Safe Exam Browser transforms any Windows, Mac, or iOS device into a secure exam workstation. It locks down your computer, prevents cheating, and integrates seamlessly with Moodle, ILIAS, and other learning platforms. Trusted by thousands of universities and institutions worldwide for reliable, tamper-proof online assessments.
About SEB
Safe Exam Browser (SEB) is a free, open-source lockdown browser developed to make online examinations tamper-proof. Originally created by ETH Zurich and now maintained by an international alliance of academic institutions, SEB converts any standard computer or mobile device into a secured exam terminal.
Core Features
Safe Exam Browser combines powerful security controls with straightforward usability so exam administrators and students can focus on what matters.
SEB creates a kiosk-style environment that disables the taskbar, Start menu, keyboard shortcuts, and system tray. Students can only interact with the approved exam window, eliminating all common cheating vectors in one step.
Administrators specify exactly which processes are allowed or prohibited during an exam session. SEB terminates any blacklisted application automatically, preventing the use of calculators, browsers, or communication tools not sanctioned by the exam rules.
Exam settings are bundled into encrypted .seb configuration files that launch the browser with the correct parameters. Share a single file with students and the entire exam environment is preconfigured — no manual setup required on test day.
Safe Exam Browser connects directly with Moodle, ILIAS, Canvas, and other major learning management systems. Instructors can mandate SEB for specific quizzes and verify that students are using the browser through browser exam key validation.
SEB can disable screen capture, screen recording, and remote desktop connections during a session. This prevents students from sharing their screen with external parties to receive assistance, ensuring the integrity of remote examinations.
From allowing specific websites to controlling clipboard access, zoom behaviour, and password protection, SEB offers hundreds of configurable options. Administrators fine-tune every aspect of the exam environment to match institutional policy.
A single configuration file works across Windows, macOS, and iOS. Students on any supported device follow the same experience, reducing support overhead and ensuring consistent exam conditions regardless of the hardware used.
Built on a Chromium engine, SEB loads pages quickly and supports modern web technologies including HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript frameworks. There is no noticeable performance penalty compared to a standard browser session.
Comprehensive user manuals for Windows, macOS, and iOS are maintained by the SEB Alliance. Our guide section supplements these with step-by-step tutorials written in plain language for both students and administrators.
Download
Download the latest stable version for your operating system. All builds are scanned and verified before release.
Current stable release — Windows & macOS
Click the Download button above to get the SEB_3.10.1 SetupBundle.exe file from the official release. The file is approximately 28 MB.
Right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator." Accept the User Account Control prompt when it appears.
Click Next, read and accept the Mozilla Public License, choose your installation directory, then click Install. The process takes under a minute.
Open SEB from the Start menu or by double-clicking a .seb configuration file provided by your institution. The browser will enter secure mode immediately.
Use the institution-provided quit password or key combination to close SEB safely once the exam session has ended.
Having trouble? See our troubleshooting guide for common fixes.
Workflow
From exam creation to submission, SEB ensures a consistently secure process for both administrators and students.
The instructor sets up the exam in their LMS and creates a .seb configuration file with the required security settings.
Students download and install Safe Exam Browser from the official source once. The same installation works for all future exams.
Opening the .seb file launches a locked browser session. Unauthorised applications are terminated and restricted features are disabled.
The student completes the exam inside SEB and submits. The instructor verifies the browser exam key to confirm SEB was used throughout.
Compatibility
Check whether your device meets the minimum requirements before downloading Safe Exam Browser.
| Platform | Minimum Version | Recommended | RAM | Storage | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 | Version 1803 | Version 22H2 | 4 GB | 100 MB | Supported |
| Windows 11 | Any release | 23H2 or later | 4 GB | 100 MB | Supported |
| macOS Ventura (13) | 13.0 | 13.6+ | 4 GB | 200 MB | Supported |
| macOS Sonoma (14) | 14.0 | 14.5+ | 8 GB | 200 MB | Supported |
| macOS Sequoia (15) | 15.0 | Latest | 8 GB | 200 MB | Supported |
| iOS 14 | 14.0 | Latest patch | — | 100 MB | Supported |
| Android | — | — | — | — | Not Available |
| Windows 7 / 8 | — | — | — | — | End of Life |
| macOS 10.x | — | — | — | — | Legacy Only |
User Reviews
Thousands of institutions rely on Safe Exam Browser every day. Here is what real users have to say.
"We rolled out Safe Exam Browser across our entire university for final examinations and the results were outstanding. The Moodle integration worked flawlessly, and our IT team had it deployed within a single afternoon."
"As a student, I was nervous about using a lockdown browser for the first time. The setup took less than five minutes and the exam experience was smooth throughout. I had no issues with my MacBook running macOS Sonoma."
"We evaluated several lockdown browsers and SEB stood out for its open-source nature and granular configuration options. Our Moodle administrators were able to create SEB-enforced quizzes within an hour of first reading the documentation."
"The configuration flexibility is remarkable. I can allow a specific whitelist of resources for open-book exams while still blocking everything else. SEB handles complex exam scenarios that simpler lockdown solutions simply cannot manage."
"After comparing SEB with other lockdown browser solutions, the decision was easy. It is free, actively maintained, and the community forum is genuinely helpful when troubleshooting edge cases. Our students adapted quickly."
"Our professional certification exams required a reliable, cross-platform browser that our candidates could install themselves. Safe Exam Browser met every requirement and reduced our exam invigilation costs significantly."
FAQ
Find answers to common questions about downloading, installing, configuring, and using Safe Exam Browser.
General usage, security, compatibility, and exam control questions.
Setup, launch errors, exit options, and practical student support.
Guides & Tutorials
Step-by-step guides written for students and administrators alike, covering installation, configuration, Moodle setup, and troubleshooting.
A complete step-by-step walkthrough covering the download, installation, and first launch of Safe Exam Browser on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Includes troubleshooting for common setup errors.
Learn how to configure Moodle to require Safe Exam Browser for specific quizzes. Covers browser exam key setup, quiz restrictions, and testing the configuration before your exam goes live.
If Safe Exam Browser is crashing, failing to start, or throwing error messages, this guide covers the twelve most common issues and their proven solutions for Windows and macOS.