IE can't but MyIE2 (freeware) can do that.
http://www.webattack.com/get/myiebrowser.shtml
I don't use IE anymore, I prefer MyIE2 which is a tabbed browser based on IE but without the bloat of IE.
It is probably best described as a new shell (with added functionality) for Internet Explorer.
Added features include
- a tabbed interface for multiple pages
- built-in pop-up blocking
- horizontal and vertical tiling of multiple pages
- you can open a lot of URLs with one click (via groups or right click on favorite folders)
- you can lock a page
- you can reopen the last closed tabs if you don't remember the URL (kinda "undo")
-
you can have an automatic refresh of pages with a refresh frequency you specify
- you can delete all the URLs in the Address bar or only one, delete the cache, the history, the forms autocomp, etc.
- you have skins
- You can totally hide MyIE2 with a shortcut, not even visible in the SysTray. Handy if you are not supposed to surf.

- and many more options
give it a try, very easy to uninstall, no bloat in the registry.
But once you have surfed with a tabbed browser and an integrated popup server, you can't miss it
Pierre.