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Document modes are deprecated

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Internet Explorer 8 introduced the idea of document modes as a way to transition websites from proprietary features to features based on standards and supported by multiple browsers and devices. Starting with Windows 10, document modes are considered deprecated and should not be used. Internet Explorer 11 will continue to support documents modes; however, Microsoft Edge will not support them. Make sure to update webpages and apps that require legacy document modes to support modern features, browsers, and devices.

Document mode changes in Windows 10

Windows Internet Explorer 8 introduced the idea of document modes as a way to transition websites from proprietary features to features based on standards and supported by multiple browsers and devices. Subsequent releases of Windows Internet Explorer continued this transition by introducing new document modes that emulated features supported by earlier versions while introducing support for features defined by industry standards.

While many websites were updated to provide richer experiences based on modern features, some sites used earlier document modes in order to continue serve experiences based on older practices. In order to ensure users receive the best experience possible, earlier document modes will not be supported in Microsoft Edge. Websites based on legacy techniques should be updated to rely on features defined by modern standards and practices.

IE11 continues to support document modes. IE11 Standards Mode is the preferred document mode; it represents the highest support for modern standards available to the browser.

Use the HTML5 document type declaration to enable the latest supported standards when using IE11:

<!DOCTYPE html>

In the illustrations below, we show a flowchart of IE11's decision process for when document modes are used.

Known limitations of Internet Explorer 8 document mode for EMIE users

When using Enterprise Mode, the default document mode is Internet Explorer 8. While this provides a strong emulation of that older browser, is it not an exact match.

The way document mode for iframes is chosen changed in Internet Explorer 9, and Enterprise Mode does not undo the architectural change. Windows 10 supports GDI font rendering when using Enterprise Mode, but uses natural metrics when not in Enterprise Mode.