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How can I open Firefox using a specified Profile without it being the default profile?

  • 6 replies
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  • Last reply by firef_fan

firef_fan
firef_fan

I've searched help and community forum, but I cannot find any way to open Firefox using a specific profile other than the default profile. On about:profiles, under the desired profile, there is a button called "Launch profile in new browser," but the browser it opens does not actually have that profile's settings -- it opens a browser with the default profile's settings, and then changing anything in the newly opened browser actually updates the default profile . . . so I must conclude that the button simply opens another browser session in the default profile.

How can I get a browser window in a profile other than the default?

I am using Firefox Quantum, Extended Support Release, 60.6.1esr (32-bit) on Windows 10.

I've searched help and community forum, but I cannot find any way to open Firefox using a specific profile other than the default profile. On about:profiles, under the desired profile, there is a button called "Launch profile in new browser," but the browser it opens does not actually have that profile's settings -- it opens a browser with the default profile's settings, and then changing anything in the newly opened browser actually updates the default profile . . . so I must conclude that the button simply opens another browser session in the default profile. How can I get a browser window in a profile other than the default? I am using Firefox Quantum, Extended Support Release, 60.6.1esr (32-bit) on Windows 10.

Chosen solution

This is done by using the -no-remote command line switch. This is mentioned in the MDN article I posted above.

See also:

Note that you can't open external links in a Firefox instance started with -no-remote

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All Replies (6)

Wesley Branton
Wesley Branton

You would do so using command line options.

You could either use -P "profile_name" or you can use -profile "profile_path" when you launch Firefox.

You do this by appending the command line option to the end of the target value of your Firefox desktop shortcut (since I assume you aren't opening Firefox using the Windows Command Prompt).

Hope this helps.

firef_fan
firef_fan Question owner

Perfect! Thanks, Wesley, I'll give it a try.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator

See also:

firef_fan
firef_fan Question owner

Well, Wesley's answer got me only halfway to where I need to be. The command line option does not work if there is already a Firefox session open for another profile.

Is there a way to have different Firefox sessions open for different profiles simultaneously?

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator

Chosen Solution

This is done by using the -no-remote command line switch. This is mentioned in the MDN article I posted above.

See also:

Note that you can't open external links in a Firefox instance started with -no-remote

firef_fan
firef_fan Question owner

That did the trick! Thank you, cor-el.