Different ways of setting Firefox as default browser
If you have set the default browser as Firefox then whenever you click on any URL in mail application such as Outlook or Thunderbird), an HTML file or an Internet shortcut, your default browser i.e. Firefox is opened. By performing some simple steps, you can make Firefox your system default browser.
Sometimes it happens that even if you set Firefox as your default browser from Firefox options panel, Firefox doesn't open after you click on links and URLs. But there is absolutely no need to worry as there are alternate ways to make Firefox as your system default browser.
Set default browser
By using Firefox: You will find that most external programs open the links in Firefox, if its set as the default browser. The steps given below show how to set Firefox browser as your system default browser:
1] Open Firefox browser
2] At the top of Firefox window, you have to click on tools menu and then choose Options
3] If it is not selected already, select Main panel, then click on 'Check Now'
4] Select ‘Yes’ button to make Firefox browser as default browser of your system
Using the operating system: If even after setting Firefox as your default browser by using the above methods, Firefox is still reporting that it is not the system default browser, you should try using your OS to set system default browser
Windows Vista:
1] Click on start button and then click 'Default programs' item
2] Click on 'Set program Access and computer defaults item
3] In Access and defaults window, you have to click on custom radio button for expanding the custom category
4] Underneath the 'choose a default web browser', you have to click on radio button that is next to the 'Mozilla Firefox'.
5] Click on OK button that is at the bottom of window.
Windows XP
1] Click on the start button. You have to click on control panel icon and Windows control panel will open.
2] Click on Remove or Add programs icon for opening Add or Remove programs applet.
3] On the left hand side of Window, you have to click on 'Set program Access and defaults icon.
4] In Access and defaults window, you have to click on custom radio button for custom category.
5] Underneath the 'choose a default web browser', you have to click on radio button that is next to the 'Mozilla Firefox'.
6] Click on 'OK' button at the bottom of window.
Manually set the File types in Windows XP: If links from external programs like Outlook do not open in Firefox browser, you can always manually set file handling options.
1] Open the Windows Explorer
2] In menu bar, click on tools>Folder options
3] Click on File types tab
4] Find the 'URL: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, click on it and then select 'Advanced'
5] You have to then click on open action and then select 'Edit' button
6] Fill up the fields with information given below:
Action: open
Application that is used to do the action: After ensuring that you have installed Firefox to its default location, type C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
DDE message: %1.0.0
Use DDE: Checked
Topic: WWW_Open URL
Application: Firefox
Troublesome programs: There are programs that are hard coded for opening IE rather than default browser. Programs that open IE instead of default browser are listed below with possible solutions.
AIM 5.9 - You can upgrade to its latest version so that it opens the default browser (Firefox).
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Tags: Mozilla
