Microsoft Internet Explorer Download for Mac: Get IE on Your Mac

If you’re a Mac user who’s feeling nostalgic or needs to use Internet Explorer for compatibility reasons, you’re not alone. While Internet Explorer has long been discontinued for Mac, some legacy apps and websites still require it. And every Mac user will find themselves in a bit of a pickle when it comes to using Internet Explorer. But in this guide, I’ll show you how to download and use Microsoft Internet Explorer on your Mac. Whether you’re a developer, a researcher, or just someone who wants to relive the old-school browsing experience, we’ve got you covered!

But first, Why Do You Need Internet Explorer on a Mac?

You might be wondering why anyone would want to download Internet Explorer on a Mac now! Well, there are a few good reasons:

1. Legacy Web Apps: Some older apps or websites still rely on Internet Explorer for compatibility.

2. Testing and Development: Web developers might need to see how their projects look on IE.

3. Nostalgia: There’s something oddly satisfying about seeing that old blue “e” logo again.

Whatever your reason, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at how you can get Internet Explorer on your Mac today.

A Quick History of Internet Explorer on Mac

Back in the early 2000s, Internet Explorer was the go-to browser for both Windows and Mac users. On June 17, 2002, Microsoft launched Internet Explorer 5.2 for Mac OS X, which turned out to be the last version ever made for Mac. It came with a few unique features, like support for Japanese Kanji and Chinese characters, a scrapbook feature, and even an auction manager for tracking eBay auctions.

Despite its popularity, Apple eventually launched its own browser, Safari, in 2003, leading to Internet Explorer being phased out. By 2006, Microsoft had removed IE from Mac download sites altogether, marking the end of its Mac journey.

But here’s the kicker: Even now, some people still need to run IE on their Macs. So how do you do it? Let’s find out.

How do you download Microsoft Internet Explorer on a Mac?

Here are some of the ways to download Microsoft Internet Explorer on a Mac.

Option 1: Using Wine or WineBottler

1. Download Wine or WineBottler: These apps let you run Windows applications on your Mac. You can get them from the official websites or trusted software repositories.
2. Install Wine or WineBottler: Follow the installation steps to set up the compatibility layer.
3. Download Internet Explorer Installer: Find a compatible IE installer online and download it to your Mac.
4. Run the Installer with Wine: Open the installer through Wine or WineBottler, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup.
5. Launch and Test: Once installed, you can open Internet Explorer directly from the Wine environment and test it out.

Option 2: Run Parallels Desktop to use IE on a Mac

First, get Parallels Desktop. It’s a paid tool, but it’s one of the most reliable ways to run Windows on your Mac without rebooting. Follow the installation instructions, and once it’s done, launch the application.

Run Parallels and Create a Virtual Machine (VM): Open Parallels Desktop and select the option to create a new virtual machine. You can either install Windows from a DVD, ISO file of Windows, or even migrate an existing Windows PC.

Follow the guided steps, choose your Windows version, and let Parallels do its thing. The setup process is intuitive and straightforward.

Install Windows on the VM: Once your virtual machine is created, start it up. You’ll be greeted by the Windows setup screen. Follow the standard installation steps, such as choosing your language, and configuring your preferences. After the installation, make sure to install Parallels Tools, as it enhances the integration between macOS and the virtual machine.

Now that Windows is up and running, open your preferred browser (like Edge or Chrome) and download Internet Explorer. Once downloaded, follow the installation steps to get IE up and running on your VM.

One of the best things about Parallels is its ability to run Windows apps side by side with your macOS apps. Launch IE from your Windows VM, and you’ll notice how smoothly it works, just like any other Mac application. You can even pin it to your dock for quick access.

Parallels Desktop is a great solution because it doesn’t require you to reboot your Mac to switch between Windows and macOS. It also offers excellent performance and seamless app integration, making it ideal for users who need IE regularly. But if you want, you can also dual boot your Mac with Windows. This way, you can use IE without any virtual machine.

Related: Install Windows 11 on Mac without Boot Camp

Download Microsoft Internet Explorer for Mac

To download Microsoft Internet Explorer for Mac, click the link below to get started:

Key Features of Internet Explorer for Mac

Japanese and Chinese Language Support: Great for multilingual web pages, allowing seamless browsing of East Asian content.

Scrapbook Feature: Save web pages exactly as they appear, letting you archive important content for offline viewing or future reference.

eBay Auction Manager: Stay on top of your bids with ease, automatically tracking your active auctions and notifications.

Advanced PNG Support: This includes transparency and color correction, which was groundbreaking at the time for accurate web graphics display.

Customizable Interface: Match browser colors with your iMac G3, with up to 15 color options to suit your aesthetic preference.

Print Preview: Adjust font sizes directly from the preview pane, making it easy to tailor print layouts to your liking.

Page Holder Sidebar: Keep pages handy while you browse, allowing for quick access without losing your current view.

Text Zoom and History Go Menu: Make browsing more accessible with flexible text resizing and easy navigation through your browsing history.

Blurry Autocomplete Windows: A unique touch that blurred the content behind the autocomplete suggestions,

ColorSync Support: Match web page colors with your display profile, ensuring color accuracy when viewing or printing web content.

Translucent UI Elements: The translucent UI introduced a fresh and modern look, way ahead of its time compared to other browsers.

Finder Integration: The URL from downloaded content was automatically saved in Finder’s comment field, making it easy to trace back where files came from.

Robust Cookie Management: Enhanced privacy settings for managing and deleting cookies, helping users maintain better control over their online footprint.

Improved Stability and Performance: The final versions offered a smoother browsing experience, with faster page loads and fewer crashes.

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FAQs

Can I still use Internet Explorer on a modern Mac?

Yes, with the right virtualization or compatibility tool, you can run IE on macOS.

What’s the best way to run IE on Mac?

Using Remote Desktop with a virtual machine is the most reliable way, but WineBottler can work for simple tasks.

Is there a native Mac version of IE available?

No, Microsoft discontinued Internet Explorer for Mac in 2006.

While Internet Explorer may seem like a relic from the past, and long gone from the Mac ecosystem. It’s still possible to run it with a few clever workarounds. Whether you need it for development or just want a blast from the past, you now have the tools to get it running on your Mac.

Stay tuned for more tech guides, and let us know if you need help with any other software or browser setup!