changing default browser

Computer Help and Discussions Software
1

it sounds stupid but it make me crazy, lately. Now, IE8 is my default and usually stated at top in start menu panel.

I tried to change to another browser as default, let say FF but after click 'yes' (on pop-up prompt to set as default browser ) when starting FF and look at top in start menu,it still show IE8 icon not FF. I also tried to Chrome or Opera and the result is same.

Go to Start > Run > type 'www.piriform.com' and it took me to IE8 opened.

any idea ?

last time, I run reg cleaner by Tuneup Utilities2010 and already backed up. So restore back up file of TU and still didn't work. Problem still exist.

I think ,its registry related.

2

Have you tried changing the defaut browser from within windows itself?

Are you using windows7 abu, I forget.

3

Have you tried changing the defaut browser from within windows itself?

Are you using windows7 abu, I forget.

I did, go to all programs > set program access and default > set another browser as default

XP Pro SP3

I was trying to FF and it worked. now, FF icon stated in start menu.

then I type, say 'www.google.com' and it still carried me to IE8 not FF

4

I had that problem once - try reinstalling Firefox, and make sure you choose "Set Firefox as your default browser" (or something like that) in the installer.

5

I edited this post to better explain things and to remove unnecessary regedit navigation.

Ah, that is so annoying.

I'm going to tell you how to fix it, now, and every time this happens to you.

Now, this involves registry viewing and/or editing, so be careful and read first!

(I know this works on XP, but not sure on others)

1) First set your browser as default (through Windows or through your browser's settings)

Through Windows:

Right-click-taskbar > properties > Start-menu-tab > customize > (at bottom of General tab)

Select your browser and click ok.

If this worked, then you are done. If not, continue.

2) Go to this registry key (again, please be careful)

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet]

Now look at that key's sub-keys.

Look for your browser's name (ie FIREFOX.EXE)

Right-click on it and click rename (don't modify it, just copy its name)

Now click on the "StartMenuInternet" key.

OK, here comes editing:

Once on the "StartMenuInternet" key, look at the "Default" value.

Replace the data of this value with the name of the browser you just copied (ie FIREFOX.EXE).

Now go to this other registry key and replace the same "Default" value with the same browser name.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet]

Make a backup of those two keys (right-click-key > export)

And you are done. :)

If your browser asks again to be set as default, well, click yes!

And sorry for the bad English.

6

There's freeware programs floating about that allow you to change the default browser. I can't vouch for how good they are though since I've never tried them.

Typically what I'll do is set the default browser, then click upon an HTML or URL file to finish up the file association.

7

that's very annoying :angry:

I followed your suggests, it still didn't work. There's must be something in registry.

See the screenshot below,

Zxv2gs.jpg

Now, FF is default. Let say, start Opera then pop-up prompt will show to ask as default,click yes > now Opera as default. Opera icon should be stated in start menu,right ? but it still show FF icon.

Go to Start > Run > type 'www.google.com, still took me to FF not Opera.

IE & Chrome get same result as Opera.

8

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/defaultbrowser.htm

This one can set firefox portable as default as well.

9

Now, FF is default. Let say, start Opera then pop-up prompt will show to ask as default,click yes > now Opera as default. Opera icon should be stated in start menu,right ? but it still show FF icon.

Go to Start > Run > type 'www.google.com, still took me to FF not Opera.

IE & Chrome get same result as Opera.

Now all you need to do is this (I will try to better explain it):

Go to this registry key:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet]

Look at the value "Default" (double-click it)

On "Value Data" type the name of your browser, lets say "OPERA.EXE" (all uppercase and without quotes)

After you type it, click Ok and close regedit.

Now go to this other key and do exactly the same thing:

[HKEY_Local_Machine\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet]

Now, make a backup of those two keys (right-click-key > export)

Read my previous post again if you still have problems (I edited it).

Btw, nice desktop. ;)

10

thank to you,all :)

problem fixed

11

it sounds stupid but it make me crazy, lately. Now, IE8 is my default and usually stated at top in start menu panel.

I tried to change to another browser as default, let say FF but after click 'yes' (on pop-up prompt to set as default browser ) when starting FF and look at top in start menu,it still show IE8 icon not FF. I also tried to Chrome or Opera and the result is same.

Go to Start > Run > type 'www.piriform.com' and it took me to IE8 opened.

any idea ?

last time, I run reg cleaner by Tuneup Utilities2010 and already backed up. So restore back up file of TU and still didn't work. Problem still exist.

I think ,its registry related.

At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Tools menu, and select Options....

Select the Advanced panel, then click the General tab, and then click Check Now.

Select Yes to set Firefox as your default browser.

12

At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Tools menu, and select Options....

Select the Advanced panel, then click the General tab, and then click Check Now.

Select Yes to set Firefox as your default browser.

If you read the last post, he did say, "Problem fixed." :)