With the demise of Internet Explorer (RIP), the Enterprise Mode Site list is now an essential part of any estate where you have vendor websites which are only compatible with Internet Explorer. If you have such websites, you have my sympathies, but you do have options available to you.
In this post I’m going to run through setting up a traditional site mode list hosted in an Azure blob as well as looking at the new Cloud Enterprise Site list (which is my preferred approach)
Classic Enterprise Site List
Chances are you have probably come across these at some point as they’ve been used since the days of IE7 with on-prem GPO setups, but for the benefit of those who haven’t (or are just rusty), I’ll run through from scratch.
First we’ll need to install the Enterprise Mode Site List Manager from here
Once installed, you’ll get a very simple GUI to use:
Click Add and add the web address and the compatibility mode needed
Once you’ve added your sites, you’ll be able to see them in a list and edit/delete as needed
Now we need to export the XML
I would also suggest exporting the file at this point as well. You will notice there is no Open option so unless you want to get dirty with the xml, the only option is to Import a previously exported file
Now we need somewhere to host the file and as we’re working with AAD joined machines, internet is the best option so I’ll use an Azure blob
First create a storage account, I’m calling mine IntuneFiles because I’ll probably also use it for background images. No need for GRS or anything like that for something as basic as this
Unless you have particular requirements, you can leave everything else as default and click Create
Once completed, go to the resource and click Containers
Create a container, set the Blob to Public so the devices can grab the XML
Now we need to upload the XML. I’d upload the EMIE file as well so that whoever updates next can grab it from the same place
Once uploaded, click on the XML file and grab the URL
Now navigate to the Intune Portal here
Click Devices – Configuration Profiles – New Profile
We want Windows 10/11 and Settings Catalog
Name it
Add a setting and find Microsoft Edge – Configure the Enterprise Mode Site List
Enable it and enter the URL
Add any Scope tags and then assign it. It’s a Device based policy, so I’m assigning to a Device Group. If you use the User-Based config, assign it to a user based group.
That’s the ‘old fashioned’ way, now time to look at the new option
Enterprise Mode Cloud Site List
Now out of preview, this is easier to manage and does not require any sort of Azure Storage. Configuration in Intune is basically the same as well so it seems a no-brainer.
First, we need to navigate to the Office admin portal here
Then you want Settings – Org Settings
Select Microsoft Edge Site Lists
Once it has done the initial setup, create a new list:
Click on the new list
Add a site
I usually select Allow Redirect because often these old sites bounce around various URLs
When finished, click Save
Add any other URLs as needed. You will see they are all Pending
We now need to click Validate Site List
As long as everything is ok, select the Checkbox to select all sites and hit Publish
It will prompt for a version, which is extremely nice to have and allows you to look back at previous versions using the drop-down at the top
It should show as published now
Once published, grab the Site List ID from the same page
Now back to Intune
Devices – Configuration Profiles – New Configuration Profile
Again Windows 10/11 Settings Catalog
Name it
This time, Add a Setting and Select Microsoft Edge and Enterprise Mode Cloud Site List (user or device)
Enable it and add the ID from the page earlier
Then assign it as usual and away you go.
That’s it, you’re up and running. Happy site-listing (and tell your vendors to fix the sites!)
fantastic