How do I launch Firefox for Windows 8 Touch?

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  • Creator: Matt Brubeck
  • Comment: fix typos
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  • Reviewed by: mbrubeck
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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 Aurora) which comes with a Windows 8 Touch ("Metro") 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 Aurora, but they will also work for Nightly.

Important: Firefox Aurora, 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 Aurora and make it your default browser

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

    aurora-download-page
  2. Click the "Download" button 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 Aurora will start and ask you to make it your default browser. Click Yes.

    Aurora win8 default prompt
  6. Finally, Windows will want you to confirm that you want Aurora to open links. Select Aurora to finish setting it as your default browser.

    Choose Aurora Win8 Default
Note: If you have other versions of Firefox installed in addition to Aurora, 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 Aurora on the desktop.
  • Click on the Aurora 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 Aurora the default browser again

If for some reason, Firefox Aurora 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 Aurora the default browser again.

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

    Aurora win8 default prompt
  2. Confirm that you want Aurora to open links. Select Aurora and you're back in business.

    Choose Aurora Win8 Default
  3. Choose Relaunch in Windows 8 Style from the Aurora menu to switch back to Metro mode.

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

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