How To View Websites With IE Mode In Google Chrome

With the increasing obsolescence of Internet Explorer, many websites still require its rendering engine to function properly. To address this, Google Chrome offers a solution through the IE Tab extension, allowing users to view websites in IE mode directly within Chrome.

Installing the IE Tab Extension

To start using IE mode in Google Chrome, you need to install the IE Tab extension. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open Google Chrome and navigate to the Chrome Web Store.
2. Search for "IE Tab" in the search bar.
3. Click "Add to Chrome" to install the extension. A pop-up will appear asking for confirmation; click "Add extension" to proceed.
4. Confirm Installation: Once installed, you will see a message in the Chrome bar indicating that "IE Tab has been added to Chrome."
5. Access the Extension: The IE Tab icon will appear in the top-right corner of your Chrome browser. If it's not visible, click on the puzzle icon and pin the IE Tab extension to the Extension bar.

Using the IE Tab Extension

After installation, you can start using the IE Tab extension to view websites in IE mode:

1. Navigate to a Webpage: Go to any webpage you want to view in IE mode.
2. Enable IE Mode: Click on the IE Tab icon in the top-right corner of your Chrome browser. This will open the webpage using the IE rendering engine.
3. Change IE Version: If you need to switch between different versions of IE, click on the tool icon, then scroll down to "IE Compatibility Mode" and select your desired version (IE 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11).

Auto URLs and Auto URL Exceptions

For convenience, you can configure the IE Tab extension to automatically open specific URLs in IE mode:

1. Right-click on the IE Tab Icon: Select "Options" from the dropdown menu.
2. Configure Auto URLs: Under "Auto URLs," enter the URLs you want to automatically open in IE Tab. Similarly, you can add URLs to "Auto URL Exceptions" to prevent them from opening in IE Tab.

Identifying IE Mode

To ensure that a webpage is being displayed in IE mode, look for the following indicator:

• Blue Icon with 'E': A blue-colored icon with the letter 'E' will appear next to the address bar, indicating that the webpage is being rendered using the Internet Explorer engine.

Impact on Browsing Experience

Using IE mode in Chrome generally does not negatively affect your browsing experience. However, some websites may perform differently when using the IE rendering engine compared to Chrome's native engine. Additionally, some Chrome extensions may not work properly in IE mode, so it's advisable to test them first.

Security and Helper Application

The IE Tab extension requires a helper application to function. Here are some key points to note:

• Helper Application: After clicking the IE Tab icon for the first time, you will be prompted to download and run the helper application (ietabhelper.exe). This is necessary because Chrome no longer supports NPAPI, which was previously used by IE Tab.
• Security: The helper application is secure and trustworthy. Blackfish Software, the developer of IE Tab, ensures that the native code used is safe for users.

Enterprise Deployment

For enterprise environments, IE Tab supports group policy deployments, making it easier to manage and configure the extension across multiple users:

• Group Policy Support: Administrators can configure the extension using group policies, allowing for centralized management of which URLs open in IE mode.
• Enterprise Deployment Options: Contact the support team at Blackfish Software for details on deploying the IE Tab Helper automatically in an enterprise setting.

By following these steps and configurations, you can effectively use the IE Tab extension to view websites in IE mode within Google Chrome, ensuring compatibility with legacy websites that require the Internet Explorer rendering engine.