How do I launch Firefox for Windows 8 Touch?

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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.

Firefox for Windows 8 Touch is currently available in the Nightly and Aurora test channels. The instructions below assume you are using Nightly, but they will also work for Aurora.

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 third-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
Note: If you have other versions of Firefox installed in addition to Nightly, the default browser prompt may show the icon and name of a different Firefox version instead. Click on whichever version of Firefox is listed in the prompt.

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

  • Open Firefox Nightly or Aurora on the desktop.
  • Click on the menu button at the top of the window, and choose Relaunch in Windows 8 style from the menu.

    switch-to-metro-aurora-menu
Note: If you are using a Nightly build with the new Firefox UI, click the menu button in the toolbar, then press the Windows 8 Touch button in the menu panel. If you don't see the button, click on Customize and drag the Windows 8 Touch button to the menu panel or the toolbar.

switch-to-metro-australis

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.

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 screen to launch the Metro-style version of Nightly.

If you were not prompted to set Nightly as your default browser:

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