A Guide to Installing the Edge Alternative Internet Explorer on Mac
Introduction:
While Mac users are accustomed to using Safari as their default web browser, there are instances when they may need to access websites or applications that are specifically optimized for Internet Explorer. Despite Microsoft’s decision to discontinue Internet Explorer in favor of Microsoft Edge, some legacy systems and websites still rely on Internet Explorer compatibility. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to install and use the Edge alternative version of Internet Explorer on your Mac.
Step 1: Download a Virtual Machine Software:
To run Internet Explorer on your Mac, you will need to create a virtual machine (VM) that emulates a Windows environment. There are several virtual machine software options available, but for this guide, we will use VirtualBox, which is a free and widely used choice. Visit the official VirtualBox website (https://www.virtualbox.org) and download the appropriate version for your Mac.
Step 2: Download a Windows ISO File:
Next, you will need a Windows ISO file to install the Windows operating system within the virtual machine. Microsoft provides official ISO files for Windows operating systems. Visit the Microsoft website (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO) and download the ISO file for the version of Windows you want to install. Make sure to choose the correct edition and language.
Step 3: Install VirtualBox and Create a Virtual Machine:
Once the VirtualBox installation file has finished downloading, open it and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software on your Mac. After the installation is complete, launch VirtualBox.
To create a new virtual machine, click on the “New” button in the VirtualBox interface. Give your virtual machine a name, select the Windows version that matches the ISO file you downloaded, and allocate appropriate resources (RAM and storage) to the virtual machine. Follow the prompts to set up the virtual machine.
Step 4: Install Windows in the Virtual Machine:
With the virtual machine created, select it from the VirtualBox main screen and click on the “Start” button. VirtualBox will prompt you to select the Windows ISO file you downloaded earlier. Locate and select the ISO file, then click on the “Start” button to launch the virtual machine.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows within the virtual machine. This process is similar to installing Windows on a physical PC. Once the installation is complete, you will have a Windows environment running on your Mac.
Step 5: Download and Install Internet Explorer:
Within the Windows virtual machine, launch the default web browser (Microsoft Edge) and visit the official Microsoft Internet Explorer download page (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/internet-explorer.aspx). Download the appropriate version of Internet Explorer that meets your compatibility needs. It’s recommended to choose the latest available version for security and performance reasons.
After the download is complete, locate the downloaded installer file and run it within the Windows virtual machine. Follow the installation prompts to complete the installation of Internet Explorer.
Step 6: Access Internet Explorer on Your Mac:
Once Internet Explorer is installed within the Windows virtual machine, you can access it by launching the virtual machine from VirtualBox. The virtual machine will open in a separate window, presenting you with a full Windows desktop experience. Within this virtual environment, you can run Internet Explorer as you would on a Windows PC.
Conclusion:
By following the steps outlined in this guide, Mac users can install the Edge alternative version of Internet Explorer on their machines. Creating a virtual machine with software like VirtualBox enables users to run Windows and access Internet Explorer within a virtual environment on their Macs. While this solution provides compatibility for legacy systems and websites that require Internet Explorer, it’s worth noting that Microsoft Edge and other modern browsers remain the recommended choice for optimal security, performance