Online Internet Explorer Testing

Browserling lets you cross-browser test your websites and web applications in online Internet Explorer versions. We run actual Windows installations in virtual machines and you get access to real Internet Explorers. We don't use IE emulators or simulators, so what you get is the native and real IE.

Try Online IE Now!

Enter your website here and start testing in an online IE:

We offer IE11 for free but other IE versions require a developer plan. With a developer plan, you can also access all these IE versions:

  • Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) on Windows XP
  • Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) on Windows XP
  • Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) on Windows XP
  • Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) on Windows Vista
  • Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) on Windows Vista
  • Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) on Windows Vista
  • Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) on Windows 7
  • Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) on Windows 7
  • Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) on Windows 7
  • Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) on Windows 7
  • Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) on Windows 8
  • Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) on Windows 8.1

And we also support testing in the new Edge browser.

Online Internet Explorer Testing FAQ

Can I use Internet Explorer online without downloading it?

Yes! You can use IE online without downloading it by using our service. We run real IE versions on native Windows machines and stream them as a video to your browser. No need to install anything, just open the following link to connect to an online IE: browserling.com/browse/ie.

Can I test my website on IE without a Windows computer?

Absolutely! Our platform lets you run real Internet Explorer versions from any device, including Mac, Linux, and even mobile. Because we host IE on cloud-based Windows machines, you don't need a Windows PC to test your website. Click here to load an online IE browser.

Is this a real Internet Explorer or is it an emulator?

This is a real Internet Explorer. We run IE on actual Windows computers and stream the desktop to you. You can use Internet Explorer as an online browser from your own browser. We developed smart desktop-sharing technology to make this possible.

Do you have IE developer tools installed?

Yes, you can access Internet Explorer developer tools by pressing F12. This opens the IE Developer Tools, where you can inspect elements, debug JavaScript, and analyze network activity. However, keep in mind that these tools are outdated compared to modern browsers like Chrome and Firefox.

What challenges did developers face in Internet Explorer?

Throughout its existence, Internet Explorer presented several challenges to web developers due to its quirks, inconsistent behavior, legacy decisions, and often slow adoption of new web standards. These challenges varied depending on the version and here's an overview of the main issues developers faced with IE:

  • Box Model Bugs: IE6 interpreted the CSS box model differently from other browsers. This often resulted in layouts appearing differently in IE compared to browsers like Firefox or Chrome.
  • PNG Transparency Problems: IE6 did not support alpha transparency in PNG images correctly.
  • CSS Compatibility Issues: IE often lagged behind in adopting the latest CSS standards. Developers had to use browser-specific hacks or fallbacks to ensure consistent styling.
  • JavaScript Inconsistencies: There were discrepancies in JavaScript execution between IE and other browsers, which sometimes resulted in scripts failing or behaving unpredictably.
  • Slow Adoption of HTML5: While other browsers moved quickly to adopt HTML5 features, IE heavily lagged behind, forcing developers to use polyfills or alternative methods to achieve the desired functionality.
  • Rendering Modes and Document Types: Developers often had to grapple with IE's various document modes and doctype triggers to control the rendering mode of the browser, leading to added complexity in ensuring consistent website design.
  • Inconsistent DOM: The Document Object Model (DOM) in IE had inconsistencies when compared to other browsers, leading to challenges in dynamic content manipulation.
  • Vendor Prefixes: Like other browsers, IE had its own set of vendor-specific prefixes (it had a prefix -ms-) for certain CSS properties. This required developers to write additional lines of code for styling that might have been standardized in other browsers.
  • Lack of Modern Developer Tools: Earlier versions of IE lacked comprehensive developer tools, making debugging and performance testing more challenging compared to browsers like Chrome or Firefox.
  • Performance Issues: IE often had performance issues, especially concerning JavaScript execution and rendering, compared to Chrome and Firefox.
  • Security Vulnerabilities: Early IE versions, especially IE6 and IE7, were often criticized for security vulnerabilities, some of which were exploited in the wild.

The rapid evolution of web standards, coupled with the legacy challenges associated with the IE brand, meant that it still faced challenges. This was a major factor in Microsoft's decision to develop and shift focus to Edge.

What was the most common bug in Internet Explorer?

The most common bug in older IEs, such as IE8, was forgetting the trailing comma in a JavaScript object:

var data = {
  "one" : 5,
  "two" : 10,  // <- trailing comma here, delete it!
};

When were various IE versions released?

As we support online Internet Explorer versions starting from 6, then we only have kept track of IE release dates since IE6. Here are all the release dates for IE6 to IE11:

  • Internet Explorer 11: IE11 was released on October 17, 2013 for Windows 8.1 and on November 7, 2013 for for Windows 7.
  • Internet Explorer 10: IE10 was released on October 26, 2012 for Windows 8 and on February 26, 2013 for Windows 7.
  • Internet Explorer 9: IE9 was released on March 14, 2011 for Windows Vista and Windows 7.
  • Internet Explorer 8: IE8 was released on March 19, 2009 for Windows XP and Windows Vista.
  • Internet Explorer 7: IE7 was released on October 18, 2006 for Windows Vista.
  • Internet Explorer 6: IE6 was released on August 24, 2001 for Windows XP and later on August 6, 2004, IE6 SV1 was released for Windows XP as part of service pack 2 (SP2).

What is the latest IE version?

The last version of Internet Explorer ever released was Internet Explorer 11 (IE11). It came out in 2013 and was officially retired in 2022. Microsoft replaced it with the Edge browser, which is now the default on Windows. You can still access an online IE 11 via our platform: browserling.com/browse/ie/11.

What is the earliest IE version?

The very first version of Internet Explorer was IE 1, released in 1995 as part of Windows 95. It was extremely basic, with almost no features compared to modern browsers. We don't offer this version as it's very old and we don't have Windows 95, but the earliest online IE version that you can access via Browserling is IE6 on Windows XP. Use this link open online IE 6 via our platform: browserling.com/browse/ie/6.

Do you also offer testing in the new Edge browser?

Yes, you can test in the new Edge browser if you select the Windows 10 operating system.

Why does my website look different in Internet Explorer?

IE doesn't support many modern web standards, so your site might break or look weird. Old IE versions also handle CSS and JavaScript differently than Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

How do I fix CSS issues in Internet Explorer?

Try adding CSS fixes like conditional comments or using -ms- prefixes. Sometimes, you may need separate stylesheets just for IE. If possible, use a modern browser instead.

Why do some websites say “Your browser is not supported” in Internet Explorer?

Because IE is outdated, many sites block it for security and performance reasons. If you see this message, try opening the site in Edge, Chrome, or Firefox instead.

Why do some websites break in older Internet Explorer versions?

Older versions of IE don't support modern CSS, JavaScript, or HTML5 features. They also have quirks like broken box models and JavaScript inconsistencies, which can cause layout and functionality issues.

Is there a way to automatically fix IE compatibility issues?

Some tools, like polyfills and IE-specific CSS hacks, can help. But in most cases, updating your site to support modern browsers is the best solution.

What is a polyfill?

A polyfill is a piece of code (usually JavaScript) that adds missing features to older browsers. It helps them support modern web technologies they don't understand. For example, IE doesn't support fetch(), so a polyfill can mimic it using XMLHttpRequest. This way, websites can work even in old browsers.

What are the most popular polyfills for Internet Explorer?

Some of the most common polyfills used for IE include:

  • core-js– adds ES6+ support to old IEs.
  • html5shiv – enables missing HTML5 elements in old IEs.
  • es5-shim – fixes JavaScript compatibility issues in old IEs.

How do polyfills work with a bundler like Webpack or Parcel?

If you're using a bundler like Webpack or Parcel, you can include polyfills in your project so they're automatically added when needed. Many developers use Babel with core-js to convert modern JavaScript into an IE-friendly version.

Do I need a polyfill for CSS in Internet Explorer?

Yes, sometimes! Old IE versions don't support many modern CSS features like flexbox, grid, or CSS variables. You might need CSS hacks, fallbacks, or JavaScript-based polyfills like css-polyfills to make your styles work correctly.

Should I still use polyfills for IE in 2025?

Not really. Microsoft officially retired IE, and most websites no longer support it. If you still need to support IE users, consider using IE Mode in Microsoft Edge instead of relying on polyfills.

Does JavaScript ES6 work in Internet Explorer?

No, older versions of IE don't support modern JavaScript (ES6+). You'll need transpilers like Babel to convert ES6 code into ES5, which IE can understand.

Can I force users to open my site in a different browser instead of IE?

Yes! You can use JavaScript to detect IE and display a message suggesting users switch to Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Some websites even block IE completely for security and performance reasons.

Can I run Internet Explorer on Windows 11?

No, IE is completely removed from Windows 11. However, Microsoft Edge has an IE Mode that lets you run older websites that require IE. To enable it, open Edge, go to Settings - Default Browser, and turn on "Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode". Then restart Edge, and you can open sites in IE Mode by right-clicking the tab and selecting "Reload in Internet Explorer mode".

What's the best way to move away from Internet Explorer?

If your business or website still relies on IE, consider upgrading web applications, using Microsoft Edge in IE Mode, or migrating to modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. Most websites today no longer support IE at all.

What is an Internet Explorer emulator?

An IE emulator is a tool that tries to mimic the look and behavior of an IE without actually running the real browser. It's useful for getting a rough idea of how a website might look in IE, but it's not always accurate. Simulators don't use the real IE engine, so they might miss certain bugs and quirks that only happen in the actual browser. They're ok for quick checks, but for serious testing, you'd need real IE browsers.

What is an Internet Explorer simulator?

An IE simulator is a program that tries to copy IE without running it. It looks like IE but doesn't work exactly the same way. Some websites might display incorrectly or behave differently. For accurate testing, it's best to use a real IE browser on a Windows machine.

Can you help us debug our old IE app?

Sure! Shoot us an email at hello@browserling.com and we'll solve it for you. We have the expertise and infrastructure to quickly debug and solve all Internet Explorer compatibility issues. We have been doing this for over 10 years!

Can I run modern webapps in old IEs?

Glad you asked. We developed a technology called Live API that lets you run modern browsers in Internet Explorer 8+. Here's how it works – we embed a modern Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Opera inside IE. It doesn't require any additional installations. It all just works through JavaScript!

Can I run old IE apps in modern browsers?

Yes! Just like we can run modern apps in old IEs (see previous question), we can also run old IE apps in modern browsers (reverse!). This can also be achieved via our Live API technology. One of our customers (University of Basel in Switzerland) is using exactly this to run an archive of old IE programs that no longer work in modern browsers. We embed old IEs in their webpages and anyone can still use their old apps from any modern browser.

Support

For technical support please contact us at support@browserling.com or use the contact forum.