Firefox Community Forum

Every time I login on my computer, there is already an open Firefox webpage with a dialog box asking me if I want Firefox to be my primary default browser. Once I click "Set a Default Browse", a Microsoft Edge webpage appears giving me a list of choices of Microsoft application to select to be my browser. Firefox is not on the list. There is also a dialog box that appears on the lower right corner of the screen showing me the steps on how to make Firefox my default browser. The choices are "Show Me How" and "No Thanks". When I click the "Show me how", I am taken to Firefox setting, once I click the "Make Default" I am taken back to the list of Microsoft applications to choose as my browser. The bottom line is I cannot make Firefox my default browser anymore. In fact, I am not even sure if I am sending this message to Firefox or Mozilla. This is the URL that I see on this https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/new/firefox/form.

Would you please check and correct the problem. I cannot make Firefox my default browser. Would you check if Firefox is my default browser.

I operate with several to many windows open (and many tabs). Firefox (Mac) used to list the open Windows in the Window menu in the order I originally created/opened each window. A while back, FF started sorting – and re-sorting! – the list of open windows alphabetically according to the Tab that is currently active in each Window. This means that the window appears in different places in the Window menu list according to the name of the Tab. I DO NOT LIKE THAT because the it makes the Window hard to find.

Is there any way to set this to operate the way it used to - keeping the Window list in the order first opened, regardless of which Tab is open?

I feel like I've tried everything to stop Firefox from automatically opening when I start my Windows 11 computer.

I've checked: task manager, the startup folder in Windows 11 (shell:startup), The registry under "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run", Settings>Apps>Startup, and also in Firefox under Settings>"Open Firefox automatically when your computer starts up", and under "about:config">toolkit.winRegisterApplicationRestart (change value to false).

Can anyone tell me why Firefox is still automatically launching at startup of Windows 11?

This may be a small issue but it's pretty bothering, I do understand that the web app as of now is primarily to be pinned at the taskbar, but would this be done in the start menu in the future? I mainly keep my apps at the start menu for my convenience.

Basically the problem here is the shortcut icon, so take this Messenger web app as an example. If I pin this to taskbar, or even make a desktop shortcut, it's showing the correct icon, it's also in the start menu but unpinned. However, when I pin it to the start menu, in the app catalog, it changes to the Firefox icon (for some reason the one on the taskbar sometimes does that as well).

I've tried looking into the Properties tab of the shortcut, but apparently it's already set to the Messenger icon, so I'm guessing it's primarily the start menu problem.

I despise ai in every use and way with a passion. Now, it gets spammed everywhere on this browser, with no apparent way to disable and/or remove that filth. I don't want to see it, ever! Why is it even on by default??? I don't want "chatbots", "Ai assistants" or any of that shit at all.

1. 1. 1. Setting Up Grok as an AI Chatbot in the Firefox Sidebar

Mozilla Firefox includes an experimental-turned-standard feature (introduced around version 131 and stabilized by version 133+) that allows users to integrate AI chatbots directly into the browser's sidebar for quick access while browsing. This provides a persistent chat interface without needing to switch tabs constantly. Natively, Firefox supports providers like ChatGPT (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), Claude (Anthropic), Le Chat (Mistral), and others through a dropdown selector. However, Grok (from xAI) is not included in the official list and must be added manually as a custom provider.

The screenshot you provided shows the standard Firefox "Proceed with Caution" warning when accessing `about:config` (the advanced preferences page), alongside an open tab at `https://grok.com/` displaying the SuperGrok interface. This strongly indicates the setup process for adding Grok via a custom configuration tweak, which loads the full Grok web app into the sidebar (essentially embedding `grok.com` in a framed view).

1. 1. 1. 1. Requirements and Context

- **Firefox Version**: Version 133 or later (as of early 2026, most users will have a newer version; check via Menu > Help > About Firefox). - **Account Needs**: You'll need an xAI/Grok account (free or SuperGrok/Premium+ subscription) for full access. Logging in within the sidebar will persist if cookies are allowed. - **Limitations**:

 - Only **one** chatbot can be active in the sidebar at a time.
 - Custom providers like Grok load the full web version, so interactions send data directly to xAI (no Mozilla intermediation, preserving Grok's native features like image generation, voice mode if available, or real-time search).
 - Performance may vary; the sidebar uses an embedded view, which could consume more resources than native integrations.
 - Privacy Implications: All queries go straight to the provider's servers. Review xAI's terms for data handling.
 - Persistence: The setting generally survives restarts, but closing/reopening the sidebar or browser resets might occasionally require re-login.

- **Nuances and Edge Cases**:

 - If you're on a free Grok plan, usage quotas apply (higher with SuperGrok).
 - Features like page summarization (highlight text > right-click > AI shortcuts) work if Grok supports context from the main tab.
 - Mobile Firefox does not support this sidebar feature.
 - If the sidebar doesn't appear after setup, ensure it's enabled in settings.

1. 1. 1. 1. Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

1. **Update Firefox (Recommended)**:

  - Go to Menu (three lines) > Help > About Firefox.
  - It will check for updates automatically; install any available.

2. **Access Advanced Preferences**:

  - In the address bar, type `about:config` and press Enter.
  - You'll see the "Proceed with Caution" warning (matching your screenshot).
  - Check the box for "Warn me when I attempt to access these preferences" if desired, then click **Accept the Risk and Continue**.

3. **Configure the Custom Provider for Grok**:

  - In the search bar at the top, type `browser.ml.chat.provider`.
  - If the preference exists, double-click it.
  - If it doesn't exist, click the "+" button to create a new string preference named `browser.ml.chat.provider`.
  - Set the value to: `https://grok.com/` (or `https://grok.x.ai/`—both typically work, but `grok.com` aligns with your screenshot and SuperGrok branding).
  - Click the checkmark or press Enter to save.

4. **Enable and Open the Sidebar**:

  - Go to Menu > Settings (or Preferences) > General tab.
  - Scroll to "Browser Layout" section.
  - Check **Show sidebar** if not already enabled.
  - Close settings.
  - Click the **Sidebar icon** in the toolbar (it looks like a panel; if missing, right-click toolbar > Customize Toolbar > drag it in).
  - In the sidebar, look for the **sparkle/AI chatbot icon** (or it may auto-load the chat interface).

5. **Access and Use Grok**:

  - The sidebar should now load Grok directly.
  - Log in to your xAI account if prompted (for full features like Grok 4 access or higher quotas).
  - Start chatting via the "Ask Grok" input at the bottom.
  - Optional shortcuts: Highlight text on a page > right-click > options like "Summarize," "Explain," etc. (Grok will process based on context).
  - To switch back to a native provider later: Return to `about:config`, clear or change the `browser.ml.chat.provider` value, then select from the dropdown in the sidebar.

1. 1. 1. 1. Troubleshooting and Alternatives

- **If Grok Doesn't Load**:

 - Clear the preference value and restart Firefox.
 - Ensure no extensions block iframes or cookies.
 - Try alternative URLs like `https://x.com/i/grok` if issues persist.

- **Reverting Changes**:

 - Set `browser.ml.chat.provider` to blank, or delete the preference.
 - Native options will reappear in the selector.

- **Alternatives if Native Setup Fails**:

 - **Extensions**: Search Firefox Add-ons for "Grok Sidebar" or similar (e.g., dedicated Grok integrations exist, often free).
 - **PWA Installation**: Visit `grok.com`, click the install icon in the address bar to add as a standalone app window.
 - **Other Browsers**: Edge/Chrome have similar sidebar AI features (e.g., Copilot or extensions) with easier Grok support.

- **Implications for Daily Use**:

 - Great for multitasking (e.g., ask Grok about a webpage without leaving it).
 - Enhances productivity but increases browser resource use.
 - As an experimental feature origin, it may evolve—Mozilla could add official Grok support in future updates.

This method provides the most integrated experience matching your screenshot. If you encounter issues or need clarification on a step, provide more details!

Hi! I'm on a relatively new to me (refurb) desktop computer running Win 10 Pro (64 bit)* and Firefox 143.0.3.

In the past week both Firefox and Win 10 have updated. I don't know what happened, but now when I boot up or reboot, my computer opens to MS Edge. Yuck!

Every single time I have to reinstall Firefox! Once I do that, all is well again. I have all my bookmarks back, etc.

It also keeps changing my "default to Firefox" browser setting, turning it OFF, while I'm using Firefox. I repeatedly have to keep going in and clicking to make FF to the default browser again.

Why is it doing this? How do I stop it?

Anyway, I know I can't delete Edge or uninstall it. How do I shove it back into the black hole it has lived in until now?

Thanks very much in advance for any help offered. :)

KathyOnOBX

• (Nope - computer not eligible to upgrade to Win 11. My processor isn't fast enough, I think.)

I often use the key combination Ctrl+Alt+X in Google Docs when on different devices but it doesn't function properly when instead it brings up the AI sidebar gadget. Removing the sidebar button doesn't really help and it's annoying. So how exactly do I turn off the key combination for the sidebar?

Trying to use the PWA features. Firefox 144.0 and windows 11.

Clicking the "Add to task bar" button, which makes the PWA window, but if I close the windows it removes the PWA app.

If I manually pin the PWA app to the taskbar, it just becomes a generic firefox bookmark. It seems i'm also not getting a windows pop up related to this when looking at video guides.

Unsure whats blocking it if any has seen before

When right-clicking on the Firefox icon in the Windows task bar one can pin entries, which then appear in the "Pinned" section of that menu. The description is taken from the title of the website at that point in time.

I would like to rename one such entry (i.e. change the description). How can I do this? The context menu only contains the options "Open" and "Unpin from this list".

Hello,

I’m using Firefox together with the "Simple Tab Groups" extension. When I remove the "List All Tabs" button from the toolbar (right-click → “Remove from Toolbar”), it disappears as expected. However, after switching between tab groups in Simple Tab Groups, the button automatically reappears on the toolbar.

Is there a way to completely prevent this button from returning, even in such cases? I would like it to remain removed permanently until I manually restore it.

If there is currently no way to achieve this, is it something that could be expected in future browser updates?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Best regards, Dmitrii

For a while now firefox has been unable to enter fullscreen when pressing F11. Instead all it does is move the "Scroll forwards", "Open a new tab", and "List all tabs" button over slightly (The buttons on the top right, next to the minimize and close buttons).

I don't know what's going on with firefox.

Firefox Version 142.0.1 (64-bit)

I am seriously concerned about the upcoming use of AI in Mozilla Firefox. The only reason I use Firefox is because it is one of the few remaining widely compatible browsers that allow me to switch off any AI features. Generative AI is needlessly wasteful and absolutely pointless. Is there any way to prevent this from being forcibly added to Firefox?

These are technically two separate issues, but both pertain to functionality of the mouse and keyboard. Whenever I right click to bring up the menu, the options (despite being functional) do not appear in the menu proper. Instead there are just empty buttons. In addition, certain hotkeys aren't working at all. Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V to copy paste are doing fine, but Ctrl-T and Ctrl-W to open and close tabs respectively do nothing. Neither of these issues were happening yesterday.

Hi All,

I would like to remove the first item from the Tab Context Menu, which is "Add Tab to New Group", and simply have "Reload Tab" as the first menu item.

I was using this code, which worked in FF 145, until the latest update (FF 147)...

#context_openANewTab,
#context_moveTabToNewGroup,
#context_moveTabToGroup,
#context_ungroupTab + menuseparator {
   display: none !important;
}

However, now there is an extra separator line at the top of the menu (see attached images).

This code also removes the top menu item, but still leaves the separator line on top:

#tabContextMenu #context_moveTabToNewGroup {
  display: none !important;
}

Is there a way to remove the first menu item without adding the separator line?

Thanks!

I operate with several to many windows open (and many tabs). Firefox (Mac) used to list the open Windows in the Window menu in the order I originally created/opened each window. A while back, FF started sorting – and re-sorting! – the list of open windows alphabetically according to the Tab that is currently active in each Window. This means that the window appears in different places in the Window menu list according to the name of the Tab. I DO NOT LIKE THAT because the it makes the Window hard to find.

Is there any way to set this to operate the way it used to - keeping the Window list in the order first opened, regardless of which Tab is open?