Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Clicking on URL link in received email opens new browser instance but without the targeted URL

hpcpotts
hpcpotts
more options

Just started using Thunderbird 52.5.0 64bit and am running Firefox 57.0.1 64bit as the default browser on a new Ubuntu 16.04 computer. When I click on any URL link in any received email, a new instance of Firefox starts (even if Firefox window was already open/running) but the clicked URL is NOT shown. The new instance shows only the expected Home page. This is not the same as the common problem of failing to even open the browser. My browser opens (in a new window) but no hint of selected URL having been passed to it by Thunderbird.

Lots of reading of support forums/fora for Thunderbird, Firefox, Ubuntu, Google, etc. have provided no help. Hoping someone here has an idea.

BTW, the above applies to both http and https references. Also, html attachments in Thunderbird CORRECTLY open that attachment in a new tab of Firefox.

Just started using Thunderbird 52.5.0 64bit and am running Firefox 57.0.1 64bit as the default browser on a new Ubuntu 16.04 computer. When I click on any URL link in any received email, a new instance of Firefox starts (even if Firefox window was already open/running) but the clicked URL is NOT shown. The new instance shows only the expected Home page. This is not the same as the common problem of failing to even open the browser. My browser opens (in a new window) but no hint of selected URL having been passed to it by Thunderbird. Lots of reading of support forums/fora for Thunderbird, Firefox, Ubuntu, Google, etc. have provided no help. Hoping someone here has an idea. BTW, the above applies to both http and https references. Also, html attachments in Thunderbird CORRECTLY open that attachment in a new tab of Firefox.

Modified by hpcpotts

Chosen solution

The problem is with the browser not Thunderbird.

Located some helpful info: https://askubuntu.com/questions/41010/link-clicked-not-passed-to-firefox http://kb.mozillazine.org/Default_browser#KDE http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=2552483

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (3)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

The problem is with the browser not Thunderbird.

Located some helpful info: https://askubuntu.com/questions/41010/link-clicked-not-passed-to-firefox http://kb.mozillazine.org/Default_browser#KDE http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=2552483

hpcpotts
hpcpotts Question owner
more options

That was the soln. FYI in my user case (Unity/Ubuntu) there are two identical Firefox files, ~/.local/share/applications/firefox.desktop and ~/.local/share/applications/_usr_lib_firefox_firefox.desktop , that omit the "%u" argument from the "Exec" line. I killed Firefox, edited the %u into both files, and restarted Firefox. Don't know which of the two changes provided the actual fix. Thx.

michaelmozilla
michaelmozilla
more options

I've same operating system, version of Firefox (updated to 57.03 64bit), and same Thunderbird. I too had same problem. My solution came form following Toad-Hall's solution. With a little change. Maybe this can also help if run into what I did along the way. Started following the instructions provided in first link. I erased the file firefox.desktop thinking oh well I can always reinstall if needed as mine was untrusted and wouldn't open. So I never got to edit the file and add the %U. Restarted Firefox and set as default, checking that it was so also in SYSTEM SETTINGS>DETAILS>DEFAULT APPLICATIONS - Firefox Web Browser (before the deletion it was Yahoo-Firefox Browser or so - not the normal as stated above). Links in websites and emails have been working fine since.

Modified by michaelmozilla