If you purchased a copy of Windows 11, you likely received a product key. To activate using a product key:
If a business app requires ActiveX, migrate it to a modern web technology (WebAssembly, WebUSB, or native app). For short-term legacy access, use a Windows 11 virtual machine running Windows 7 or Windows 10 with IE11, never on the host OS.
Have you activated Windows 11? Share your experience and any tips you may have in the comments below!
ActiveX technology, once the cornerstone of interactive web content in Internet Explorer, has undergone significant changes in the era of Windows 11. While it is considered a deprecated technology by Microsoft, it remains critical for specific legacy corporate applications, government websites, and older manufacturing software in 2026.
After enabling IE mode, you may need to adjust the security settings to permit controls to run: