How to Access ActiveX Websites on a Mac
ActiveX is a library of software components that are often used to present multimedia rich content in the Internet Explorer Web browser. Implementations of ActiveX controls are only compatible with the Windows operating system but with the help of virtualization software, you can access ActiveX websites on a Mac. CrossOver, Parallels and VirtualBox are virtualization applications that enable the installation of Windows software and the Windows operating system on a Mac. Once the software is set up, Internet Explorer can be run on a Mac, providing access to ActiveX controls.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
CrossOver
-
1
Download and install CrossOver. The program is available as a 30 day free trial after which you need to purchase a license to continue using the software. As of November 2010, the standard version costs $39.95 and the professional version costs $69.95.
-
2
Launch CrossOver.
-
-
3
Select "Configure" and then "Install Software."
-
4
Type "Internet Explorer" into the search box and then press "Enter."
-
5
Select the version of Internet Explorer you wish to install and then click "Select an installer."
-
6
Select "Download Installer" and then click "Install."
-
7
Launch Internet Explorer when installation is complete by navigating to the "Applications" folder in Finder. Using Internet Explorer, you can now access ActiveX websites.
Parallels
-
8
Download and install Parallels. Parallels is available as a free 14-day trial after which you are required to purchase a license to continue using the software. As of November 2010, Parallels for Mac costs $79.99.
-
9
Insert the Windows installation disc into your Mac CD/DVD-ROM.
-
10
Launch Parallels.
-
11
Click "New Windows Installation."
-
12
Select the CD/DVD-ROM as the installation source and then click "Continue."
-
13
Type the Windows product key and then click "Next."
-
14
Select between "Like a Mac" or "Like a PC" and then click "Continue."
-
15
Type a name for your Windows installation and select the location to place the operating system and then click "Create."
-
16
Launch the Windows virtual machine according to the installation type that you selected in Step 7. If you selected "Like a Mac," select Windows from Parallels and then click "Start." If you selected "Like a PC," restart your Mac and select Windows from the boot list.
-
17
Double-click Internet Explorer. You can now access ActiveX websites using the Windows browser.
VirtualBox
-
18
Download and install VirtualBox.
-
19
Insert the Windows operating system installation disc into your Mac CD/DVD-ROM.
-
20
Launch VirtualBox.
-
21
Click "New."
-
22
Type a name for the virtual machine and select the version of Windows you will be installing and then click "Next."
-
23
Set the memory level for your virtual machine and then click "Next." VirtualBox will recommend a minimum level of memory usage but you can increase this as long as it does not exceed half of your total system RAM.
-
24
Select "Boot Hard Disk" and then click "Next."
-
25
Choose between a fixed or dynamic disk image and then click "Next." A fixed disk image will only take up the amount of hard drive space you specify. A dynamic disk image will expand to meet the operating system needs depending on your usage.
-
26
Click "Finish" to complete the wizard.
-
27
Select the Windows operating system from the left-hand sidebar and then click "Start." You will be prompted to install Windows on the disk image. This process will take at least 30 minutes to complete. Once installation is finished, the system will restart and boot into Windows.
-
28
Double-click the Internet Explorer icon to launch the Web browser. You can now navigate to ActiveX websites.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
