Many Windows PC users enjoy using Apple/Mac apps on their systems. The experience of using Apple apps, which are very different in interface design and features from regular Windows programs, is a completely new experience for Windows users.
In this article, we will learn about Apple’s default web browser, Safari, and how it differs from other browsers such as Edge, Chrome, and Firefox.
Can you install the Safari browser on Windows 10? Why did Apple stop supporting Windows Safari? Please read the article further and get answers to these questions.
Safari browser history on Windows and Mac operating systems
Safari is a graphical web browsing application developed by Apple INC. The Safari viewer app was originally developed from the properties of open source software, one of the most notable of which is WebKit.
The Safari browser was first introduced with Mac OS X Panther in 2003, and in 2007 it was included on the iPhone and iPad Touch with iPhone OS version 1.
In the global rankings, Safari is the second most popular browser after Google Chrome, with approximately 18.43% of the global market share and 38.88% in the US. The penultimate version of Safari, Safari 14, launched in November 2012 and outperformed Google Chrome in overall performance.
It is 50% faster than the world’s first most popular browser, Chrome, and consumes less battery power than its competitors. The latest version of Safari, Safari 15, launched in July 2021, including macOS Monterey, iOS 15, iPad 15, and a new interface.
Safari for Windows: the motivation behind its development
In the initial period of development, that is, until 1997, Apple computers with macOS used the exclusive Netscape Navigator and Cyberdog to browse the web. Internet Explorer was then used as the default web browser for Apple computers as part of a 5-year deal between Apple and Microsoft.
In 2002, the top management of Apple INC decided to make their own browser and get rid of the dependence on a third-party browser vendor – Microsoft Internet Explorer.
The following year, Jobs announced that Apple now had its own browser and named it Safari. In internal testing, the name “Alexander”was widely used as the browser name.
However, the original version of Safari wasn’t perfect, and in 2007 Apple released Safari 3 for Mac OS X 10.5, Windows XP, and Windows Vista. Safari’s performance has increased with subsequent releases of later versions. With excellent compatibility with Apple Computing devices, it quickly won the hearts of Apple users.
Seeing the success of Safari among Apple users and the saturation of the US market, Apple began developing a version of the Safari browser for Windows.
Due to the growing user base of the Windows OS and Safari’s exotic interface, which is different from other regular Windows applications, it has quickly made a name for itself on the global list of popular browsers, ranking as the 4th most popular browser.
But Apple stopped developing the Windows version of Safari as of 2012. However, you can still find the latest version of Safari 5.1.7 in the directory of some software download sites.
Safari for Windows Overview
The performance of the Safari browser has increased with the release of new versions such as Safari 2, Safari 3, Safari 4, etc. But the Windows version of Safari reached its peak performance in Safari 5.
It was released on June 7, 2010 with amazing new features. Below are the main advantages and disadvantages of “Safari for Windows”.
1. Safari Reader for browsing and reading articles on the web without distractions.
2. 30% JavaScript engine performance improvement over the previous version of Safari.
3. Advanced developer tools and support for dozens of new HTML technology features focused on interaction.
4. Custom extensions. Provides a secure environment for developers to customize their extensions, bringing the performance and popularity of Safari closer to Firefox.
In summary, the new features and changes in Safari are good, but they don’t offer much of an advantage over other browsers. Supported address bar, AdBlock, bookmark and password sync, faster Nitro JavaScript engine, limited plugin selection, etc.
These features can be found in other browsers as well, and since Apple has discontinued support for Windows Safari, it is recommended that you choose from other browsers such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
The continuous development of these two browsers adds amazing new features while optimizing the existing framework based on user feedback. This makes them perform much better than the deprecated Safari.
Apple Safari Web Browser Summary Today
With the continuous development of the Safari browser, users enjoy a growing variety of features and take advantage of its phenomenal functionality:
1. Smart String function. You can enter a website address or ask questions of your own.
2. A handy list of the most frequently visited websites. This list can contain up to 24 website details, and users can edit it according to their preferences.
3. Manage your bookmarks. Review your history. The Safari browser not only saves the site address name, but it can also save web content for faster web page loading.
4. Support for multiple web browsing modes such as text, normal and simplified browsing modes. Enjoy private browsing in Safari. This feature is similar to the Incognito tab in Google Chrome (wipes all browsing data including history, cache, and cookies).
5. Other features include RSS feed, download manager, form autofill function, data sync between Apple devices via iCloud, etc.
Can I install the latest Safari browser on Windows 10?
The answer to this question is YES! The Safari browser works great on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. However, the latest updated version of Safari for Windows, Safari 5, was released in 2012 and can still be found in the catalogs of major software download sites.
How to download Safari and install it on Windows 10?
Step 1. You need to complete the task itself – download the installation package of Safari version 5.1.7 to your computer. There are several software download sites that catalog Safari 5.1.7. You need to find a reliable and safe source to download it.
Step 2: Run the Safari setup file after downloading.
Step 3: Click Run and complete the normal Windows installation process.
(Note: You need to uncheck the box that makes Safari the default browser.)
Step 4 Once installed, you are ready to use Safari.
You should keep in mind that this version of Safari for Windows was last updated in 2012 and it lacks most of the latest web technologies, privacy and security protocols, etc.
Hence, general Windows users should stick to recommended web browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc. Only advanced users such as developers, programmers, and compatibility testers need the professional version of Safari for Windows. technical experiments.