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Why won't Firefox stay my default browser, since Feb. 9 Firefox update? I set it as the default but it keeps indicating it is not.

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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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Firefox has been my default browser for years. After recent Firefox update Feb. 9, 2018, I keep getting an alert that Firefox is not my default browser. It is indicated as default browser in Windows 10 settings and I have gone thru Firefox menus to set there as well, but none works. I tried refreshing Firefox, that doesn't work either. Is there a bug in the most recent update? How to fix?

Firefox has been my default browser for years. After recent Firefox update Feb. 9, 2018, I keep getting an alert that Firefox is not my default browser. It is indicated as default browser in Windows 10 settings and I have gone thru Firefox menus to set there as well, but none works. I tried refreshing Firefox, that doesn't work either. Is there a bug in the most recent update? How to fix?

All Replies (9)

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McAfee WebAdvisor has caused problems in the past. Disable it as a test.


https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.

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I tried refreshing the browser, changing settings various ways and disabling the WebAdvisor but nothing worked. Finally went thru some steps to refresh things in 2018, recommended by Windows. It is all working ok today. Thanks for trying to help.

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That was very good work. Well done. Please flag your last post as Solved Problem so others will know.

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Actually, it has reared its head again.  ;<( When I want to open the browser from an email link, Firefox opens but when I open Firefox from the icon on my toolbar, it opens and indicates Firefox is not my default browser. I know I can turn off the notification, but it is a bit frustrating that this continues to happen.

I even tried resetting everything in settings to Windows 10 default, then went in and manually changed, AGAIN, the browser to Firefox but still having trouble.

This recently started after Firefox updated, as well as some new Windows updates.

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Hmm. Open the Programs Folder on your computer. How many Firefox folder are there?

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86)

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None!  ????? That doesn't make sense.

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Oops. Looked for Firefox, instead of Mozilla. Sorry. There is one Mozilla Firefox in "Program Files" and one in "Program Files )x86)".

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In my Settings (apps and features), there are 2 separate apps: -58.0.2 x64 145 MB dated 3/1/18 -58.0.2 x 86 132 MB dated 2/12/18

Maybe I need to uninstall the 2/12/18 app?

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The dates on the folders may not be when they were created.

Let’s do a full clean re-install;

Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link}

Save the file. Then Close Firefox.

Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86)

Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac

Linux: Check your user manual. If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it. See Install Firefox on Linux; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux

If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder Firefox in your home directory. http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Look for, and remove any Mozilla or Firefox program folders. Do not remove the Mozilla Thunderbird folder if there is one.

Do Not remove the profiles folder.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner if you have one. Then run the installer. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If there is a problem, start your Computer in safe mode and try again.

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Linux+Safe+Mode This shows how to Start all Computers in Safe Mode; Free Online Encyclopedia