Try downloading Firefox from Mozilla, run firefox-bin from the folder and see if you have the same issue. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/#product-desktop-release

What's showing in about:policies? policy-templates https://mozilla.github.io/policy-templates/

I have the latest Firefox installed on Linux Mint. But in Firefox privacy settings there is no longer a way to choose browsers. It just says "Firefox is currently your default browser". But every time I do a search, it automatically search with Google. That never never happened until I installed latest Firefox. If Firefox is forcing me to use Google, that why do I need Firefox?? Please explain?

Firefox is a web browser and not a search engine. The Google you are seeing in Firefox is a search engine. You can change what search engine you want to use in the Firefox web browser.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-or-remove-search-engine-firefox https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-custom-search-engine-firefox https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox

Mozilla does not have a search engine of their own.

Try downloading Firefox from Mozilla, run firefox-bin from the folder and see if you have the same issue. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/#product-desktop-release What's showing in about:policies? policy-templates https://mozilla.github.io/policy-templates/

Thanks much for helpful reply! I downloaded FireFox as you suggested. Still the same. It says FireFox is default browser. no other choice in settings anymore. I chose Duck Duck Go in the search bar, but it always reverts back to Google on the next search.

I still don't understand. How is FireFox helping if Google is still involved. I might trust FireFox but why is Google involved? This makes no sense to me. Can someone please explain?

Sounds like you're not aware of who pays the bills for Mozilla. see site report screenshot and do a wee bit of research and you'll see. Remember... Organizations do not make money. CDC, UN, WHO, and the list goes on. Where do you think our tax dollars go? Someone is paying their bills and pulling the strings. I digress...

You have not shown that your setting are inaccessible. See the screenshot from my distro version of Firefox and the options are there. Also try your distro and another(wink wink) via usb live stick to see if Mint is the issue.

openSUSE awaits...  ;-))

Sincerely grateful for all of your help! Yes perhaps Mint has something to do with this anomaly as you have generously suggested. Thanks much. If that is the case, what distro would you recommend? Thanks much for your time

Sorry I’m a bit slow. I think you’ve already recommended opensuse multiple times. I will definitely take your advice. Thanks for your time

Sounds like you're not aware of who pays the bills for Mozilla. see site report screenshot and do a wee bit of research and you'll see. Remember... Organizations do not make money. CDC, UN, WHO, and the list goes on. Where do you think our tax dollars go? Someone is paying their bills and pulling the strings. I digress... You have not shown that your setting are inaccessible. See the screenshot from my distro version of Firefox and the options are there. Also try your distro and another(wink wink) via usb live stick to see if Mint is the issue. openSUSE awaits...  ;-))

I just checked the snapshot of your distribution. That is exactly how mine was for many years! After I downloaded FireFox per your instruction, settings just said “FireFox is not your default browser” with a sad smiley face emoji. When I clicked the box for browser choice, no choices appeared. Instead it just said “FireFox is your default browser” and the checkbox became null.

Sounds like you're not aware of who pays the bills for Mozilla. see site report screenshot and do a wee bit of research and you'll see. Remember... Organizations do not make money. CDC, UN, WHO, and the list goes on. Where do you think our tax dollars go? Someone is paying their bills and pulling the strings. I digress... You have not shown that your setting are inaccessible. See the screenshot from my distro version of Firefox and the options are there. Also try your distro and another(wink wink) via usb live stick to see if Mint is the issue. openSUSE awaits...  ;-))

I’ve been having this whole conversation on my phone because of the google issue. I didn’t notice the snapshot of your settings until just now. After comparing your snapshot to the one I posted above, the problem was glaring at me. You had already answered my question days ago! You’re a genius!

But can you please explain FireFox browser is better than google?

usa104 said

I have the latest Firefox installed on Linux Mint. But in Firefox privacy settings there is no longer a way to choose browsers. It just says "Firefox is currently your default browser". But every time I do a search, it automatically search with Google. That never never happened until I installed latest Firefox. If Firefox is forcing me to use Google, that why do I need Firefox?? Please explain?

Firefox is a web browser and not a search engine. The Google you are seeing in Firefox is a search engine. You can change what search engine you want to use in the Firefox web browser.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-or-remove-search-engine-firefox https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-custom-search-engine-firefox https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox

Mozilla does not have a search engine of their own.

I didn’t understand your response at first. But you were showing me my mistakes. I just didn’t see until now. Thank you for your time