Internet Explorer 9 for Windows

Internet Explorer 9 is a web browser by Microsoft for Windows Vista and Windows 7, released in build 9.0.8112.16421 on 14 March 2011. It reached end of support on 12 January 2016, and Microsoft Edge is its successor; the download is kept for legacy systems, testing and compatibility work.

Quick facts

• Developer: Microsoft
• Build: 9.0.8112.16421 (14 March 2011)
• Systems: Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7; a mobile version shipped with Windows Phone 7
• Status: end of support since 12 January 2016
• Successor: Microsoft Edge
• Licence: free
• Installer size: about 17.82 MB according to catalogue data (32-bit offline installer)

What IE9 brought

When it appeared, Internet Explorer 9 was a serious change for Microsoft's browser. It moved to a cleaner interface with a combined address and search bar, fewer toolbars and more room for the page. Under the hood it added hardware-accelerated graphics and text through the video card, a faster JavaScript engine, and support for HTML5 elements such as video, audio and canvas, as well as CSS3 and SVG. Sites could be pinned to the Windows 7 taskbar and behave almost like separate apps. Microsoft documented the differences from earlier versions in its browser changes appendix. For web developers, IE9 marked the point where Internet Explorer became a reasonably modern target, which is why it still appears in compatibility tests and old corporate environments.

Why support ended

From 12 January 2016, Microsoft supported only the newest Internet Explorer available for each version of Windows. IE9 stopped receiving security updates on that date, and Microsoft Edge later became the company's browser for Windows.

Who still needs it

• Testers checking how an old site renders in IE9.
• Administrators of isolated legacy systems that cannot be upgraded.
• Researchers and collectors of old software.

How to install on a legacy system

1. Make sure the PC runs Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 with the latest service pack.
2. Microsoft's Internet Explorer download page explains which versions remain relevant.
3. Run the installer and restart when asked.
4. Keep the machine offline or on a separate network if possible.

Security warning

A browser without patches is an easy target. Do not use IE9 for everyday browsing, online banking or email. For those tasks, install a supported browser.

Price

Internet Explorer 9 was always free with Windows. There were no paid editions, and the browser never needed a separate licence or account.

Tip for developers

If you only need to check how a page looked in old Internet Explorer, a virtual machine with the legacy system is safer than installing IE9 on your main PC. Take a snapshot before testing and roll back afterwards.

Pros and cons

• Pro: useful for compatibility testing.
• Pro: small web installer.
• Con: no security updates any more.
• Con: many current sites no longer work in it.
• Con: limited to old Windows versions.

Alternatives

The natural replacement is Microsoft Edge. Other browsers on our site include Mozilla Firefox ESR, Pale Moon and Mypal68, which target older PCs, as well as Chromium.