How to Enable JavaScript on Internet Explorer

Heads up: Microsoft retired Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022. The IE app no longer launches on supported Windows 10 versions and was never included in Windows 11. If you click the IE icon today, Windows redirects you to Microsoft Edge automatically.

Why this guide changed

The original "How to Enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer" guide (covering IE 6 through IE 11, Windows 7/8/10) is no longer accurate. The Tools menu, the gear icon, the Internet Options dialog - none of those exist for end users anymore. Microsoft replaced IE with Microsoft Edge, a Chromium-based browser that ships with every modern Windows install.

What to do instead

If you need to enable JavaScript on a Microsoft browser, follow our up-to-date guide for Edge:

How to Enable JavaScript in Microsoft Edge →

"But I have a legacy site that requires IE"

Edge includes Internet Explorer Mode (IE Mode) for compatibility with legacy intranet apps. If your IT department or a specific business app still requires IE, IE Mode runs the page using the same engine inside Edge. Your IT admin must configure which sites use IE Mode via Group Policy. End users can't toggle it themselves.

Why JavaScript matters more than ever

Modern web apps rely on JavaScript for everything from email and document editing to video calls and online banking. Disabling JavaScript today makes most of the web unusable. Edge has JavaScript on by default - you only need to change anything if it was explicitly turned off.

Javascript is enabled in your web browser. If you disable JavaScript, this text will change.

Instructions for Web Developers

You may want to consider linking to this site, to educate any script-disabled users on how to enable JavaScript in six most commonly used browsers. You are free to use the code below and modify it according to your needs.

<noscript>
For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript.
Here are the <a href="https://www.enablejavascript.io/">
instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser</a>.
</noscript>

On enablejavascript.io we optimize the script-disabled user experience as much as we can:

  • The instructions for your browser are put at the top of the page
  • All the images are inlined, full-size, for easy perusing

We want your visitors to have JavaScript enabled just as much as you do!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Internet Explorer no longer supported?

Microsoft retired Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022, after 27 years (released 1995). The browser was deprecated in favor of Microsoft Edge, which is built on the same Chromium engine as Google Chrome and supports modern web standards. IE is permanently disabled on Windows 10 and was never included in Windows 11.

What should I use instead of Internet Explorer?

Microsoft Edge is the official replacement and ships with every modern Windows install. To enable JavaScript in Edge, see our up-to-date Edge guide. Edge is faster, supports modern web standards, has built-in ad and tracker blocking, and includes IE Mode for compatibility with legacy intranet sites.

I have a legacy site that requires IE - what now?

Edge includes Internet Explorer Mode (IE Mode) for compatibility with legacy intranet apps. IE Mode runs the page using the same engine inside Edge. Your IT administrator must configure which sites use IE Mode via Group Policy - end users cannot toggle it themselves on managed devices.

Why does the modern web need JavaScript?

JavaScript powers nearly every interactive feature on the web today: email clients, document editors, video calls, online banking, shopping carts, social media feeds, and live chat. Disabling JavaScript today makes most of the web unusable. Modern browsers (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari) all enable it by default.

Olumide Damilola Olumide Damilola Updated: 2026-05-03
Olumide is a longtime writer who started his career as a digital marketer before transitioning into a copywriter almost eight years ago.
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