How do I turn OFF FireFox as Default Browser
While there are some things I like about FireFox, I use another browser for the vast majority of my browser use... I'm running Linux, and it seems that FireFox has locked itself in as the default browser... Since I am unable to modify that condition, is my only recourse to uninstall FireFox? Or, am I missing some secret handshake?
All Replies (8)
You can set another browser as the default browser in the OS. Firefox would only set itself as the default browser if you set it via "Settings -> General", so you must have accepted this in the past.
Cor-el, you are quite correct - I did, at one point, use "Settings -> General" to accept FireFox as Default... The reason for my original query is, once one has made that choice, the option to de-select FireFox as default browser is grayed-out and thus UNCHANGEABLE... I believe the only way to potentially remedy this situation is to UNINSTALL FireFox and clear out its files and settings, and re-install... it just seemed a bit cumbersome and heavy-handed, hence the genesis of my original question... It does appear that Mozilla INTENDS that once selected as Default, the decision is irreversible - I was seeking a way to change the default without forcing the cumbersome un/re install process - seems Mozilla is a tad more user UNfriendly than their carefully cultivated image might lead one to believe
Merely uninstalling Firefox can in theory cause issues as that doesn't guarantee that Firefox is cleanly unset as the default browser, so you should set another browser as the default browser to stay on the safe side.
Cor-el, you have raised a rather interesting (and potentially damaging) point... I have, as previously stated, set a different browser as default in the operating system (Debian 4.19.118-2+deb10u1 {2020-06-07} x86_64 GNU/Linux), but the Mozilla version seems to demand that once installed and set as default, the default designation is irreversible - I am seeking a means of removing the Mozilla "Default" setting, and I'd rather NOT have to go through an un/re-install process and deal with the potential pitfalls you hint at
If you have installed Firefox from the Mozilla server then you should have full control via "Settings -> General -> Startup". If you use Firefox from the repositories of your distribution then I'm not sure if you can disable this easily and you may have to check the default browser application in the OS settings.
I did install FireFox from the Debian Repositories... Does Mozilla not: (a) use the same version whether with their own servers or the OS-based repositories? And, (b) why supply a version to OS repositories that is crippled and forces permanent "Default" status? I try to keep my distro and the applications I run up-to-date, but NOT bleeding edge (I'm too tired and too old to enjoy troubleshooting beta software these days) And, as previously stated, I have declared another browser as "Default" to the Linux OS... Surely, I am NOT the first/only person to install FireFox, declare it the default browser, and need to "unhook" that selection in favor of another browser... has Mozilla intentionally locked FireFox in that irreversible place with no mechanism to safely and somewhat easily change the default setting?
Debian can and does modify the Firefox version that they supply via their repositories, so it is quite possible that it behaves differently. Debian offers the Firefox ESR version (currently 78.15.0 ESR; next will be 91.3.0 ESR) while the release update channel currently is at 93.0. Most major Linux distributions (Ubuntu) brand their Firefox version.
I only find a setting to 'check' if Firefox is the default browser. I have never selected it but Firefox seems to check regardless. I can set default applications, including a web browser, in my DE settings as well as file associations (which I can order by preference).