When you first launch Internet Explorer 11, which is the default browser in Windows 8.1, 8, 7, and Vista and an upgrade option in Windows XP, the familiar menu bar that includes options such as File, Edit, Bookmarks, and Help isn't available. In older versions of the browser, the menu bar was displayed by default.
Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer and recommends that you update to the newer Edge browser. Head to their site to download the newest version.
![Windows Internet Explorer](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/kwyuhsY6rq_i-G_ycLdGULO9Gk0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/18592176882_9b403318c2_k5-5c8985d446e0fb00012c67eb.jpg)
How to Display the Menu Bar for IE 11
Temporarily view the Menu Bar by pressing Alt on the keyboard. To permanently view the Menu Bar in IE 11, do the following:
-
Press Alt to display the Menu Bar.
-
Select View > Toolbars > Menu bar.
-
To make the menu bar invisible again, return to this menu and toggle the option off again.
If you run Internet Explorer in full-screen mode, the menu bar is not visible even if it's enabled. The address bar is also not visible in full-screen mode unless you move the cursor to the top of the screen. To toggle from full-screen to normal mode, press F11.