How do I launch Firefox for Windows 8 Touch?

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  • Revision id: 38454
  • Created:
  • Creator: Michael Verdi
  • Comment: Reorganization, note about appling to Windows 8 only, note about using Nightly, linked to another article for alternate steps to set as default
  • Reviewed: Yes
  • Reviewed:
  • Reviewed by: Verdi
  • Is approved? Yes
  • Is current revision? No
  • Ready for localization: Yes
  • Readied for localization:
  • Readied for localization by: Verdi
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Do you have a Windows 8 computer and would like to use a Metro-style Firefox instead of Internet Explorer? Now you can test a special version of Firefox (Firefox Nightly) which comes with a Metro-style version of Firefox designed from the ground up for Microsoft's latest operating system.

Important: Firefox Nightly and the Metro-style version of Firefox are for testing purposes only.
Note: This article only applies to Windows 8.

Step 1: Install Firefox Nightly and make it your default browser

Note: Firefox Nightly cannot run on Windows RT devices. And due to Microsoft's restrictions on thrid-party browsers, Firefox nightly can't be downloaded from the Windows Store at this moment.
  1. Visit the Nightly download website: https://nightly.mozilla.org in any browser.

    Install_Nightly download website
  2. Click the "Windows Express" or "Windows Standard" link to start the download. Depending on your connection speed, the download may take a few minutes. Thanks for your patience - it’ll be worth the wait!
  3. Start the install process by clicking "Run":

    Install_run application
  4. Then, just follow the installation steps (we’ve made the process as painless as possible).
  5. When you are done, Firefox Nightly will start and ask you to make it your default browser. Click Yes.

    Nightly Default Win8
  6. Finally, Windows will want you to confirm that you want Nightly to open links. Select Nightly to finish setting it as your default browser.

    Choose Nightly to open http links

Step 2: Launch Windows 8 (Metro-style) Firefox

  • From the Start screen, select the Nightly tile. It should look like a white globe on a background of stars.

    Firefox Nightly as default
    • You will be taken to the new start page. Just enter website address or search term to get started.

      Metro Start

Troubleshooting: Make Firefox Nightly the default browser again

If for some reason, Firefox Nightly is no longer the default browser on your computer, you won't be able to use the Metro-style Firefox. In this case the tile on the start screen will change to look like a dark blue globe on a plain blue background

Firefox Nightly not as default

Don't worry, you can always make Firefox Nightly the default browser again.

  1. Just start Nightly (it will open in the classic Windows mode) and it will ask you to make it the default browser. Click Yes.

    Nightly Default Win8
  2. Confirm that you want Nightly to open links. Select Nightly and you're back in business.

    Choose Nightly to open http links
Note: Return to the Start srceen to launch the Metro-style version of Nightly.

If you were not propted to set Nightly as your default browser

Make sure the steps are done with Firefox Nightly and not regular Firefox.