How to download Internet Explorer on Mac

Internet Explorer was the default browser for all Macs until 2003, when Apple released its own browser, Safari. Two years later, Microsoft ended support for Internet Explorer for Mac, but today, you may still want to use this age-old browser, now revamped and with a new look, on your MacBook.

But it's still the default browser for Windows although it has faced stiff competition from other browsers, such as Google Chrome and Opera. To keep up with the competition, Microsoft has revamped it with a new design and a host of features that were missing some years ago. You may still want to use it on your MacBook.

Why you might want Internet Explorer on Mac

People may wonder why anyone would consider the possibility of Internet Explorer for Mac when Safari, the default browser on MacBooks, is more than enough. Here are some reasons you might want to use Microsoft's default browser on your Mac:

1. For testing purposes

If you're the adventurous type, you may want to know how certain websites load or behave on different browsers. You may also want to see how a recently created website would behave on an old browser like Internet Explorer. Since you aren't on the Windows platform, you will have to find a way to install Internet Explorer on Mac so you can conduct your browser tests.

2. A feeling of the good old times

You may also feel nostalgic about the earlier versions of Windows and their browsers. There were no MacBooks during those days, and if you had a computer, it was definitely running the Internet Explorer browser. The oldest version of this browser had weaknesses that people never realized because you had nothing to make comparisons with. For example, a new website would load on another window instead of a new tab, so you would end up with tens of windows in your browsing session. You can download Internet Explorer for Mac to relive the good old times.

3. To access certain websites locked to other browsers

Some websites, especially those belonging to governments and government agencies can only be accessed through Internet Explorer. Though this limitation was limited, you can have a better experience visiting those websites from Internet Explorer, now Microsoft Edge, than other proprietary browsers.

4. Just switched from PC to Mac

You might not want to leave your favorite browser behind when you make the switch from Windows to Mac OS. Since you can't install Microsoft's browser directly on your Mac, you have to find a way to do it, so you can continue using the browser on the new platform.

How to get Internet Explorer on Mac

To download Internet Explorer for Mac, and use it, you will need the services of efficient virtualization software, which helps you create a Windows virtual machine on your Mac. The virtualization software gives you the ability to run Windows, which comes with Internet Explorer (now Microsoft Edge) on your Mac.

If you're looking for efficient virtualization software, you can consider Parallels Desktop for Mac. Once you have it installed on your system, you need the Windows ISO file to get Windows installed on your Mac. When you run Windows on your Mac, you will also be able to use Internet Explorer.

Conclusion

Internet Explorer has since evolved into Microsoft Edge with a sleek new interface, and a host of innovative features which help it to keep up with the competition. If you want to use it on your Mac, you need to install a virtual machine, through Parallels Desktop, so you can run Windows on macOS.