Installing and Using Safari for Windows: A Step-by-Step Guide

Safari for Windows offers a clean interface and efficient performance. Apple stopped updating Safari for Windows but you can still install and use an older version. This is helpful for those who need to test their websites on various browsers.

It provides a unique browsing experience with built-in sharing options and a clean design. Safari on Windows is still functional for basic browsing and web development.

In this blog, let us understand the process of installing and using Safari on your Windows system. We will cover everything from downloading the installer to exploring the key features of the Safari browser in the Windows operating system.

Safari for Windows Overview

It is a web browser developed by Apple. Safari updates for the Windows version stopped in 2012. You can still download Safari 5.1.7 for Windows. This version lacks new features but remains functional.

It offers a quick and user-friendly browsing experience. Web developers may find Safari useful for testing websites across different browsers. Despite its age, it can still serve specific needs and purposes effectively.

Due to its outdated nature, Safari for Windows may not fully support modern web standards or handle complex websites as efficiently as current browsers. Despite its limitations, Safari can be a valuable tool for those seeking an alternative browsing option on Windows.

Downloading Safari for Windows

Here is how you can safely download Safari for Windows:

Visit the Download Page

Start by opening your current web browser. Navigate to a trusted website that offers the Safari for Windows installer. Avoid unofficial or questionable sources as they may host malicious software that can harm your computer. Trusted tech websites or repositories that offer older software versions are good places to start.

Choose the Correct Version

On the download page, look for Safari 5.1.7. This is the last version that Apple released for Windows. Safari 5.1.7 is stable and functional for basic browsing needs. You might come across various versions of Safari. Ensure you select version 5.1.7 to avoid compatibility issues or problems with even older versions.

Download the Installer

Once you’ve found the correct version, you’ll see a download link or button. Click on this link to start downloading the Safari installer. The file will usually be named something like “SafariSetup.exe”. Choose a preferred location on your computer to save the installer file.

Installing Safari on Windows

Now we can begin the installation process for the Safari browser in the Windows operating system. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth installation process.

Run the Installer

Locate the downloaded installer file. Open the installer file to start installing. Click “Yes” to let the program make changes to your computer.

Follow the Installation Prompts

The Safari installation wizard will open and guide you through the installation steps. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.

License Agreement

  • After reading the agreement, agree to the terms and click next to proceed.

Choose Installation Options

The next step allows you to customize your installation:

  • You will be given the option to set Safari as your default web browser. If you prefer to keep your current default browser, then skip this option.
  • After selecting your preferences, click “Next” to proceed.

Complete Installation

You are ready to install Safari. Click the “Install” button to begin the installation process. The wizard will start copying files and configuring Safari on your system. After the successful installation is complete a confirmation message will appear. Click “Finish” to exit the installer.

Setting Up Safari for First Use

After setting up Safari for your first use, you are ready to explore its unique features and capabilities on your Windows system.

Launch Safari

  • After successfully installing Safari for Windows, you are ready to launch the browser. You can launch Safari.

Initial Configuration

Safari will guide you through an initial configuration process. This setup helps personalize your browsing experience:

Import Bookmarks and Settings

If you want to bring your bookmarks and history from your main browser. It can help you to keep your old browsing information. This makes switching to Safari easier. You will have all your favorite sites and past searches ready to use. To import:

  • Click “Import” when prompted.
  • Choose the browser you want to get data from.
  • Decide what you want to bring in, like bookmarks, history, and passwords.
  • Click “OK” or “Finish” to finish bringing in your stuff.
  • If you want to start with nothing, click “Don’t Import”.

Customize Settings

Once the initial configuration is complete, you can customize Safari to suit your preferences. Here are some key settings you might want to adjust:

Appearance and Theme

  • Click the gear icon in the browser’s corner to change how Safari looks.
  • You can adjust things like font size and style under “Appearance”.

Homepage

  • Go to the settings and select “Preferences” Under the “General” tab, find the “Homepage” field.
  • Enter the URL of your desired homepage. Click “Set to Current Page” if you want to set your current page as the homepage.

Additional Customizations

  • Privacy Settings: Change privacy settings in the “Privacy” section to manage cookies, website data, and tracking preferences.
  • Extensions: Control browser add-ons from the “Extensions” section. You can enable, disable, or remove installed extensions to enhance your browsing experience.

Exploring and Using Key Features of Safari for Windows

Let us explore some of the key features that make Safari a unique and efficient browser on your Windows computer.

Tabbed Browsing

Safari lets you open many websites in one window using tabs. Click the plus sign next to the tab bar to make a new tab. This helps you do many things at once and keep your browsing tidy. You can move tabs around by dragging them. If you want to open a link in a new tab just Click it and pick “Open in New Tab”.

Responsive Design Mode

It helps developers see how their web pages look and function on various devices and screen sizes. Select the desired device or resolution in the web inspector to access it. This feature is crucial for testing responsive designs of the website across various devices.

JavaScript Console

It is an essential feature for developers. It allows you to execute JavaScript commands directly within the browser. This makes it easier to test scripts and debug issues. You can access it by clicking on the console tab in the web inspector. This feature helps you monitor errors, log outputs, and interact with your page’s JavaScript in real-time to facilitate efficient testing and troubleshooting of web applications.

Safari Developer Tools

Safari has special tools for developers and testers. These tools help you look at and fix problems on web pages right in the browser. To use them, click on any part of a page and choose “Inspect Element”. This opens a window where you can see and change the code that makes up the page. These tools are important for making sure websites work well on different browsers.

Extension Support

Safari for Windows lets you use extensions, which are add-ons that make the browser work better. These extensions can add new features, tools, or connections to Safari. You can get extensions from the Safari Extensions Gallery or other trusted places. This lets you customize Safari to do more of what you need like improving productivity or adding extra browsing features. This feature allows users to personalize Safari according to their specific needs.

Resolving Common Issues and Tips for Improved Usage

It is important to fix problems to make sure Safari works well on your Windows computer. Here are some of the issues and tips for better usage of Safari for Windows.

Installation Problems

If you face issues during installation, first ensure you have administrative privileges as they are necessary to install software. Check if you have enough disk space for the installation. If the installer file appears to be corrupted or if the installation fails try re-downloading the installer from a trusted source to ensure you have a clean and functional file.

Performance Issues

It may run slower compared to newer browsers because Safari is older. To help it run faster:

  • Close any tabs you don’t need. This frees up your computer’s memory.
  • Clear the cache. This deletes stored files that can slow down browsing. Go to settings and pick “Reset Safari” or “Clear History and Website Data”.

Compatibility Issues

Safari 5.1.7 might not show newer websites correctly. Some features might not work as expected because they haven’t been updated. To fix this:

  • Use Safari mainly for basic browsing or testing websites, not everyday use.
  • Try using newer browsers like Chrome or Firefox for better results with modern sites.

Testing Issues

Consider using cloud testing platforms for testing websites on Safari in Windows. The cloud platforms allow you to test websites across different browsers and operating systems without needing to install them locally. This is useful for ensuring compatibility and functionality across various environments including Safari for Windows. 

LambdaTest is an AI-driven test orchestration and execution platform that enables both manual and automated testing on over 3000 real devices, browsers, and OS combinations. The types of cross-browser testing you can perform with LambdaTest include:

  • Live testing on both mobile and desktop devices.
  • Visual UI testing to detect regression bugs using screenshot testing, responsive testing, and Smart Testing.
  • Real-time testing on a real machine with your chosen virtual environment, with the capability to log bugs directly to your preferred project management tool via seamless integrations.

Single-click bug logging allows you to transfer bugs to bug tracker tools with just one click, eliminating the need to manually create a bug, add details, and attach screenshots, as LambdaTest handles this for you. LambdaTest offers one-click integration with tools like JIRA, Asana, Trello, GitHub, and Slack, enabling you to send issues directly to these tools using the one-click bug logging feature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Safari for Windows provides a straightforward and efficient browsing experience with its clean interface, tabbed browsing, Reading List for saving articles, and useful developer tools. Despite its age and lack of updates since 2012, Safari remains practical for basic web tasks and testing purposes. Its compatibility with modern web standards and performance may not match newer browsers like Chrome or Firefox. Enhancing Safari’s performance involves managing tabs and regularly clearing the cache.

Utilizing cloud testing platforms ensures smooth website testing across various browsers and operating systems without local installations. This method simplifies compatibility checks and boosts Safari’s usefulness in web development. Users can balance Safari’s simplicity and efficiency while meeting the demands of contemporary web browsing and development practices by implementing these strategies.