Edge. Open the Settings and more (...) menu, choose Help and feedback, and then choose About Microsoft Edge. Using the correct version of Microsoft Edge Driver for your build ensures it runs correctly.

• Download a WebDriver testing framework of your choice.