Custom installation of Firefox on Windows

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  • Creator: AliceWyman
  • Comment: reworded the Intro
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  • Reviewed by: AliceWyman
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Starting with Firefox version 55, we’ve simplified new Firefox installations on Windows with the online Firefox Installer. This streamlined installer removes the Options page which allowed you to change settings such as the installation folder and whether to add program shortcuts.

This article explains the custom options that are available in the Firefox full, offline installer.

How to install Firefox with custom settings

The full offline installer is available if you'd like to choose between 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Firefox, install Firefox in other languages or install Firefox with custom options. You can download the full offline installer from the Systems and Languages page.

When you run the full installer, the Mozilla Firefox Setup Wizard will open.

Fx54CustomSetup1

After clicking Next you can choose a Standard or Custom installation. The Standard setup will be selected by default.

Fx54CustomSetup2-Type

A Custom setup lets you choose the folder where Firefox program files will be installed, as well as which shortcuts to create. These options are not available in a Standard setup. Select the Custom setup type and click Next.

Choose where Firefox is installed

The next step is where you can choose a different Destination Folder, which is where the Firefox program will be installed.

Fx54CustomSetup3-Location

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\ is the default folder path on 32-bit Windows. It's also the default location on 64-bit Windows when the 64-bit Firefox version is installed.

When the 32-bit Firefox version is installed on 64-bit Windows, the default folder path is C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\

You can change the folder where Firefox will be installed either by manually typing the location of another folder on your computer or you can click Browse... to select a new folder.

  • Space required: The amount of space on your hard drive that's needed to install Firefox.
  • Space available: The amount of space available on your hard drive.

Click Next to continue.

Choose optional components

Fx54CustomSetup3a-Maintenance-Service

In the next screen you can choose whether to install the optional Mozilla Maintenance Service which allows application updates to occur in the background, without requiring you to click Yes in the Windows User Account Control (UAC) dialog. For more information, see What is the Mozilla Maintenance Service?.

Note: This option may be missing in some cases, as when installing Firefox with a limited user account or when the Mozilla Maintenance Service is already installed.

Choose shortcuts

Fx54CustomSetup4-Shortcuts

  • On my Desktop: You can choose to create a Firefox shortcut icon on the Windows Desktop.
  • In my Start Menu Programs folder: This will create a Firefox shortcut icon in the Windows Start Menu Programs folder.

After choosing which Firefox program shortcuts to create, click Next.

Summary

The Summary that comes up next will show the folder location where Firefox will be installed.

Fx54CustomSetup5-Summary-NewInstall

  • Check mark Use Firefox as my default web browser if you want Firefox to start up when you open a link in your mail application, an Internet shortcut, or HTML document. For more information, see Make Firefox your default browser.
Note: The option to make Firefox your default web browser will be missing if you don't have permission to set Windows Registry keys or if you are installing Firefox over an existing version and Firefox is already the default browser.

Fx54CustomSetup5-Summary-Upgrade

If you are reinstalling Firefox over an existing version, you'll see an Upgrade button instead of an Install button.

Click Install or Upgrade to complete the installation. When Firefox is finished installing, the "Completing the Mozilla Firefox Setup Wizard" screen will appear.

Fx54CustomSetup7-Finish

Click Finish. This will start Firefox unless you first clear the "Launch Firefox now" checkbox.

Congratulations, you are done installing Firefox!