Internet Explorer for Mac: The Best Ways to Access It in 2023
- Mention that Internet Explorer for Mac was discontinued by Microsoft in 2003- Give an overview of the main ways to access Internet Explorer on Mac H2: Simulate Internet Explorer on Mac with Safari - Explain how to enable developer tools in Safari- Explain how to change the user agent to different versions of Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge- Mention the advantages and limitations of this method H2: Launch Internet Explorer on a virtual machine - Explain what a virtual machine is and how it works- Explain how to install Windows on Mac with a virtual machine- Explain how to download and run Internet Explorer on Windows- Mention the advantages and limitations of this method H2: Use a third-party browser - Explain how some browsers can emulate Internet Explorer on Mac- Give some examples of browsers that support this feature, such as Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc.- Mention the advantages and limitations of this method H2: Use Microsoft Edge - Explain how Microsoft Edge is the successor of Internet Explorer and supports most of its features- Explain how to download and install Microsoft Edge for Mac- Mention the advantages and limitations of this method H2: Alternatives to Internet Explorer for Mac - Explain why some Mac users may prefer to use other browsers than Internet Explorer- Give some examples of popular browsers for Mac, such as Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.- Compare their features, performance, security, privacy, etc.- Provide a table with a summary of the comparison H2: History of Internet Explorer for Mac - Explain how Internet Explorer for Mac was developed by Microsoft from 1996 to 2003- Explain how it was based on Spyglass Mosaic and had its own layout engine called Tasman- Explain how it was discontinued due to low market share and competition from Safari- Provide a timeline with the major versions and events H2: Conclusion - Summarize the main points of the article- Provide some tips and recommendations for Mac users who want to use Internet Explorer or its alternatives- Invite the reader to share their feedback or questions H2: FAQs - Provide 5 unique questions and answers related to the topic of the article Here is the second table with the article with HTML formatting:
Latest Version For Internet Explorer For Mac
Internet Explorer is one of the most well-known web browsers in the world. It was developed by Microsoft for Windows operating systems and was widely used in the past. However, what if you are a Mac user who wants to use Internet Explorer on your device? Maybe you need it for testing purposes, for accessing certain websites that only work with IE, or for nostalgia reasons.
Latest Version For Internet Explorer For Mac
In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about using Internet Explorer on Mac. We will tell you why Internet Explorer for Mac doesn't exist anymore, how you can simulate it or launch it on your Mac with different methods, what are some alternatives to IE that you can use on your Mac, and what is the history of IE for Mac. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of how to use Internet Explorer on Mac or choose a better option for your browsing needs.
Simulate Internet Explorer on Mac with Safari
One of the easiest ways to use Internet Explorer on Mac is to simulate it with Safari, the default browser for Mac. Safari has a feature called developer tools that allows you to change the user agent of your browser. The user agent is a string of text that identifies your browser to the websites you visit. By changing the user agent, you can make Safari pretend to be Internet Explorer or any other browser.
To enable developer tools in Safari, follow these steps:
Open Safari and go to the Safari menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select Preferences and then click on the Advanced tab.
Check the box that says Show Develop menu in menu bar.
Close the Preferences window and you will see a new Develop menu in your menu bar.
To change the user agent in Safari, follow these steps:
Open Safari and go to the Develop menu in your menu bar.
Select User Agent and then choose one of the options that start with Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. You can choose from different versions of IE or Edge, such as IE 11, Edge 18, Edge 79, etc.
Refresh the webpage you are visiting and it will load as if you were using IE or Edge.
The advantages of this method are that it is simple, fast, and free. You don't need to download or install anything, and you can switch between different user agents easily. The limitations of this method are that it is not a perfect emulation of IE or Edge. Some websites may still detect that you are using Safari and not work properly. Also, some features or functions of IE or Edge may not be available or compatible with Safari.
Launch Internet Explorer on a virtual machine
Another way to use Internet Explorer on Mac is to launch it on a virtual machine. A virtual machine is a software that allows you to run another operating system inside your current one. For example, you can run Windows on Mac with a virtual machine. This way, you can access all the programs and features of Windows, including Internet Explorer, without having to switch devices or partitions.
To launch Internet Explorer on a virtual machine, follow these steps:
Download and install a virtual machine software on your Mac. There are several options available, such as Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, VirtualBox, etc. Some of them are free and some of them are paid. You can compare their features and prices online and choose the one that suits your needs.
Download and install Windows on your virtual machine software. You will need a valid license key for Windows and an ISO file or a DVD of Windows installation media. You can buy Windows online from Microsoft or other retailers, or use an existing copy if you have one. You can also download Windows 10 ISO file for free from Microsoft's website. Follow the instructions of your virtual machine software to create a new virtual machine and install Windows on it.
Download and run Internet Explorer on your Windows virtual machine. Depending on the version of Windows you have installed, you may already have Internet Explorer pre-installed or you may need to download it from Microsoft's website. You can also download other versions of IE or Edge if you want. Once you have IE or Edge installed, you can run it as you would on a regular Windows device.
The advantages of this method are that it is a real emulation of IE or Edge. You can access all the features and functions of IE or Edge as they are designed for Windows. You can also run other Windows programs and applications on your Mac with a virtual machine. The limitations of this method are that it is complex, expensive, and resource-intensive. You need to buy or own a license key for Windows and a virtual machine software. You also need enough disk space, memory, and processing power to run both operating systems smoothly. You may experience some lagging or crashing issues if your Mac is not powerful enough.
Use a third-party browser
A third way to use Internet Explorer on Mac is to use a third-party browser that can emulate IE or Edge on Mac. Some browsers have built-in features or extensions that allow you to change the user agent or render engine of your browser to mimic IE or Edge. This way, you can access websites that require IE or Edge without having to install anything else.
Some examples of browsers that support this feature are:
Chrome: Chrome is one of the most popular browsers for Mac and it has a user agent switcher extension that you can download from the Chrome Web Store. This extension lets you choose from different user agents, including IE 11, Edge 18, Edge 79, etc. You can also customize your own user agent if you want. To use this extension, you need to install it on your Chrome browser, click on its icon in the toolbar, and select the user agent you want to use. You can also access the extension's options to change the settings and preferences.
Firefox: Firefox is another popular browser for Mac and it has a user agent switcher add-on that you can download from the Firefox Add-ons website. This add-on works similarly to the Chrome extension, allowing you to choose from different user agents, including IE 11, Edge 18, Edge 79, etc. You can also create your own user agent if you want. To use this add-on, you need to install it on your Firefox browser, click on its icon in the toolbar, and select the user agent you want to use. You can also access the add-on's options to change the settings and preferences.
Opera: Opera is a lesser-known but still reliable browser for Mac and it has a built-in feature that lets you change the user agent of your browser. To access this feature, you need to open Opera and go to the View menu in the top-left corner of your screen. Select Developer and then User Agent. You will see a list of different user agents, including IE 11, Edge 18, Edge 79, etc. You can also enter your own user agent if you want. To use this feature, you need to select the user agent you want to use and refresh the webpage you are visiting.
The advantages of this method are that it is simple, fast, and free. You don't need to download or install anything else besides a third-party browser and an extension or add-on if needed. You can switch between different user agents easily and quickly. The limitations of this method are that it is not a perfect emulation of IE or Edge. Some websites may still detect that you are using a different browser and not work properly. Also, some features or functions of IE or Edge may not be available or compatible with your third-party browser.
Use Microsoft Edge
A fourth way to use Internet Explorer on Mac is to use Microsoft Edge, the successor of Internet Explorer and the default browser for Windows 10. Microsoft Edge is based on Chromium, the same engine that powers Chrome, and supports most of the features and functions of Internet Explorer. Microsoft Edge is also available for Mac and you can download and install it for free from Microsoft's website.
To use Microsoft Edge on Mac, follow these steps:
Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge and click on the Download button.
Select Mac as your operating system and click on Accept and Download.
Open the downloaded file and drag the Microsoft Edge icon to your Applications folder.
Open Microsoft Edge from your Applications folder or Launchpad.
The advantages of this method are that it is a modern and secure browser that supports most of the features and functions of Internet Explorer. You can access websites that require IE or Edge without any issues. You can also sync your bookmarks, history, passwords, extensions, etc. between your Mac and Windows devices with Microsoft Edge. The limitations of this method are that it is not exactly the same as Internet Explorer. Some websites may still not work properly with Microsoft Edge or require older versions of IE. Also, some features or functions of IE may not be available or compatible with Microsoft Edge.
Alternatives to Internet Explorer for Mac
A fifth way to use Internet Explorer on Mac is to not use it at all and choose an alternative browser instead. Some Mac users may prefer to use other browsers than Internet Explorer for various reasons, such as better performance, security, privacy, compatibility, etc. There are many browsers available for Mac that offer different features and benefits for different users.
Some examples of popular browsers for Mac are:
Safari: Safari is the default browser for Mac and it is designed by Apple to work seamlessly with macOS and iOS devices. Safari is fast, secure, and energy-efficient. It has features such as iCloud integration, Apple Pay support, Siri suggestions, privacy report, etc.
Chrome: Chrome is one of the most widely used browsers in the world and it is developed by Google. Chrome is fast, secure and customizable. It has features such as Google integration, Chrome Web Store, sync across devices, incognito mode, etc.
Firefox: Firefox is a browser that focuses on privacy and security. It is developed by Mozilla, a non-profit organization. Firefox is fast, secure, and flexible. It has features such as Firefox Monitor, Firefox Lockwise, Firefox Send, private browsing, etc.
Opera: Opera is a browser that offers a unique and innovative browsing experience. It is developed by Opera Software, a Norwegian company. Opera is fast, secure, and feature-rich. It has features such as Opera Turbo, Opera VPN, Opera GX, Opera News, etc.
To help you choose the best browser for your Mac, we have compared their features, performance, security, privacy, and compatibility in the table below:
Browser
Features
Performance
Security
Privacy
Compatibility
Safari
- iCloud integration- Apple Pay support- Siri suggestions- Privacy report- Etc.
- Fast and energy-efficient- Optimized for macOS and iOS devices- Supports native features such as Touch Bar and Force Touch- Etc.
- Secure by default- Blocks malicious websites and downloads- Warns about phishing and malware- Supports biometric authentication- Etc.
- Protects against cross-site tracking- Limits access to device information- Allows granular control over permissions- Supports content blockers- Etc.
- Compatible with most websites and web standards- Supports extensions from Safari Extensions Gallery- Supports AirPlay and Picture-in-Picture- Etc.
Chrome
- Google integration- Chrome Web Store- Sync across devices- Incognito mode- Etc.
- Fast and reliable- Supports multiple tabs and windows- Supports Chrome DevTools and Chrome Experiments- Etc.
- Secure by default- Blocks malicious websites and downloads- Warns about phishing and malware- Supports sandboxing and encryption- Etc.
- Protects against cross-site tracking- Limits access to device information- Allows granular control over permissions- Supports content blockers- Etc.
- Compatible with most websites and web standards- Supports extensions from Chrome Web Store- Supports Chromecast and Picture-in-Picture- Etc.
Firefox
- Firefox Monitor- Firefox Lockwise- Firefox Send- Private browsing- Etc.
- Fast and responsive- Supports multiple tabs and windows- Supports Firefox Developer Tools and Firefox Test Pilot- Etc.
- Secure by default- Blocks malicious websites and downloads- Warns about phishing and malware- Supports sandboxing and encryption- Etc.
- Protects against cross-site tracking- Limits access to device information- Allows granular control over permissions- Supports content blockers- Etc.
- Compatible with most websites and web standards- Supports extensions from Firefox Add-ons- Supports Firefox Screenshots and Firefox Notes- Etc.
Opera
- Opera Turbo- Opera VPN- Opera GX- Opera News- Etc.
- Fast and smooth- Supports multiple tabs and windows- Supports Opera Developer Tools and Opera Labs- Etc.
- Secure by default- Blocks malicious websites and downloads- Warns about phishing and malware- Supports sandboxing and encryption- Etc.
- Protects against cross-site tracking- Limits access to device information- Allows granular control over permissions- Supports content blockers- Etc.
- Compatible with most websites and web standards- Supports extensions from Opera Add-ons- Supports Opera Flow and Opera Touch- Etc.
History of Internet Explorer for Mac
Internet Explorer for Mac was a web browser developed by Microsoft for Mac operating systems from 1996 to 2003. It was based on Spyglass Mosaic, a browser that Microsoft licensed from Spyglass Inc. It had its own layout engine called Tasman, which was different from the Trident engine used by Internet Explorer for Windows. It also had some features that were unique to Mac, such as Sherlock search integration, Scrapbook, Auction Manager, etc.
Internet Explorer for Mac was discontinued by Microsoft in 2003 due to low market share and competition from Safari, the default browser for Mac developed by Apple. The last version of Internet Explorer for Mac was 5.2.3, which was released in 2002. Microsoft stopped supporting Internet Explorer for Mac in 2005 and recommended Mac users to switch to Safari or other browsers.
Here is a timeline with the major versions and events of Internet Explorer for Mac:
Year
Version
Event
1996
2.0
The first version of Internet Explorer for Mac was released as part of the Microsoft Office 4.2 for Mac bundle.
1997
3.0
The second version of Internet Explorer for Mac was released as a standalone product. It supported Java, ActiveX, CSS, SSL, etc.
1998
4.0
The third version of Internet Explorer for Mac was released as part of the Mac OS 8.1 update. It introduced the Tasman layout engine, which improved the rendering of HTML and CSS.
2000
5.0
The fourth version of Internet Explorer for Mac was released as part of the Mac OS 9 update. It added support for XML, XSLT, DOCTYPE switching, etc.
2001
5.1
The fifth version of Internet Explorer for Mac was released as part of the Mac OS X update. It added support for Quartz text smoothing, Aqua interface, etc.
2002
5.2.3
The sixth and final version of Internet Explorer for Mac was released as a standalone product. It added support for PNG alpha transparency, Hebrew and Arabic languages, etc.
2003
Internet Explorer for Mac was officially discontinued by Microsoft. Microsoft announced that it would focus on developing Internet Explorer for Windows and that Mac users should use Safari or other browsers.
2005
Microsoft stopped supporting Internet Explorer for Mac and removed it from its website. Microsoft advised Mac users to delete Internet Explorer from their devices and use Safari or other browsers.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained how to use Internet Explorer on Mac or choose an alternative browser. We have discussed the following methods:
Simulate Internet Explorer on Mac with Safari
Launch Internet Explorer on a virtual machine
Use a third-party browser
Use Microsoft Edge
Alternatives to Internet Explorer for Mac
We have also provided a brief history of Internet Explorer for Mac and how it was discontinued by Microsoft. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any feedback or questions,