Browser
HeadStart.gov officially supports any browser that implements modern web standards. For the best security and performance, we recommend using the latest version of the following.
- Google Chrome (Desktop & Mobile)
- Apple Safari (Desktop & iOS)
- Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox
Operating System (OS)
There is no minimum Operating System. If the device can run a modern, updated browser listed above, it can run the HeadStart.gov site. This includes:
- Microsoft Windows 10 and 11
- Apple macOS (Recent versions supporting modern Safari/Chrome)
- Linux distributions
- Android and iOS (Any version from the last 4–5 years)
Viewing Documents and Media
- Videos: All multimedia resources play directly in your browser. No extra plug-ins or media players are required.
- PDFs: The modern browsers noted above will open PDF files directly.
- Microsoft Word & PowerPoint Files: To view .docx or .pptx files, you will need a compatible Office Suite (such as Microsoft 365, Google Docs, or Apple iWork).
How to Open .ZIP Files
Some resource packages are downloaded as compressed .zip files.
- Microsoft Windows: Right-click the file, select Extract All, and follow the prompts.
- Apple Mac / iOS / Android: Double-click or tap the file to automatically unpack it.
