Apr 22 2020 12:43 PM
We are experiencing an issue with a website that must run in Internet Explorer Compatibility Mode. Performing different functions on the site causes a pop-up window. The pop-up is required to perform the function or for it to continue. Our problem is that the pop-up is appearing behind Edge. If you minimize Edge, you also minimize the pop-up. The only way to get to the pop-up is to open Task Manager, expand Internet Explorer, select the pop-up in the list, and choose Bring to front. From the user’s perspective, the website has frozen. Any help is appreciated.
Windows Version: Windows 10 1909 (18363.815)
Edge Stable Version 81.0.416.58 (64-bit)
The following is the entry for the website Enterprise Mode Site List.
<site url="webapp.company.com">
<compat-mode>IE7Enterprise</compat-mode>
<open-in>IE11</open-in>
</site>
Apr 23 2020 11:28 AM
@Michael Griffith Thanks for reaching out, and welcome to the MS Edge Insider's community. I've looped in the Enterprise team, and they'll be looking into this shortly!
Fawkes (they/them)
Project & Community Manager - Microsoft Edge
Apr 24 2020 04:38 PM
Hi @Michael Griffith, I work on Edge and I'm interested in learning more about the details of this issue so we can attempt to reproduce and understand it. Here are some questions I have, it would help us out if you answered what you could:
A video showing what you saw would also help
Apr 24 2020 05:12 PM
Hi @ssmole5, thank you for your reply.
The website uses ActiveX. The pop-up is not modal. I misspoke earlier about minimizing the browser. Edge is completely frozen including the minimize button. Pressing Alt+Tab does not reveal the pop-up as a choice. The only way to get to it is with the Task Manager as I described. The website works correctly in standalone Internet Explorer.
Apr 24 2020 05:27 PM
@ssmole5, Here are some screen captures. When I click Sign Timesheet, a window pops up to ask me if I am sure I want to sign. I cannot see the window unless I bring it to the front with Task Manager.
Apr 24 2020 07:06 PM
Apr 24 2020 09:50 PM
@ssmole5, Thank you for sticking with me.
I can see the pop-up for a split second before it disappears. I'm assuming it is behind Edge because clicking Bring to Front in Task Manager brings it back. I tried Internet Explorer, and I cannot click anywhere in IE while the pop-up is open. Please let me know if there is anything you want me to try.
Oct 28 2020 02:18 PM
@Michael Griffith I am seeing the same thing with an active X application with pop up windows.
Oct 28 2020 02:40 PM
SolutionI'm sorry that I never came back to give an update. Microsoft Premier Support spent a lot of time helping me. We ran all sorts of trace tools and gathered logs. Unfortunately, my problem lies with the third-party application developer. Microsoft cannot see into the developer's ActiveX code, but they believe that it includes a window.focus command for both the application and its pop-up. They think that the two get in a race condition and the IE window is winning which hides the pop-up.
Sep 23 2022 08:23 PM
Feb 13 2023 04:39 AM
Feb 13 2023 05:25 AM
@Spiderper i tried this as well but with no luck.
Im stuck until i can find a way to access the hidden popup
Feb 21 2023 07:48 AM
I had a similar issue with Cognos reports and IE mode. I was able to resolve it by going to Control panel - Internet Options - check turn on Pop-up Blocker and Settings select medium for blocking level and check Show notifications.
I hope that helps.