We stand with Ukraine to help keep people safe. Join us
All Apps
Best AppsReviewsComparisonsHow-To
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission
HomeBrowsingInternet Explorer

Internet Explorer for Mac

Microsoft Web browser for Mac OS X.

Free
In English
Version 5.2.3
2.9
Based on 31 user rates

Internet Explorer overview

Note: Internet Explorer X is no longer under development and is a piece of legacy software.

Tired of Safari? Well, you are in luck then because you can now download Internet Explorer for Mac! This might seem a little counterintuitive at first because Mac users would never need to use Microsoft’s previous flagship browser, right? 

This is certainly true for new websites, especially those that need a modern web browser and modern security features, but sometimes an older browser is necessary. For this reason, you can now download Internet Explorer for Mac OS X, and it's free.

There are legacy websites that still use Flash and Java, so Internet Explorer still has a target audience of websites that it can be used with. Mac Internet Explorer works just as you would expect, and it does a good job at rendering websites and basic navigation.

Can you download Internet Explorer on a Mac?

You can still download Internet Explorer on a Mac through Microsoft's ModernIE service. This is aimed at developers that wish to test features in older browsers, but there’s nothing stopping you from running it as a user. Microsoft Edge is the successor of Internet Explorer.

Internet Explorer Versions

There are currently 4 different versions of Internet Explorer available from the Microsoft Developer website. These are Internet Explorer 8, Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 10, and Internet Explorer 11.

Virtualization Formats Available

Your choice here will depend on your preferred virtualization platform. Microsoft has created virtual machines for VMWare, Vagrant, VirtualBox, Hyper V, and of course, Parallels. Mac users will probably be most familiar with Parallels as it offers seamless integration with MacOS.

Compatibility

Because there is no native Mac OS support for Internet Explorer there needs to be an intermediate layer between the OS and Internet Explorer. This is why virtual machines are used as a way to overcome the lack of active development for the Operating System.

Features

Internet Explorer 11 is the highest version that you can run with this particular solution, and it seems to run flawlessly. Opening web pages to test glitches and errors is very easy thanks to the familiar layout of Internet Explorer.

What’s new in version 5.2.3

Version 5.2.3:
  • Internet Explorer Version 11
  • Legacy Support for Older Websites
  • Private Browsing
  • Reading Mode
  • Download Resume Function
  • Enhanced Error Reporting

FAQ

Can you download Internet Explorer on Mac?
There are several options that will allow you to run Microsoft Internet Explorer on your Mac, but not many that take the virtualization route and allow it to run so easily. There are also older projects that you can try out, but this seems to be the most practical way to do it.
Can you use Internet Explorer on Mac?
Yes, you can. However, there is no active development on the older native installers for Mac OS. This is largely due to the fact that Apple developed its own browser which is still being used by Apple users by default, which is called Safari.
How do you install Internet Explorer on a Mac computer?
At present the best way to install Internet Explorer on a Mac computer is to use a tool such as zip64 and then extract the installation file from the Microsoft download. Once it is installed then you will need to extract the data from the downloaded archive.
What is the latest version of Internet Explorer for Mac?
The latest available version through this method is Internet Explorer version 11, although there is also a Microsoft Edge virtual machine that can also be downloaded and installed if you need something a little more modern and without too much extra work.
Is Safari the same as Internet Explorer?
No, it is not the same. Internet Explorer no longer has active development, so it lacks many of the modern features that Safari has. Internet Explorer works well in this kind of deployment so users can enjoy an Internet Explorer browsing experience on a Mac.

Internet Explorer for Mac

Free
In English
Version 5.2.3

What users say about Internet Explorer

Try our new feature and write a detailed review about Internet Explorer

Write your thoughts in our old-fashioned comment

MacUpdate Comment Policy. We strongly recommend leaving comments, however comments with abusive words, bullying, personal attacks of any type will be moderated.
2.9

(92 Reviews of Internet Explorer)

  • Comments

  • User Ratings

Derekcurrie
Derekcurrie
Oct 16 2019
5.2.3
1.0
Oct 16 2019
1.0
Version: 5.2.3
Maybe there is some compelling reason to use this old thing? But Microsoft themselves suggest NOT using Internet Explorer ever. It's got a lot of known security holes. It doesn't render modern web code. Microsoft even gave up on its successor 'Edge' and replaced their rendering engine with Chromium's (Google Chrome, etc.). IOW: Avoid this.
hemantarya116
hemantarya116
Feb 10 2016
5.2.3
3.5
Feb 10 2016
3.5
Version: 5.2.3
You can use Internet Explorer on yourac free of cost. You just need to download a software named as winebottler. For more information just check it out here http://teensubway.com/internet-explorer-on-mac/
MacHow2-Com
MacHow2-Com
May 5 2013
5.2.3
2.5
May 5 2013
2.5
Version: 5.2.3
If you still need IE for Mac, download this modified version for Lion and Mountain Lion: http://machow2.com/download-internet-explorer-for-mac/ It works on the latest Macs including all Intel Macs. It installs instantly without having to setup a virtual machine so anyone should be able to install it easily.
rrb1952
rrb1952
Oct 31 2012
5.2.3
1.0
Oct 31 2012
1.0
Version: 5.2.3
This crap I just downloaded is asking me to BUY it! Is this NUTS or is this N-U-T-S!??
Jobby
Jobby
Apr 6 2009
5.2.3
0.0
Apr 6 2009
0.0
Version: 5.2.3
How odd. The macupdate.com RSS feed's just shown there's a new version of Internet Explorer, but coming to this page shows that there isn't. Hopefully all the Microsoft folks are busy getting macro support back into Office :)
furenjosh-1
furenjosh-1
May 1 2023
5.2.3
1.0
May 1 2023
1.0
Version: 5.2.3
limbulaxman2233
limbulaxman2233
Dec 28 2022
5.2.3
5.0
Dec 28 2022
5.0
Version: 5.2.3
anyanwugertrude09
anyanwugertrude09
Aug 17 2021
5.2.3
5.0
Aug 17 2021
5.0
Version: 5.2.3
fulltime077
fulltime077
Feb 9 2021
1.0
Feb 9 2021
1.0
Version: null
Derekcurrie
Derekcurrie
Oct 16 2019
1.0
Oct 16 2019
1.0
Version: null
anhduongtruongduy
anhduongtruongduy
Jan 28 2019
4.5
Jan 28 2019
4.5
Version: null
sanchooset
sanchooset
Jun 15 2017
4.0
Jun 15 2017
4.0
Version: null
hemantarya116
hemantarya116
Feb 10 2016
3.5
Feb 10 2016
3.5
Version: null
MacHow2-Com
MacHow2-Com
May 5 2013
2.5
May 5 2013
2.5
Version: null
rrb1952
rrb1952
Oct 31 2012
1.0
Oct 31 2012
1.0
Version: null
Dariocjabie
Dariocjabie
Sep 19 2011
1.0
Sep 19 2011
1.0
Version: null
G4ff3r
G4ff3r
Nov 1 2007
1.0
Nov 1 2007
1.0
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Mar 26 2005
2.5
Mar 26 2005
2.5
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Nov 11 2004
1.3
Nov 11 2004
1.3
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Jul 13 2004
2.3
Jul 13 2004
2.3
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Jan 28 2004
2.0
Jan 28 2004
2.0
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Sep 11 2003
4.5
Sep 11 2003
4.5
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Jun 20 2003
5.0
Jun 20 2003
5.0
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Jun 17 2003
2.3
Jun 17 2003
2.3
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Jun 17 2003
4.8
Jun 17 2003
4.8
Version: null
Fhoward
Fhoward
Jun 16 2003
4.5
Jun 16 2003
4.5
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Jun 16 2003
1.0
Jun 16 2003
1.0
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Sep 26 2002
3.5
Sep 26 2002
3.5
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Jul 6 2002
4.5
Jul 6 2002
4.5
Version: null
1•18•20
1•18•20
Apr 23 2002
2.5
Apr 23 2002
2.5
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Apr 20 2002
2.8
Apr 20 2002
2.8
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Jul 15 2001
3.5
Jul 15 2001
3.5
Version: null
Guest
Guest
May 24 2001
4.0
May 24 2001
4.0
Version: null
Guest
Guest
May 24 2001
4.3
May 24 2001
4.3
Version: null
Guest
Guest
May 24 2001
1.0
May 24 2001
1.0
Version: null
Guest
Guest
May 24 2001
2.8
May 24 2001
2.8
Version: null