How can I download a file using the IE COM object from PowerShell without showing any browser window?

You can use the `InternetExplorer.Application` COM object in PowerShell, setting `Silent = $True` and `Visible = $False`. Then call `Navigate2` with the target URL and monitor the `busy` property. Once loaded, retrieve the file content from the document body or cache. This method spawns an `iexplore.exe` process in the background and is covered in the article's active mode when no IE process exists.