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In Windows 7, how do you create a shorcut (which can be pinned to task bar) that will force the link to open with FireFox browser

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by terryconn

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didn't find any successful methods on line. is there an argument to add in properties to a command line when it opens to force firefox like there is for IE?

didn't find any successful methods on line. is there an argument to add in properties to a command line when it opens to force firefox like there is for IE?

Chosen solution

Hi terryconn, that is correct: you need a traditional desktop shortcut pointed to one or more URLs. You cannot use a web/.url shortcut because that will always use your default browser.

Note: This article documents various command-line switches that may or may not be useful in the future (the -u switch for URL is optional): https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Mozilla/Command_Line_Options

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Firefox is NOT set as the default browser in our office, so we need a solution that works with FF not the default browser.

I may have stumbled into solution using a created shortcut with the START IN In showing "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" and the TARGET showing this same path "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" followed by the web link. This seems to work and can be pinned to the task bar.

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posted inadvertently   -   sorry   !

Modified by Happy112

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Chosen Solution

Hi terryconn, that is correct: you need a traditional desktop shortcut pointed to one or more URLs. You cannot use a web/.url shortcut because that will always use your default browser.

Note: This article documents various command-line switches that may or may not be useful in the future (the -u switch for URL is optional): https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Mozilla/Command_Line_Options

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Thanks. This modified command line actually does work and is quite simple to do.

For those not familiar with how this is done and need help, here are detailed steps I did in Windows 7 to solve this using one command line option. These steps are written for the novice:

1. First, locate the Firefox launch icon, assumed to be on the desktop. Point the mouse at the icon, Right Click and then Left Click on PROPERTIES. Locate the TARGET area text, Left Click inside the text box and highlight the entire text. Press either Control C or right click the mouse and left click on COPY.

2. On a blank part of Desktop, Right Click to open an options box and then Left Click on NEW and then SHORTCUT. On the new program screen point the mouse inside the text area where the location if the item is supposed to go and Right Click then Paste (or use Control V). Note this text should either have one " (double quotation mark) on the beginning and one on the end or no " characters at all, As needed make that correction and press NEXT. Now enter the desired name of the Shortcut in the text box indicated for the shortcut name and press FINISH. Next locate the newly created shortcut on the desktop for future reference.

3. Obtain the web address for the site FireFox will be forced to open. To copy the web link address text electronically open the site in another browser or in Firefox, then Left Click in the web address area to copy the entire web link address. Highlight the whole address with Control A and press Control C for COPY (or use the mouse to press and hold the left click to highlight all text and then right click and left click on Copy)

4. Go back to the new shortcut icon, on it Right Click then Left Click PROPERTIES. Locate the Target text area, left click inside the text area and navigate with arrows, the END key, or mouse to go to the end of the text located in this TARGET text area. Make sure none of the text is highlighted.

5. Enter a single space after this text and press Control V. This will paste the website address into the text area.

If done correctly there will be in the Target text box the Firefox program address on the computer, then a space, and then the full web address.

6. Click Apply and OK ,

The Target text entered forces FireFox to look for and open the designated web app included on the command line after the space. This can be used if a web site application requires use of FireFox to operate correctly, when FireFox is not the default browser, and when a user wants to efficiently open using a desktop icon / shortcut / bookmark / or pin a link to the Task Bar.

Modified by terryconn