Is there a headless browser option for Internet Explorer in Java?

Other Questions Headless Browser
1

I have an application that functions exclusively on Internet Explorer, and I need to perform screen scraping on it. I’ve attempted using HtmlUnit and the Selenium HtmlUnit driver, but neither has been successful. I’m looking for information on whether there is any available Java API for headless browsing with Internet Explorer. Any guidance would be appreciated.

2

Unfortunately, Internet Explorer doesn’t support headless browsing. However, you can try Selenium with Internet Explorer Driver by running it in a minimized window without rendering a GUI:

WebDriver driver = new InternetExplorerDriver();
driver.manage().window().setPosition(new Point(-2000, 0)); // Move off-screen

This isn’t truly ‘headless’ but might work for automating tasks without visible windows. Another option is transitioning to a headless-friendly browser for better automation.

3

While Internet Explorer does not support headless browsing natively, you can leverage a workaround using Selenium, specifically by running the browser in a hidden or minimized state. However, this solution doesn't offer the full performance and functionalities of a true headless browser. Here is how you can achieve this workaround:


import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.ie.InternetExplorerDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.Point;

public class IEBrowserAutomation {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        WebDriver driver = new InternetExplorerDriver();
        // Move the browser window out of the visible screen area
        driver.manage().window().setPosition(new Point(-2000, 0));
        
        // Your automation code here
        
        // Close the driver
        driver.quit();
    }
}

This code snippet hides the browser window by positioning it outside the visible area of your screen. While not perfectly headless, it keeps the interface out of view during execution.

If you are open to considering other options, transitioning to a browser that natively supports headless operations like Chrome or Firefox might significantly improve your automation tasks’ performance and ease of use. While this may require modifications to your application’s compatibility, it could provide a more robust and future-proof solution.

4

As of now, Internet Explorer doesn't inherently support headless browsing, and achieving true headless operation in Internet Explorer is challenging due to its architecture. However, there is a workaround using Selenium where the browser can be run in a minimized or hidden state. This simulates headless browsing to an extent but doesn't offer the complete benefits of a genuine headless browser. Here's a brief example:


import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.ie.InternetExplorerDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.Point;

public class IEBrowserAutomation {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        WebDriver driver = new InternetExplorerDriver();
        // Set the browser window position to be off-screen
        driver.manage().window().setPosition(new Point(-2000, 0));
        
        // Place your automation tasks here
        
        driver.quit();
    }
}

This method requires the Internet Explorer Driver and will minimally impact system performance while maintaining automation tasks out of sight. For more efficient headless operations, consider transitioning to a browser supporting headless mode natively, such as Google Chrome or Firefox. While this requires some adjustments, it can optimize your automation processes and improve performance significantly.