Safari for Windows 10: Can You Install It?

No, you cannot install the current version of Safari on Windows 10. Apple stopped releasing Safari for Windows in 2012, and the last Windows-compatible version (Safari 5.1.7) is outdated and unsafe to use on modern systems. This article explains why Safari is no longer available for Windows, what your alternatives are, and how to get the closest experience on a PC.

Why Safari Is Not Available for Windows 10

Apple developed Safari for Windows between 2007 and 2012, primarily to let iPhone and iPod users sync their bookmarks and browse the web on a PC. During that period, Apple released Safari 3 through 5.1.7 for Windows, but the company quietly discontinued it after shifting focus to its own Mac and iOS devices. The final Windows build, Safari 5.1.7, was released in May 2012 and has not received a single security update since then. Running it on Windows 10 would expose you to known vulnerabilities that have been patched in every modern browser.

Apple never announced an official reason for dropping Windows support, but the move aligns with its strategy of using Safari as a selling point for its own hardware. Today, Safari is tightly integrated with macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, and it relies on technologies like WebKit and iCloud Keychain that are not optimized for Windows. Apple has not released a Windows version of Safari for over a decade, and there is no indication that it ever will.

What Happens If You Try to Install Safari on Windows 10?

If you search for “Safari for Windows 10,” you will mostly find outdated download links or third-party sites that offer the old 5.1.7 installer. Installing that version is technically possible, but it will not work well. The browser may open, but many modern websites will fail to render correctly because Safari 5.1.7 uses an ancient WebKit engine that lacks support for current HTML, CSS, and JavaScript standards. You will also encounter frequent crashes, compatibility errors with Windows 10’s security features, and a complete absence of updates.

More importantly, using an unsupported browser is a serious security risk. Since Apple no longer patches Safari for Windows, any vulnerability discovered in that version remains exploitable forever. Security researchers have identified multiple critical flaws in Safari 5.1.7 over the years, and malicious websites can take advantage of them to steal data or install malware. For these reasons, security experts universally recommend against installing or using Safari 5.1.7 on any Windows machine.

How to Get the Closest Safari Experience on Windows

If you like Safari’s clean interface, reader mode, or its “share” features, you can replicate most of that experience on Windows with a modern browser. Here are the most practical options:

Use Microsoft Edge – Edge is built on Chromium (the same engine as Google Chrome) and includes a built-in “IE mode” for legacy sites. It has a clean, minimal look, a built-in PDF reader, and a “Collections” feature that works like Safari’s Reading List. Edge also syncs your bookmarks and passwords across devices if you sign in with a Microsoft account.
Install Google Chrome – Chrome offers a familiar tab layout, a vast extension library, and a built-in translation tool. If you use Safari on a Mac or iPhone, you can install the “iCloud Passwords” extension for Chrome (from Apple) to access your saved Safari passwords on Windows.
Try Firefox – Firefox is known for its strong privacy protections and customization options. It has a “Reader View” similar to Safari’s, and you can import your Safari bookmarks and history from a Mac if you have them.
Use a WebKit-based browser (not recommended) – Some third-party browsers like Epiphany or Midori use WebKit, the same engine Safari uses, but they are not well-maintained for Windows and offer no real advantage over mainstream browsers.

None of these will give you the exact Safari interface, but they all provide a modern, secure browsing experience with features that match or exceed Safari’s core functionality.

Can You Run Safari on Windows 10 Using a Virtual Machine?

Yes, you can run a genuine version of Safari on Windows 10 by using a virtual machine (VM) that runs macOS. This is the only legal way to use a current Safari browser on a PC. However, it is not a practical solution for most people because of several significant hurdles:

Hardware requirements – macOS only runs on Apple hardware or on a Hackintosh (a PC with compatible components). Virtualizing macOS requires a powerful CPU, at least 8GB of RAM, and a solid-state drive.
Legal and licensing issues – Apple’s End User License Agreement (EULA) prohibits running macOS on non-Apple hardware. While using a VM on a Mac is allowed, running macOS on a Windows PC violates the license and is not supported by Apple.
Performance – Even if you manage to set up a macOS VM, Safari will run slowly because of the virtualization overhead. You also need to allocate a significant portion of your system’s resources to the VM, which can make your Windows environment sluggish.

For most users, the effort and legal risks far outweigh any benefit. If you are a web developer testing Safari-specific features, a more practical approach is to use an online service like BrowserStack or Sauce Labs that lets you test websites in real Safari browsers remotely, without installing anything.

Is There Any Legitimate Way to Download Safari for Windows?

No. Apple does not offer Safari for Windows on its official website, and there is no legitimate download source for a modern version. The only official download links you might find are for the old Safari 5.1.7, which Apple still hosts on its support site for legacy purposes, but even that page explicitly states that it is for “Safari 5.1.7 for Windows” and that it is no longer supported. Downloading Safari from any third-party site is highly risky because those files are often bundled with adware or malware. If you see a website claiming to offer “Safari for Windows 10” or “Safari 15 for Windows,” it is a scam or a malicious download.

Common Problems with Using Safari 5.1.7 on Windows

If you ignore the warnings and try to install Safari 5.1.7 on Windows 10, you will likely encounter these issues:

Websites won’t load correctly – Many modern sites use features like flexbox, grid, and ES6 JavaScript that Safari 5.1.7 cannot handle. You will see broken layouts, missing buttons, or blank pages.
Security warnings – Windows Defender and SmartScreen will flag the installer as potentially unwanted because it is an old, unsigned program. You may need to bypass warnings, which is not advisable.
Frequent crashes – The browser is not designed for Windows 10’s architecture, and it may crash when you open multiple tabs or try to play video.
No support for modern standards – HTML5 video, WebGL, and CSS animations are either missing or broken.
Inability to update – There is no update mechanism, so you are stuck with the same vulnerable version forever.

How to Choose the Best Browser for Windows 10

Instead of trying to install Safari, focus on picking a browser that meets your needs. Consider these factors:

Speed and performance – Chrome and Edge are both fast, but Edge is more resource-efficient on Windows, especially with many tabs open.
Privacy – Firefox offers the strongest tracking protection by default, while Chrome and Edge have built-in anti-tracking features but still collect some data for personalization.
Sync across devices – If you use an iPhone or Mac, you can sync bookmarks and passwords between Safari and Chrome/Edge using Apple’s iCloud for Windows app. For Android users, Chrome syncs seamlessly.
Extensions – Chrome and Edge have the largest extension libraries, while Firefox also has a good selection. Safari’s extension support is more limited.
Compatibility – All modern browsers support current web standards, but some corporate or government websites may require Internet Explorer mode, which only Edge offers.

If you are coming from a Mac, Edge is often the smoothest transition because its interface is clean and minimal, and it includes a “Sleeping Tabs” feature that reduces memory usage—similar to Safari’s efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download Safari for Windows 10 from Apple’s website?

No. Apple’s official website only offers Safari for macOS and iOS. The only Windows download available is the legacy Safari 5.1.7, which is not recommended for security reasons. Apple does not provide any current Safari version for Windows.

Is Safari 5.1.7 safe to use on Windows 10?

No. It is over a decade old and has many unpatched security vulnerabilities. Using it puts your personal data at risk. You should not install or use it on any modern system.

Will Safari work on Windows 11?

No. The same limitations apply to Windows 11. Safari is not available for any version of Windows beyond the outdated 5.1.7, which is unsafe and incompatible.

Can I use iCloud passwords with Chrome or Edge on Windows?

Yes. Apple offers an iCloud for Windows app that includes the iCloud Passwords extension for Chrome and Edge. After installing it, you can access your Safari passwords saved on your Apple devices.

Is there a way to test Safari on Windows for web development?

Yes. You can use online browser-testing services like BrowserStack or Sauce Labs to run real Safari browsers in the cloud. These services let you see how your website looks on Safari without installing anything on your PC.

What is the best alternative to Safari on Windows?

For most users, Microsoft Edge is the best alternative because it is fast, secure, and integrates well with Windows 10. If you prefer a browser with more privacy features, Firefox is also an excellent choice. Chrome is a good option if you want the largest extension library.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →