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Get google when download firefox, cannot use.

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  • Last reply by James

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I downloaded the firefox search engine, but when I click on the icon, a google search site comes up instead, with no way to access firefox.

I downloaded the firefox search engine, but when I click on the icon, a google search site comes up instead, with no way to access firefox.

All Replies (5)

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When you install Firefox from the official site, usually the start page is a built-in page with a large Firefox logo on it. You may also see some welcome pages about browser features.

If you are not sure you used the official installer, you can rename the installation folder and try again:

(1) Rename the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox to something like C:\Program Files (x86)\SomeFirefox

(2) Download the full installer from this page (scroll down to your preferred language): https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/

When you install Firefox again, it will discover some plugins and other add-ons on your system. Those might also customize Firefox without asking your approval. But please try the first step and let us know what you get.

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Tried using the website you suggested, "https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/" and got the website "https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new" as the closest result. But again after installation, all I get is the google website with no means of accessing firefox. Frustrating. I guess firefox and google are involved in some sort of turf war. Firefox might have to resort to legal action or face bankruptcy from lack of customer access.

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Did you click the link: https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/

The site usually does compute your language code and redirect, so if that is U.S. English, the link would be: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/

However, this should not give you search results, it should directly load one very specific web page with a very long list of Firefox downloads in different languages. If you can't use links normally, I suspect something bad has befallen your system.

Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

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Could the issue be that Firefox imported settings from one of your other browsers when you installed it? If you want to modify your startup/home page, see either of these articles:

I have attached the usual startup page for comparison, which is what you get if you leave the home page address blank.


If you still get an unexpected home page, could you try testing in Firefox's Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Does that change what you see?

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jrichardmax said

Tried using the website you suggested, "https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/" and got the website "https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new" as the closest result. But again after installation, all I get is the google website with no means of accessing firefox. Frustrating. I guess firefox and google are involved in some sort of turf war. Firefox might have to resort to legal action or face bankruptcy from lack of customer access.

Firefox is a web browser and Google.com for example is a search engine site.

Mozilla is actually getting away from Google as the default search engine in Search Bar as they have been using Yahoo for the default search engine since Firefox 36 in en-US Firefox. Other locales have changed to a different search engine also then.

Maybe you have your Homepage setup as a Google website in Options->General

Modified by James