Internet Explorer 4.0 Download Area

You MUST read these instructions before downloading!

Warning: Developer Release Only

First: How to avoid the heavy traffic

Warning: The Internet Explorer 4.0 Preview Platform is intended for software developers and IT professionals only. Before you download this product, be aware that Microsoft is anticipating very heavy traffic during the product's first week of release (April 8 through 14). Downloading the minimum—or "Standard"—install of Internet Explorer 4.0, which is 11 MB, will take at least 4 hours on a 28.8 modem. Because you cannot run versions 3.0 and 4.0 of Internet Explorer on the same computer, you should consider putting version 4.0 on a computer that you do not use for conducting your routine daily business.

CD-ROM version available: A CD-ROM with the Internet Explorer 4.0 Platform Preview and the Internet Client Software Development Kit (SDK) will be sent to you automatically if you are either a member of Microsoft's Site Builder Network or the Microsoft Developers Network (MSDN), or if you attended World Wide Live (July '96), the Microsoft Site Builder Conference (Oct. '96), or the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (March '96 and Nov. '96). If you are a developer who is not a member of either of these organizations and did not attend any of these events, you can order the CD-ROM by calling 1-800-795-2295. A $5 shipping-and-handling fee will be charged for all phone orders.

Next: Setup decisions and steps

If you choose to download this release now, first make sure that your computer meets the systems requirements. Then take the following steps, which are explained below:

Decide whether you want shell integration along with the Internet Explorer 4.0 Suite.

Run the Active Setup Wizard or download the standard installation package without Active Setup.

Decide which package of Internet Explorer 4.0 Suite components you want.

1. Deciding whether to download Internet Explorer 4.0 with shell integration
Choosing Internet Explorer 4.0 with shell integration activated brings the Web to your desktop, adding Internet functionality to many of your traditional computing tasks. After installing, you can turn off shell integration by simply uninstalling it through the Add/Remove Programs option in the Control Panel. (Note: In this Platform Preview, running Internet Explorer 4.0 with shell integration activated requires some 8 RAM more than running the suite alone.)

Choosing only the Internet Explorer 4.0 Suite disables shell integration. If you want to turn it on after installing the Suite only, you can do so at any time through the Add/Remove Programs option in the Control Panel.

2. Running the Active Setup Wizard
Clicking the download links for Internet Explorer 4.0 Suite—Active Setup (either with or without shell integration) runs the Active Setup Wizard, which guides you through the download process.

To run the wizard, follow these three quick steps: 1) Click "Setup Wizard" in the grey box below; 2) In the page that appears, choose either "Browser Suite Only" or "Browser Suite + Integrated Shell" in the language you want; 3) In the next page that appears, choose an "exe" to download the wizard.

3. Deciding which package of Internet Explorer 4.0 Suite components to download
The Active Setup Wizard prompts you to choose one of three different Internet Explorer 4.0 Suite component packages: Standard, Enhanced, and Full:

Standard Install

(11 MB download):
Includes the Internet Explorer 4.0 browser, Microsoft Outlook Express (e-mail client), and ActiveMovie™ (a comprehensive media player). (15 MB download):
Includes the Internet Explorer 4.0 browser, Microsoft Outlook Express, FrontPad (Web authoring tool), and ActiveMovie™. (20 MB download):
Includes the Internet Explorer 4.0 browser, Microsoft Outlook Express, NetMeeting™ (conferencing tool), FrontPad, NetShow (Internet broadcasting player), Microsoft Wallet (security feature), and ActiveMovie™.

What Microsoft recommends: Due to the amount of traffic on the Internet and the number of people attempting to download this release, Microsoft recommends that you choose the Standard configuration. After you install this package, you can add other components by running the Active Setup Wizard from this site or from your local drive and selecting the Full configuration. The Active Setup Wizard automatically detects which components you do not yet have on your computer. It also alerts you if a newer version of one of the components you already have is available.

Important note to International users: The Platform Preview of Internet Explorer 4.0 is language specific, e.g., the English version of Internet Explorer 4.0 will only run properly on English operating systems. International versions of this release will start being made available later this week. If you have accidentally installed the English version over a non-English operating system, you can use only a limited set of Internet Explorer 4.0's functionality. You will not be able to run the Active Desktop or access channels, for instance.

Read the download instructions, and then click here to begin your download:

Internet Explorer 4.0 Suite—Active Setup (0.4 MB)

Warning and limited support options

This is a preview release of Microsoft® Internet Explorer. Because this software is still in development, some of the functionality is incomplete at this time.

Microsoft assumes no responsibility for any damages that may occur either directly or indirectly from use of this software product.

Microsoft does not provide phone support for beta or preview releases. For online support options, visit the Internet Explorer Support Center. You can also read our download troubleshooting page, or access the public newsgroups Microsoft has created for peer-to-peer support and discussion regarding the Platform Preview of Internet Explorer 4.0. No account name or password is required.