How Do I Use Internet Explorer on a Mac?

For many years, Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) was widely used as a web browser for both Windows and macOS platforms. However, after Microsoft stopped supporting IE for Mac in 2003 and eventually removed it from their downloads site in 2006, using the browser on a Mac became less practical.

Despite this, there are still ways to use Internet Explorer on a Mac, although they may not be as straightforward as using other web browsers like Safari. Here's how you can do it:

Selecting User Agent

One way to access IE on your Mac is by selecting 'Develop' > 'User Agent' from the Safari Menu bar. This will temporarily change your browser's user agent string to that of Internet Explorer, allowing you to test and access websites that are designed for IE.

Using Rosetta (Archived Version)

An archived version of Internet Explorer is available for download on the Microsoft website, but it only works on Mac OS X 10.6 and earlier versions because of the discontinuation of Rosetta. Keep in mind that this version may not be compatible with modern websites due to its age.

Testing IE from Safari

Safari also allows you to test Internet Explorer right from your Mac OS. This can be done by using the 'Develop' > 'User Agent' option as mentioned earlier or by using a third-party browser extension.

History of Internet Explorer on Mac

Internet Explorer for Mac was first released in 1997 as part of the five-year agreement between Apple and Microsoft. It was the default browser on classic Mac OS and Mac OS X from 1998 until it was replaced by Safari in 2003 with the release of Mac OS X 10.3 'Panther'.

While Internet Explorer may no longer be supported or recommended for use on Macs, there are still ways to access the browser if needed. By using the User Agent option in Safari or downloading an archived version of the software, you can test and use Internet Explorer on your Mac. However, it's important to note that these methods may not work with modern websites due to compatibility issues.

How do i use internet explorer on a mac