SUMO community discussions

Windows 10 and Firefox

  1. Hello all! As you may be aware, Windows 10 launches next week, July 29th. This will likely be the largest release of Windows in same time, as it will be offered for free to all users of Windows 7 and 8 for the next year. So unlike previous versions of Windows, where only a few users would upgrade at the time of release and most other users would wait until they replaced their machine to use the new OS. This time around however, we can expect a significant portion of existing users to be upgrading to Windows 10 in the first few weeks/months it is available (similarly to how we see upgrades to new versions of Mac OSX).

    This will bring with it a new set of challenges. While Firefox 39 will run on Windows 10, it is not optimal. There are inconsistencies in the theme, and other bugs that make it a less than ideal experience. Firefox 40 fixes these issues, but will not be released until August 11th. So there will be a roughly 2 week period where Windows 10 is out but Firefox does not fully support it.

    We should be advising users to be patient, as Firefox will support Windows 10 soon. If they would like, they can download Firefox Beta, which has full Windows 10 support.

    The other thing to note is that if you set up Windows 10 using "Express" settings, even after an update install, it will reset your default browser settings. It is also more difficult to change your browser default to something other than Edge. We can expect many users to lose their current default settings, and this will be a common theme in the forum for several months.

    Hello all! As you may be aware, Windows 10 launches next week, July 29th. This will likely be the largest release of Windows in same time, as it will be offered for free to all users of Windows 7 and 8 for the next year. So unlike previous versions of Windows, where only a few users would upgrade at the time of release and most other users would wait until they replaced their machine to use the new OS. This time around however, we can expect a significant portion of existing users to be upgrading to Windows 10 in the first few weeks/months it is available (similarly to how we see upgrades to new versions of Mac OSX). This will bring with it a new set of challenges. While Firefox 39 will run on Windows 10, it is not optimal. There are inconsistencies in the theme, and other bugs that make it a less than ideal experience. Firefox 40 fixes these issues, but will not be released until August 11th. So there will be a roughly 2 week period where Windows 10 is out but Firefox does not fully support it. We should be advising users to be patient, as Firefox will support Windows 10 soon. If they would like, they can download Firefox Beta, which has full Windows 10 support. The other thing to note is that if you set up Windows 10 using "Express" settings, even after an update install, it will reset your default browser settings. It is also more difficult to change your browser default to something other than Edge. We can expect many users to lose their current default settings, and this will be a common theme in the forum for several months.
  2. Tyler Downer said

    The other thing to note is that if you set up Windows 10 using "Express" settings, even after an update install, it will reset your default browser settings. It is also more difficult to change your browser default to something other than Edge. We can expect many users to lose their current default settings, and this will be a common theme in the forum for several months.

    Thanks for the post, Tyler! In this specific case where it is more difficult to change the default to Firefox, what are instructions to do so?

    ''Tyler Downer [[#post-66162|said]]'' <blockquote> The other thing to note is that if you set up Windows 10 using "Express" settings, even after an update install, it will reset your default browser settings. It is also more difficult to change your browser default to something other than Edge. We can expect many users to lose their current default settings, and this will be a common theme in the forum for several months. </blockquote> Thanks for the post, Tyler! In this specific case where it is more difficult to change the default to Firefox, what are instructions to do so?
  3. Andrew said

    In this specific case where it is more difficult to change the default to Firefox, what are instructions to do so?

    Hi Andrew!

    We have an article in progress here: How to change your default browser to Firefox on Windows. We're waiting to add a button that will open up the Windows settings menu. This article is for users who've set Firefox as their default before updating, but got switched to Edge after updating. The text doesn't 'reflect that yet, but it will.

    We're also updating the generic Make Firefox your default browser to include Windows 10 instructions.

    Normally, users can set their default by clicking menu > Options > Make Firefox the default. But this time, clicking that last button will open up the default settings screen, where it takes a couple more clicks and scrolls to find Firefox. We're hoping that the button in the new article will mitigate that.

    ''Andrew [[#post-66167|said]]'' <blockquote> In this specific case where it is more difficult to change the default to Firefox, what are instructions to do so? </blockquote> Hi Andrew! We have an article in progress here: [[Make Firefox your default browser in Windows 10]]. We're waiting to add a button that will open up the Windows settings menu. This article is for users who've set Firefox as their default before updating, but got switched to Edge after updating. The text doesn't 'reflect that yet, but it will. We're also updating the generic [[Make Firefox your default browser]] to include Windows 10 instructions. Normally, users can set their default by clicking menu > Options > Make Firefox the default. But this time, clicking that last button will open up the default settings screen, where it takes a couple more clicks and scrolls to find Firefox. We're hoping that the button in the new article will mitigate that.
  4. With the Windows 10 bugs having been hidden maybe we now need to prioritise the manual solutions.

    With the Windows 10 bugs having been hidden maybe we now need to prioritise the manual solutions.
  5. Joni said

    We're also updating the generic Make Firefox your default browser to include Windows 10 instructions. Normally, users can set their default by clicking menu > Options > Make Firefox the default. But this time, clicking that last button will open up the default settings screen, where it takes a couple more clicks and scrolls to find Firefox.

    Joni, from what I've read, clicking the Firefox menu Options > (General panel) > "Make Default" button to make Firefox the default browser will produce this error message in Firefox 39 or below: I can't confirm this myself but I copied the above image from this blog post on Windows 10 and Firefox by Mozilla developer Jared Wein (who posts as msujaws in the blog). Users will then need to close the error dialog and navigate to Settings > System > Default apps to change the default browser from Microsoft Edge to their preferred browser. Here's a walk-through, using Google Chrome as an example: http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-set-google-chrome-as-default-browser-in-windows-10/

    In Firefox 40, clicking the button to make Firefox the default browser will instead, open the "Default apps" screen in Windows 10 system settings (similar to what happens on Windows 8, as shown here). I'm basing this on the July 19th comment by msujaws in his blog post where he wrote, The first version of Firefox to support this will be Firefox 40, which should be released two weeks or so after the release of Windows 10.

    Hopefully, a Windows 10 user can review the pending revision Joni made to the Make Firefox your default browser article, to update it for Windows 10. Related discussion in this kbforum thread.

    ''Joni [[#post-66173|said]]'' <blockquote> We're also updating the generic [[Make Firefox your default browser]] to include Windows 10 instructions. Normally, users can set their default by clicking menu > Options > Make Firefox the default. But this time, clicking that last button will open up the default settings screen, where it takes a couple more clicks and scrolls to find Firefox. </blockquote> Joni, from what I've read, clicking the Firefox menu Options > (General panel) > "Make Default" button to make Firefox the default browser will produce this error message in Firefox 39 or below: <img src="https://msujaws.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/gotosettings.png"> I can't confirm this myself but I copied the above image from [https://msujaws.wordpress.com/2015/07/18/default-browsers-and-windows-10/ this blog post] on Windows 10 and Firefox by Mozilla developer Jared Wein (who posts as ''msujaws'' in the blog). Users will then need to close the error dialog and navigate to Settings > System > Default apps to change the default browser from Microsoft Edge to their preferred browser. Here's a walk-through, using Google Chrome as an example: http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-set-google-chrome-as-default-browser-in-windows-10/ In Firefox 40, clicking the button to make Firefox the default browser will instead, open the "Default apps" screen in Windows 10 system settings (similar to what happens on Windows 8, as shown [/kb/make-firefox-your-default-browser#firefox:win8:fx39 here]). I'm basing this on the [https://msujaws.wordpress.com/2015/07/18/default-browsers-and-windows-10/comment-page-1/#comment-13700 July 19th comment by msujaws] in his blog post where he wrote, ''The first version of Firefox to support this will be Firefox 40, which should be released two weeks or so after the release of Windows 10.'' Hopefully, a Windows 10 user can review the [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/make-firefox-your-default-browser/history pending revision] Joni made to the [[Make Firefox your default browser]] article, to update it for Windows 10. Related discussion in [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/make-firefox-your-default-browser/discuss/6182 this kbforum thread].

    Ndryshuar nga AliceWyman

  6. John99 said

    With the Windows 10 bugs having been hidden maybe we now need to prioritise the manual solutions.

    Yes, a number of Windows 10-related "default browser" bugs are now hidden. For example, I used to be able to access these two bugs and posted about them in this kbforum thread but I now see an "Acess Denied" message, "You are not authorized to access bug xxxxxxx":

    • Bug 1180904 - Add KB button that can be inserted into articles to trigger default browser UI

    ...which is linked from

    • Bug 1180026 - [tracking] Set Firefox as your default browser in Windows 10

    Maybe the fact that Group: mozilla-employee-confidential was added to bug 1180875 is a clue?

    Here are some Windows 10 default browser bugs that are still viewable:

    • Bug 1167294 - Windows 10 blocks the HTTP handler/default browser application dialog
    • Bug 1172848 - [UX] Provide better instructions for setting the default browser on Windows 10
    • Bug 1175293 - Allow UITour to check and set Firefox as the default browser
    • Bug 1172724 - Windows 10 "Choose default apps" UI to make Firefox the default browser is misleading
    • Bug 1180801 - Replace setDefaultBrowser and isDefaultBrowser with getConfiguration/setConfiguration options
    ''John99 [[#post-66175|said]]'' <blockquote> With the Windows 10 bugs having been hidden maybe we now need to prioritise the manual solutions. </blockquote> Yes, a number of Windows 10-related "default browser" bugs are now hidden. For example, I used to be able to access these two bugs and posted about them in [/en-US/kb/how-change-your-default-browser-windows-10/discuss/6181 this kbforum thread] but I now see an "Acess Denied" message, "You are not authorized to access bug xxxxxxx": *[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1180904 Bug 1180904] - Add KB button that can be inserted into articles to trigger default browser UI ...which is linked from *[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1180026 Bug 1180026] - [tracking] Set Firefox as your default browser in Windows 10 Maybe the fact that ''Group: mozilla-employee-confidential'' was added to [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1180875 bug 1180875] is a clue? Here are some Windows 10 default browser bugs that are still viewable: *[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1167294 Bug 1167294] - Windows 10 blocks the HTTP handler/default browser application dialog *[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1172848 Bug 1172848] - [UX] Provide better instructions for setting the default browser on Windows 10 *[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1175293 Bug 1175293] - Allow UITour to check and set Firefox as the default browser *[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1172724 Bug 1172724] - Windows 10 "Choose default apps" UI to make Firefox the default browser is misleading *[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1180801 Bug 1180801] - Replace setDefaultBrowser and isDefaultBrowser with getConfiguration/setConfiguration options

    Ndryshuar nga AliceWyman

  7. Thanks Alice, Yes I do not see https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1180875

    AliceWyman said

    Maybe the fact that Group: mozilla-employee-confidential was added to bug 1180875 is a clue?

    But whatever is happening

    • Maybe confidential discussions with Microsoft
    • Maybe the options|button could be misused if published
    • Lots of other possibilities

    It would be nice to be kept updated Do we need to think of alternatives ? Or is everything under control and the KB article will be approved tomorrow with a working button.

    Thanks Alice, Yes I do '''not''' see https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1180875 ''AliceWyman [[#post-66199|said]]'' <blockquote> Maybe the fact that ''Group: mozilla-employee-confidential'' was added to [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1180875 bug 1180875] is a clue? </blockquote> But whatever is happening *Maybe confidential discussions with Microsoft * Maybe the options|button could be misused if published * Lots of other possibilities It would be nice to be kept updated Do we need to think of alternatives ? Or is everything under control and the KB article will be approved tomorrow with a working button.
  8. John99 said

    Thanks Alice, Yes I do not see https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1180875

    I DO see that bug .... probably because I added myself to the cc list. See Joni's post on on certain campaign-related bugs (?) being changed to "employee-confidential" in this kbforum thread.

    ''John99 [[#post-66200|said]]'' <blockquote> Thanks Alice, Yes I do '''not''' see https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1180875 </blockquote> I '''DO''' see that bug .... probably because I added myself to the cc list. See Joni's post on on certain campaign-related bugs (?) being changed to "employee-confidential" in [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-change-your-default-browser-windows-10/discuss/6181 this kbforum thread].
  9. Joni said

    We have an article in progress here: How to change your default browser to Firefox on Windows. We're waiting to add a button that will open up the Windows settings menu. This article is for users who've set Firefox as their default before updating, but got switched to Edge after updating. <snip>

    (For the record) Joni started a new thread about localizing this article in the L10n forum: /forums/l10n-forum/711439?last=66210 Windows 10 article - setting a default browser

    ''Joni [[#post-66173|said]]'' <blockquote> We have an article in progress here: [[Make Firefox your default browser in Windows 10]]. We're waiting to add a button that will open up the Windows settings menu. This article is for users who've set Firefox as their default before updating, but got switched to Edge after updating. <snip> </blockquote> (For the record) Joni started a new thread about localizing this article in the L10n forum: [/forums/l10n-forum/711439?last=66210] Windows 10 article - setting a default browser
  10. a number of users are reporting issues with accessing google, youtube, facebook HTTPS sites after updating to windows 10 - apparently that might be related to family safety settings in windows accounts... https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1074967 https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1074991 https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/3f1mmp/almost_any_https_url_returns_with_a_untrusted/ https://input.mozilla.org/dashboard/response/5522031 https://input.mozilla.org/dashboard/response/5521957 https://input.mozilla.org/dashboard/response/5521546
  11. philipp said

    might be related to family safety settings in windows accounts...

    Might be right. The family rubbish uses Microsoft issues CA certs that do not get into Firefox. If my rudimentary understanding is correct the certs are created on the fly based on the admins changes to the access settings. What I do know is the certs have to be manually exported from the windows certificate store and manually imported to Firefox. The walled garden is now about complete. No one using Microsoft family rubbish will use a browser or mail client or any other software that does not integrate into this walled garden.

    ''philipp [[#post-66259|said]]'' <blockquote> might be related to family safety settings in windows accounts... </blockquote> Might be right. The family rubbish uses Microsoft issues CA certs that do not get into Firefox. If my rudimentary understanding is correct the certs are created on the fly based on the admins changes to the access settings. What I do know is the certs have to be manually exported from the windows certificate store and manually imported to Firefox. The walled garden is now about complete. No one using Microsoft family rubbish will use a browser or mail client or any other software that does not integrate into this walled garden.
  12. a number of users are reporting issues with accessing google, youtube, facebook HTTPS sites after updating to windows 10 - apparently that might be related to family safety settings in windows accounts...

    Bug 1189110 - Firefox can't access HTTPS sites on a "Child" account

    "This Connection is Untrusted" error message appears - What to do now includes a note for win10 users. There's also a note shown for win8, which is also affected.

    <blockquote> a number of users are reporting issues with accessing google, youtube, facebook HTTPS sites after updating to windows 10 - apparently that might be related to family safety settings in windows accounts... </blockquote> ''[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1189110 Bug 1189110] - Firefox can't access HTTPS sites on a "Child" account '' [["This Connection is Untrusted" error message appears - What to do]] now includes a note for win10 users. There's also a note shown for win8, which is also affected.
  13. Actually Windows Vista and 7 are also affected.AliceWyman said

    a number of users are reporting issues with accessing google, youtube, facebook HTTPS sites after updating to windows 10 - apparently that might be related to family safety settings in windows accounts...

    Bug 1189110 - Firefox can't access HTTPS sites on a "Child" account

    "This Connection is Untrusted" error message appears - What to do now includes a note for win10 users. There's also a note shown for win8, which is also affected.

    Actually the list of affected version starts with Vista. It is just that it has not been well adopted in earlier versions. See http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/set-up-family-safety#set-up-family-safety=windows-vista

    PC Mag reviewed the product in 2010, so it is not new, it is just that people have started using it with Windows 10 because it is "in their face" it's use will probably either fade or trickle down to Vista and 7

    This is not a Windows 10 specific issue. It is a product compatibility issue. It is shame all those Mozilla pain folk can not recognize that it is not even a windows 10 issue.

    Actually Windows Vista and 7 are also affected.''AliceWyman [[#post-66271|said]]'' <blockquote> <blockquote> a number of users are reporting issues with accessing google, youtube, facebook HTTPS sites after updating to windows 10 - apparently that might be related to family safety settings in windows accounts... </blockquote> ''[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1189110 Bug 1189110] - Firefox can't access HTTPS sites on a "Child" account '' [["This Connection is Untrusted" error message appears - What to do]] now includes a note for win10 users. There's also a note shown for win8, which is also affected. </blockquote> Actually the list of affected version starts with Vista. It is just that it has not been well adopted in earlier versions. See http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/set-up-family-safety#set-up-family-safety=windows-vista PC Mag [http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2373969,00.asp reviewed the product ]in 2010, so it is not new, it is just that people have started using it with Windows 10 because it is "in their face" it's use will probably either fade or trickle down to Vista and 7 This is not a Windows 10 specific issue. It is a product compatibility issue. It is shame all those Mozilla pain folk can not recognize that it is not even a windows 10 issue.
  14. the family safety product didn't always work that way by man-in-the-middling secure connections. this apparently started with the update kb2965142 to win8 users mid-last year:

    This update gives parents more flexibility to filter out unsuitable web content and a fuller view of the search terms that their children use on search engines ... Currently, some search engine sites require that web browser connections to their sites use encryption, and this prevents some of these search engine safety features from being implemented. After the Family Safety update is installed, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 users can continue to use these search engine safety features.
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2965142

    back then we also saw a wave reports about this issue by win8 users. now it's a hot topic again, presumably because of the many (previously unaffected) win7 users updating to win10 and receiving this "functionality" as well and maybe because it's a feature in the os that is advertised and easier to discover and some people are just wanting to test it.

    the family safety product didn't always work that way by man-in-the-middling secure connections. this apparently started with the update kb2965142 to win8 users mid-last year: <blockquote>This update gives parents more flexibility to filter out unsuitable web content and a fuller view of the search terms that their children use on search engines ... Currently, some search engine sites require that web browser connections to their sites use encryption, and this prevents some of these search engine safety features from being implemented. After the Family Safety update is installed, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 users can continue to use these search engine safety features. </blockquote> https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2965142 back then we also saw a wave reports about this issue by win8 users. now it's a hot topic again, presumably because of the many (previously unaffected) win7 users updating to win10 and receiving this "functionality" as well and maybe because it's a feature in the os that is advertised and easier to discover and some people are just wanting to test it.
  15. Interesting question for the "How to change your default browser in Windows 10"

    https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1075674

    The op just "Can't make Firefox my default browser in Windows 10"

    let's hope it is the only one

    Interesting question for the "How to change your default browser in Windows 10" https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1075674 The op just "Can't make Firefox my default browser in Windows 10" let's hope it is the only one
  16. Also note

    Also note * '''''Safeguarding Choice and Control Online''''' Chris Beard 30th July <br /> https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2015/07/30/safeguarding-choice-and-control-online/ ** '''''An Open Letter to Microsoft’s CEO: Don’t Roll Back the Clock on Choice and Control''''' https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2015/07/30/an-open-letter-to-microsofts-ceo-dont-roll-back-the-clock-on-choice-and-control/
  17. ideato said

    Interesting question for the "How to change your default browser in Windows 10" https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1075674 The op just "Can't make Firefox my default browser in Windows 10" let's hope it is the only one

    The question title was unclear. He could actually make Firefox the default browser but only Microsoft Edge would access web pages. He fixed it by resetting the network adapter by entering netsh winsock reset at a Command Prompt with Administrative privileges and then restarting Windows, as suggested here: http://www.tenforums.com/network-sharing/10028-internet-connection-only-microsoft-edge.html

    ''ideato [[#post-66289|said]]'' <blockquote> Interesting question for the "How to change your default browser in Windows 10" https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1075674 The op just "Can't make Firefox my default browser in Windows 10" let's hope it is the only one </blockquote> The question title was unclear. He could actually make Firefox the default browser but only Microsoft Edge would access web pages. He fixed it by [http://www.geeksinphoenix.com/blog/post/2015/06/16/how-to-reset-your-network-adapter-in-windows-10.aspx resetting the network adapter] by entering ''netsh winsock reset'' at a [http://www.geeksinphoenix.com/blog/post/2015/06/10/how-to-open-a-command-prompt-with-administrator-privileges-in-windows-10.aspx Command Prompt with Administrative privileges] and then restarting Windows, as suggested here: http://www.tenforums.com/network-sharing/10028-internet-connection-only-microsoft-edge.html
  18. P.S. I think it would be best to refer users to a Windows forum if they report internet connectivity issues in Firefox and other browsers after upgrading to Windows 10 ... for example, http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows (Network & internet) http://www.tenforums.com (Network and Sharing)

    P.S. I think it would be best to refer users to a Windows forum if they report internet connectivity issues in Firefox and other browsers after upgrading to Windows 10 ... for example, http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows ([http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/networking Network & internet]) http://www.tenforums.com ([http://www.tenforums.com/network-sharing Network and Sharing])

    Ndryshuar nga AliceWyman

  19. I was surprised that Chris Beard's blogs *were not reported and any implications discussed on these fora. Although I note it is mentioned in the Sumo Blog.

    I wondered after reading that whether there may have been a Mozilla campaign to educate users and enable them to sort out migration of Firefox on Windows 10 that may include the netsh winsock reset issue.

    I was surprised that Chris Beard's blogs [[#post-66297|*]]were not reported and any implications discussed on these fora. Although I note it is mentioned in the Sumo Blog. I wondered after reading that whether there may have been a Mozilla campaign to educate users and enable them to sort out migration of Firefox on Windows 10 that may include the netsh winsock reset issue.
  20. I note that the reply where we give a solution but direct users to external fora for further support is currently >50 me too votes & >4k views.

    • After upgrade to window 10, cannot access internet from firefox or chrome {/questions/1075112

    That is pretty heavy viewing for our support forum for a question only a week old. It is in fact in a league of its own

    Of course we all know most support answers are found from the Millions of hits on the KB articles, but the KB does not cover this issue.

    I note that the reply where we give a solution but direct users to external fora for further support is currently >50 me too votes & >4k views. * '''''After upgrade to window 10, cannot access internet from firefox or chrome {[/questions/1075112]''''' That is pretty heavy viewing for our support forum for a question only a week old. It is in fact in a league of its own * [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/search/advanced?q=&is_solved=1&num_voted=2&num_votes=50&asked_by=&answered_by=&q_tags=&created=2&created_date=07%2F28%2F2015&updated=0&updated_date=&sortby=0&a=1&w=2 search +50 votes recent] Of course we all know most support answers are found from the Millions of hits on the KB articles, but the KB does not cover this issue.
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