If you upgraded to Windows 8.1 and tried to access Outlook Web App with the new Internet Explorer 11, you probably noticed that the “Use the light version of Outlook Web App” checkbox is checked and disabled on the login page:
That means that IE11 is willing to render only the basic version of OWA which was originally designed to target legacy browsers. This is quite embarassing, because IE11 is a really modern browser even in the preview!
The solution is to force IE to render OWA in compatibility mode. You can add the site to the compatibility list in the Tools –> Compatibility View Settings dialog:
This didn’t solve my problem, because only top-level domains can be added to this list, but I could took the advantage of the fact that according to the first checkbox, intranet sites are by default rendered in compatibility view. So I added my OWA URL to the list of sites in the Intranet Zone in the Tools –> Internet Options –> Security –> Local intranet –> Sites –> Advanced dialog.
According to some forum posts, the same issue arises with Office 365 and some popular websites like GitHub as well.
I learned it. I share it. 
Hey Balassy-
Your last post [Use Outlook Web App in full version with IE 11) – June 2013 update] was freaking awesome. I have gone ahead and added your stuff to my Feedly account. Please keep me updated if you post anywhere else.
Keep rocking –
Jon
Good job! Was wondering what happened.
Wes
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Thanks a lot! It worked just as you said!
Thanks for the tip. Works great
Awesome , this totally fixed an issue i was having on a agent’s machine. THANKS!!
Do extra-terrestrial beings exist? – the Nobel Prize winning Italian physicist, Enrico Fermi, was once asked by his disciples in California. Of course, Fermi answered – they are already here among us, they are called Hungarians… 😉
THX
Thanks so much…I was wondering what was up. It worked once I added the OWA URL to the compatibility view. Just like you said. Thanks a million!
Thank you for your brilliant work around. I suddenly found myself with the issue after an IE update. Your solution fixed it. Well done!
And worked GREAT with Windows 7. Thank you!
Thanks!!! This was the only right answer!!!
Thank you, this was the only solution that worked for my issue (overnight update of Windows 7 caused the problem
Thanks a lot György. This was a great help. What a relief to work again with the extended OWA.
Wow! Thanks much Gyrogy! Your help was great and right on the money.
Very helpful (far better than Microsoft help) – problem solved – thanks.
Had the same problem and with the light application I had no longer access to my local folders to archive my mails. Your suggestion solved all my problems. Microsoft should really change that !
You da man. Quick and to the point.
Fantastic!!
Thank you so much! Spent hours trying to figure out what was wrong until I came across your post.
Thanks this solution worked great.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to write this! I was pulling my hair out trying to fix it – my husband found your blog in less than 5 minutes and TADA…fixed! He (hubby) wants both of you to send me a bill! Next drink is on me if you’re ever in Washington, D.C…THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
Deal! 🙂 Thank you for the feedback, Susan!
worked perfect!
Thanks from Chicago, Gyorgy! Worked perfectly!
Thanks for the feedback, Vern!
Thanks from me, as well! I was ready to blame my wife for messing up the settings, so you’ve saved me from unjustly accusing her!
Thank you so much!! This worked for me
This really works! You are awesome! I called the IT Office of the University and not one of them could deal with it even after three weeks. I found your explanation and it works immediately! Thank God as that light version was annoying. You are awesome…God Bless you!
I tried for several hours to fix this, after the Windows 8 “upgrade”, and found your information very helpful. Why it would be set to lite version default, after the upgrade, is very odd to me.
This is fantastic. Thanks! Other potential solutions to the problem of defaulting to light are here:
1. When you sign in, look for Use the light version of Outlook Web App on the sign-in page. If it is there, and the check box is selected, click to clear the check box and switch to the standard version of Outlook Web App.
2. After you’ve signed in, click Options > Accessibility and clear the “Use the blind and low vision experience” check box. Log off internet explorer, then log back on. If that didn’t solve the problem, then try this:
3. Clear the Cache: After you’ve signed in, click Tools > internet options > General Tab > Browsing History section > Delete button > Check off all boxes > Select Delete. Log off internet explorer, then log back on.
4. Last solution (requires the assistance of your IT dept):
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/exchange/en-US/4876044f-b2dc-41ed-a187-3679cd7799ab/owa-light-version-is-default
The Outlook Light Version was driving me crazy. I spent countless hours trying to figure out how to remove it. You are the bomb!!! Thank you very much.
This solution was just fantastic! This was the only answer to the problem, thank you!
I never leave comments anywhere. So listen up. I have been looking for this outlook web access solution for months, and you have finally provided the answer! Thanks man.
Thanks and Happy New Year, Jeff!
Its awesome…!!
Awesome!!
Great fix for an annoying problem. Thanks!
Amazing, bullseye, thank you very much !
Thank you so much for a spot on solution.
Done 🙂 what a workarround … smashed 😉
Worked like charm
Hello! I’ve been following your weblog for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout
out from Lubbock Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the good work!
THank you very much! Worked for me! IE 11, Win 8.1.
Thanks. Solved my problem
May I add my thanks to this long list!
I too have ‘made the effort’ to sign in and post my thanks because I was not getting the answer through Outlook’s help. To paraphrase Einstein ‘always keep things as simple as possible’ I think Outlook should remember that. Thank you for your help!!!
all my respect for a smart guy! fast and easy! thank you.
Perfect – was trying to troubleshoot this for a customer using IE11 whilst I was using Chrome and not seeing the same problem until I tried IE11 myself. Problem now sorted
Fantastic posting. It fixed my problem to be able to switch to a full version of outlook web app. Thanks so much
ily
Please help! I cannot find “Compatibility View Settings” anywhere!
There’s definately a great deal to learn about this issue.
I like all the points you’ve made.
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Great article. That Microsoft is so incompetent as to put out a web browser that by default cannot render Microsoft’s premium productivity product web page is unbelievable.
Your advice was awesome as it worked perfectly!! Thanks for saving me the headache!!
Great , your solution working fine! Thanks a lot!!!
thank you very much, it works.
Thank you very much. Your solution works. For awhile had this light version checked and disabled and didn’t know how to remove it until I found your posted solution.
Thanks for the feed, Hedam, and Happy New Year!
thanks a lot it really worked well
THANK YOU!!!!!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
This appeared to work for mail, but still cannot see my calendars. What am I doing wrong?
Good question Jan! You solved already? Same problem here…
This is terrific. Thank you very much. Ned
does not work for Exchange 2016 OWA and IE 11.
Perfect! Thanks for posting this.
who else is readin this on 2020? i came here from https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/just-got-ie11-and-now-cant-de-select-light-version/55bf2f25-5282-4478-aaff-e561725d75b6 and it relly works!! thanks so much!! Greetz from mx-city