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.

Firefox is automatically re-setting itself as my default browser

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

whydoineedthis
whydoineedthis
more options

I set Firefox as my default browser; it had been IE. I then discovered that several of my programs will only open if IE is set as the default browser. (This is a separate issue.)

I reset IE as my default browser, opened one of the programs, and it went straight to Firefox. I went into IE and discovered it was no longer my default browser even though I had just changed this 30 seconds earlier. I re-set it, opened the program, and the exact same thing happened again. I restarted my computer, went through those steps again, and the same thing happened.

I uninstalled Firefox, and that fixed the issue. I then re-installed Firefox and took specific care that it wouldn't be set as my default browser.

I opened the program and boom, it went to Firefox. I am baffled.

I set Firefox as my default browser; it had been IE. I then discovered that several of my programs will only open if IE is set as the default browser. (This is a separate issue.) I reset IE as my default browser, opened one of the programs, and it went straight to Firefox. I went into IE and discovered it was no longer my default browser even though I had just changed this 30 seconds earlier. I re-set it, opened the program, and the exact same thing happened again. I restarted my computer, went through those steps again, and the same thing happened. I uninstalled Firefox, and that fixed the issue. I then re-installed Firefox and took specific care that it wouldn't be set as my default browser. I opened the program and boom, it went to Firefox. I am baffled.

All Replies (2)

Bradforth
Bradforth
more options

Hello Whydoineedthis

A possible cause of this error is that Firefox is set to run as Administrator. Check that Firefox isn't set to run as Administrator. Right-click the Firefox desktop shortcut and choose "Properties". Make sure that all items are deselected in the "Compatibility" tab of the Properties window.

Privilege Level: "Run this program as Administrator" should not be selected "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" should not be selected

Also check the Properties of the firefox.exe program in the Firefox program folder (C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\). If you can't make changes then start Windows Explorer as Administrator.

Hope this helps Brad

Modified by Bradforth

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

Did you check the setting in "Options/Preferences > General"?