internet explorer - Can I tell IE9 to launch with the IE8 or IE7 rendering engine

29
2014-01
  • Sean Bannister

    I'm setting up a testing machine that needs to launch multiple copies of IE when the machine boots, because the browser will be running automated tests. I know IE9 can render IE7 and IE8 but is there a way to launch the browser into these modes when it starts?

    I had a look at the command line options but couldn't find anything. I'd also prefer not to use VHD's.

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  • Saul

    Currently when I want to check how web pages look and behave in IE7, I switch the rendering mode of Internet Explorer 8 to IE7 under "Developer Tools". Unfortunately this procedure needs to be repeated for every new tab and window.

    Is there a way to make that selection permanent?

    Edit: Virtual PC or equivalents is something I'd rather avoid. In this case, the rendering accuracy of the above-mentioned approach is good enough.


  • Related Answers
  • DMA57361

    As per my comments, Jason's answer about using the free VHD's provided by Microsoft to use IE7 itself for testing is really the best way to go - how are we to know that IE8 is entirely accurate when trying to emulate IE7?


    However, if you really wish to use compatibilty mode, and you are testing a site that you control, you can add the following meta-header. Obviously, you'll probably only want to do this while testing.

    <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=EmulateIE7" />
    

    When IE8 loads a page with this in the header it will automatically switch in to IE7 compatiblity mode.

    You may also find it useful to read the Microsoft MSDN article Defining Document Compatibility.

  • paradroid

    I think it would be easier for you to use the Vista/IE7 IE Application Compatibility VHD for VirtualPC.