Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 with Active Desktop: HPC:Factor

The HPC:Factor Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 with Active Desktop provides the highest level of the Microsoft Internet Technologies available for Windows 95.
It also allows Windows 95 users to install the Active Desktop Shell Update, which will radically alter the way they interact and operate their Windows computer.
All you require is an Internet connection available to the PC you wish to install onto and the Installer file available to download from below.

These downloads are no longer actively supported by Microsoft

This download is intended for Windows 95 & NT4 only. You should download the latest version of Internet Explorer Click Here

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 for Windows 95 & NT 4.0 with Active Desktop (5.51.4807.2300)

This distribution of Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 will allow Windows 95 & NT 4.0 SP3+ users to upgrade their operating system to the Active Desktop Windows Shell. A feature often requested but difficult to obtain now that Internet Explorer 5.5 has been withdrawn from Microsoft.com.

Windows 98, Millennium and 2000 should NOT install this version of Internet Explorer. Users on these platforms should upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1.

Under Windows 95 and NT 4.0 the Desktop Update will be installed by default

System Requirements

CPU:

A 486 with a 66 MHz processor (Pentium processor recommended)

Memory:

For Microsoft Windows(R) 95 or Windows 98:
16 MB (megabytes) of RAM (random access memory) minimum

For Microsoft Windows NT(R) 4.0:
32 MB of RAM minimum
You must be running Service Pack 3 (or higher)

For Microsoft Windows(R) 2000:
64 MB of RAM minimum

Disk Space:

Minimal installation:
Required to install: 45 MB
Required to run: 27 MB after restart

Typical installation:
Required to install: 70 MB
Required to run: 55 MB after restart

Full installation:
Required to install: 111 MB
Required to run: 80 MB after restart

Windows 95, 98, 98SE, Millennium

Windows 95 users should review the Patching Guide before and after installing
All required system updates will be downloaded & installed to your computer by the installer. HPC:Factor recommends that you visit Windows Update as soon as the installation has completed.

Windows NT4

If you are looking to install the Shell Update (Active Desktop) and with to ultimately install Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1, please download the NT4.0 IE6 with Active Desktop installer instead of installing Internet Explorer 5.5 - it will save you nearly 80 MB of downloading!

Before you can install Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 for Windows NT 4.0 you must first update your system to Service Pack 3. Service Pack 6a with High Encryption is recommended. HPC:Factor recommends that you follow the Patching Guide as soon as the installation has completed.
You must be logged in as Administrator to perform the update.

Windows 2000

You must be logged in as Administrator to perform the update.

Download Size:

The download size can range from 25MB to a maximum of 80MB depending on the installation options you select, and on the current state of your system.
To minimise the download size for 95 and NT 4.0 see the Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 patching section and update your system as listed.

* Windows NT 4.0 SP6 users can upgrade to Internet Explorer 6.0 with the Active Desktop shell directly, which is currently available here. We recommend that all NT 4.0 users pursue this upgrade path instead of installing Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 and then Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 - it will save time, bandwidth and reboots.

Download & Install

Your computer must have an active Internet Connection to download the setup files from the HPC:Factor servers. We do not offer the ability to download the Internet Explorer Setup files before Installation.

To Install Internet Explorer for Windows:

1. Download the Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 setup file below onto your computer.
2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to where you saved the file
3. Double click ie5setup.exe to begin the Installation process
4. Connect to the Internet
5. Follow the instructions on screen

The MSIE Installer program is 494KB and will fit on a High Density Floppy disk

View: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 with Active Desktop (Shell Update) for Windows NT 4.0

Download: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 (494 KB)

Post Install

You should visit Windows Update to obtain the latest Updates for Internet Explorer to further improve your Internet security.

Windows Update - Click Here

Also see the HPC:Factor Patches & Updates guides.

Windows 95 : Windows 98 : Windows Me : Windows NT 4.0

If you experience any problems with the install process, i.e. receive File Not found errors from the installer or Unable to connect to Download Server errors please contact us so that we can resolve the problem

All Internet Explorer distributions have minor HPC Factor customisations. These customisations are limited to a small group of predefined Internet Favourites and branding changes which, if required. Can be deleted by the end user.