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.

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

Lolu chungechunge lwabekwa kunqolobane. Uyacelwa ubuze umbuzo omusha uma udinga usizo.

Open external links in private-window

  • 4 uphendule
  • 2 zinale nkinga
  • 86 views
  • Igcine ukuphendulwa ngu Yaron

more options

On Windows, Firefox adds a pre-set command line to the Windows registry under

   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxHTML\shell\open\command
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxURL\shell\open\command 

If you change the -url in the command line to -private-window -- from

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -osint -url "%1"

to

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -osint -private-window "%1"

-- then all external links launch in a private window.


jscher2000 in https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1119073

This no longer works in FF 69. As soon as I modify "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxURL-F66A7FFE1BF331E2\shell\open\command", FF is detecting it and changes its status to "NOT your default browser".

I'd appreciate your help.

On Windows, Firefox adds a pre-set command line to the Windows registry under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxHTML\shell\open\command HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxURL\shell\open\command If you change the -url in the command line to -private-window -- from "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -osint -url "%1" to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -osint -private-window "%1" -- then all external links launch in a private window. --------- jscher2000 in https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1119073 This no longer works in FF 69. As soon as I modify "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxURL-F66A7FFE1BF331E2\shell\open\command", FF is detecting it and changes its status to "NOT your default browser". I'd appreciate your help.

Okulungisiwe ngu Yaron

Isisombululo esikhethiwe

@radar81,

Yes, I've found a solution.

Use:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxHTML-F66A7FFE1BF441E2\shell\open\command] @="\"C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox New\\firefox.exe\" -private-window \"%1\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxURL-F66A7FFE1BF441E2\shell\open\command] @="\"C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox New\\firefox.exe\" -private-window \"%1\""

Replace the path and "-F66A7FFE1BF441E2" with your strings.

The status in FF preferences will change to "NOT your default browser" but *it will actually remain the default browser*.

Regards.

Funda le mpendulo ngokuhambisana nalesi sihloko 👍 1

All Replies (4)

more options

I am also wanting to do set external links to launch in a private window by default. I also tried the same solution proposed by jscher2000 in https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1119073 and found that it no longer works. Were you able to find a solution? Thanks!

more options

Isisombululo Esikhethiwe

@radar81,

Yes, I've found a solution.

Use:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxHTML-F66A7FFE1BF441E2\shell\open\command] @="\"C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox New\\firefox.exe\" -private-window \"%1\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxURL-F66A7FFE1BF441E2\shell\open\command] @="\"C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox New\\firefox.exe\" -private-window \"%1\""

Replace the path and "-F66A7FFE1BF441E2" with your strings.

The status in FF preferences will change to "NOT your default browser" but *it will actually remain the default browser*.

Regards.

Okulungisiwe ngu Yaron

more options

@Yaron It works, thanks so much!

more options

You're welcome.