How to Download IE6 and Other Old Versions of Internet Explorer
Why Would You Need Old Internet Explorer Today?
If you’ve ever used Internet Explorer 6 or other old versions, you probably wonder why people would willingly use those browsers. IE6 is notorious for its security issues and lack of compliance with web standards, and later versions were better but not exactly outstanding.
Today, most people who use Internet Explorer do so because of legacy enterprise software. Many companies built internal web apps decades ago that was designed to only work with IE. Internet Explorer was the dominant browser at that time, so it made sense to create tools that conformed to its standards.
If you’re still forced to use one of these ancient web tools for business use, it won’t work in modern browsers. In these cases, you’ll need to get your hands on an old copy of Internet Explorer.
How to Download Old Versions of Internet Explorer
If you need to install IE6, IE8, or another old version on your computer, what are your options? Let’s take a look.
1. Use Compatibility View in IE11
Did you know that IE11 has a built-in mode that’s designed to help fix sites designed for older versions? It’s a good first step to try if you need to open a website formatted for an old version of IE, as it only takes a second to try.
To use Compatibility View, click the Tools button (which looks like a gear) at the top-right of the browser and choose Compatibility View settings. This will open a new dialog box with the name of your current page in the Add this website box. Click Add to put the website in Compatibility View, then hit Close and reload it.
This only helps with display issues, not entire version incompatibilities. If you need a full copy of an old browser, try one of the methods below.
2. Download IE6 From the Internet Archive
Microsoft used to offer IE6 on its website but has since removed it. Thankfully, the Internet Archive, which is dedicated to preserving internet history, has a copy of IE6 with Service Pack 1 available to download.
It’s available as either a torrent download or ZIP file, weighing in around 78MB. This is the simplest option to grab a copy of IE6 if you need it since the Internet Archive is a trustworthy source.
3. Grab IE8 or Other Versions From OldApps.com
Since IE8 was the browser shipped with Windows 7, some legacy apps require that version instead of IE6. And as it’s a little newer, you can find IE8 from more sources than IE6.
For instance, Microsoft still offers downloads of IE8 on its website. You can find IE8 for Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 as well as IE8 for Windows Server 2003.
Since you probably don’t use either of these OSes, though, you’re better off grabbing a copy from OldApps.com. As the name suggests, this resource offers downloads of old software. From retro gaming to old audio apps to unsupported system utilities, it offers pretty much everything.
4. Access Old IE Versions Using a Virtual Machine
If you can’t install the older version of IE that you need on a real computer, virtual machines are a viable option. These allow you to run another operating system inside an app on your current computer.
This is more secure, as it lets you isolate the old browser from your actual system. In addition, when you install an older operating system, it will come with the original version of Internet Explorer.
When you install Windows XP, you’ll have access to IE6 out of the box. Windows 7, meanwhile, comes with IE8. Just make sure you don’t install OS updates if you want to keep those old versions installed.
5. Try Browser Testing Tools
Because old versions of Internet Explorer like IE6 and IE8 are so old and no longer receive security updates, it’s a good idea to run them in an isolated and secure environment. If you’re not comfortable with or are unable to install IE on a real computer, you can use a testing solution in your browser.
Sites like BrowserStack and Browserling allow you to test websites using a variety of browsers while remaining in your own browser. You don’t need to download an app or set up remote access, so the work on your end is simple.
They work by leveraging hundreds of virtual machines, each configured to run different versions of various operating systems. Each of these services supports a broad range of browsers, including most versions of Internet Explorer.
