This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Certain websites require IE, and accidentally setting Firefox as my default browser has completely messed up my desktop shortcuts.

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 9 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

nickenbenzmobile
nickenbenzmobile
more options

When I changed my default back to IE, the icons changed back, but everything still opens in Firefox... How can I get the shortcuts to open in IE? I've tried deleting the original shortcuts and creating new ones, but they still open in Firefox... Thanks

When I changed my default back to IE, the icons changed back, but everything still opens in Firefox... How can I get the shortcuts to open in IE? I've tried deleting the original shortcuts and creating new ones, but they still open in Firefox... Thanks

Chosen solution

Hi,

I'm not 100% sure I understand your problem. From what you've said, I think you're saying you've changed your default browser to Firefox, and the desktop icons all changed from the internet explorer icon (the blue e) to the firefox icon. You've changed the default browser back to IE, but the icons haven't changed back, and when you click on them they open in Firefox.

If that's the case, the problem is with your default browser setup. From what you've said, you've already set it in the browser similiar to the support article; for some reason Windows hasn't changed the default browser.

You could try (in Win 7) opening the control panel, then Programs ->Set Default Programs, and click on Internet Explorer in there, then "Set this Program as Default".

Ian

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (2)

ian81
ian81
more options

Chosen Solution

Hi,

I'm not 100% sure I understand your problem. From what you've said, I think you're saying you've changed your default browser to Firefox, and the desktop icons all changed from the internet explorer icon (the blue e) to the firefox icon. You've changed the default browser back to IE, but the icons haven't changed back, and when you click on them they open in Firefox.

If that's the case, the problem is with your default browser setup. From what you've said, you've already set it in the browser similiar to the support article; for some reason Windows hasn't changed the default browser.

You could try (in Win 7) opening the control panel, then Programs ->Set Default Programs, and click on Internet Explorer in there, then "Set this Program as Default".

Ian

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Internet shortcuts open in the browser that is set as the default browser, so if they open in Firefox then that means that Firefox is still the default browser.
If you want to open them in IE then you need to set IE as the default browser and disable the request in Firefox.

  • Tools > Options > Advanced > General: System Defaults: "Always check to see if Firefox is the default browser on startup"
  • Control Panel > Internet Options > Programs