How can I tell if my website looks right in older browser versions besides Chrome?

[asiek]

I noticed a majority of web designers/developers use IE style sheets etc so their projects will be IE friendly. But how in the world do these folks test their website in older versions? I have Firefox and could install Safari but what about older versions of Internet Explorer etc?

I tried installing older versions of IE to my computer but I wasn’t able to since I already have IE9.
I would very much like to test my projects in older versions of a few browsers…
Any recommendations?

[Watson90]

People use a website called [BrowserStack](http://www.browserstack.com/ “”) however you do have to pay for a subscription, if not, then you could always just try and go to let’s say a windows XP machine to text IE7/8, maybe a friend has one handy…

[CrocoDillon]

You can use the devtools in IE (press F12 and you’ll find the option “Browsermode” and “Documentmode”, make sure to change both appropriately)

Alternatively, you can use the VMs from moder.ie, but I haven’t tried those yet: http://www.modern.ie/en-us/virtualization-tools#downloads

[asiek]

@watson90 @crocodillon Thanks guys :) I will try ’em out!

[Senff]

The Virtual Machines come closest to ACTUAL IE7/8/9, but are a large download and will only be available temporarily.
The browser modes in IE9 are easiest to use but I’ve come across many bugs that are just not shown in there (and only appear in actual IE7/8/9).
IEtester is a good compromise: http://my-debugbar.com/wiki/IETester/HomePage

[Kitty Giraudel]

I have very unpleasant memories of IETester. A very buggy software which doesn’t represent in anyway the reality.

[Senff]

@Hugogiraudel Indeed, its a piece of crap. However, it’s a little helpful when someone reports a bug that doesn’t show in IE modes, but does in IEtester, if only for the “did my fix help at all”- check.

[Author]

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