Free Windows Application to test websites in IE 6/7/8 [closed]

Question

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Multiple versions of internet explorer on a machine

is there any app like this out there?

Answer 1

It depends on the extent with which you want to test. If you just want to see what the site looks like, but aren't necessarily concerned with how it functions, you can use a service like browsershots.com.

Browsershots makes screenshots of your web design in different operating systems and browsers. It is a free open-source online web application providing developers a convenient way to test their website's browser compatibility in one place. When you submit your web address, it will be added to the job queue. A number of distributed computers will open your website in their browser. Then they will make screenshots and upload them to our central dedicated servers for your review.

If you want a browser based solution that doesn't require a large install, you can use spoon.net.

Run your apps anywhere. Spoon virtualization lets you run desktop apps with no installs – at work, at home, or on the road.

There is also Microsoft's Expression Web SuperPreview.

We built SuperPreview to simplify the process of testing and debugging layout issues across different web browsers and platforms. You can view your pages in multiple browsers simultaneously or view how a page renders in a browser and compare it to a comp or mock-up image of a page.

However, for the best compatibility testing, what you really need is the real Internet Explorer running on a real Windows OS. Fortunately, you don't need three computers to do this with the concept of virtual machines.

You have two different ways to use virtual machines. You can install Microsoft's Virtual PC 2007 and download the free Internet Explorer Application Compatibility Virtual PC Images that come preloaded with the following OS/Browser configurations (depending on what you download):

Windows XP with IE 6 Windows XP with IE 7 Windows XP with IE 8 Windows Vista with IE 7 Windows Vista with IE 8

These virtual images expire every 90 days, at which point you have to re-download them and load them as new virtual machines.

If you are running Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, the absolute best setup (in my opinion) is to use Windows XP Mode and differencing disks to load up multiple virtual machines with each browser, side by side.

It is also worth mentioning that you don't have to use Microsoft's Virtual PC 2007 software to emulate a machine. There is also VirtualBox and VMWare, which can both be used to load in the VirtualPC hard disk images mentioned previously.

Answer 2

Ignoring the fact that this current set is due to expire in a few hours, have you considered using VirtualPC with the Internet Explorer Application Compatibility VHDs?

There is no website that will allow you to test so thoroughly and it is a lot less hassle doing this than you might think.

Answer 3

http://tredosoft.com/Multiple_IE

I use this one all the time when I'm testing sites.