Changing default browser from IE to Firefox- Windows XP

[Puzzled001]

I have both IE and Firefox installed.At present my default browser is IE. Where do I go to change this to Firefox (and back again if wanted) ? I know it's in there but can't find it. I,m a non-techie so plain language please Tia

[dizmouk2009]

Puzzled:

Go to 'start > settings > control panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add / Remove Windows Components (tab on the left had side)' and untick 'Internet Explorer' and click 'next' you can still use Internet Explorer by doing the following:

Just open up a documents folder (any folder) and type the website in the address bar at the top. If there is no address bar just right click with the mouse on the bar that has 'file, edit, etc etc' in (making sure not to actually click on any of the 'words') and click on 'address bar'

Then just type in the address in there. Simmpless.

[dizmouk2009]

That 'disables' Internet Explorer, enable it in the same way. Remember that some programs such as MSN (messenger email link) use IE and may open IE. IE can only be disabled (not deleted) as it is a vital part of Microsoft Windows.

[Puzzled001]

thanks for that, far to involved, I just thought I may be able to switch from one to other at will, without all that palaver. I'll just have to keep switching on the desktop and put up with IE as default.

[squarebear]

To be honest, most people stick with one or the other. Quite why you would want to keep swapping browsers, puzzles me.

[dizmouk2009]

Puzzled: you can, just use them both at once, simples?

[dizmouk2009]

Just go into tools > options and untick "Always check to see if Firefox is the default browser on startup".

[Jumbuck]

Both IE and Firefox include amongst their options checking to see whether or not they are the default browser with the option to do this every time each program is run or not at all.

[Puzzled001]

Hi, all thanks for your replies,in tools>options>programs IE is set as default. I just wondered how you turn that off. I want to use Firefox as default ( as the boys that know recommend) but have certain sites listed in IE that I don't want to move over. I thought that there was a way to be asked when clicking a link which browser you wished to use. Just a thought.

[ChuckFickens]

Strange advice from Diz.

Diz, doing it that way will simply remove the associations with IE, an will leave no default browser set, causing problems when a link is clicked in any other application.

Puzzeld,

in firefox click tools > options, click on the advanced heading at the top and towards the bottom is a section about default browser, put a tick in always check if firefox is the default browser and click check now next to it, click OK when it asks if you want to make it the default browser.

[Puzzled001]

Many Thanks CF that has changed things how I wanted it, Firefox as default but still access to IE. Simple when you know how! , I think i'm just the'simple' Thanks again.

[Jumbuck]

You could always use the Firefox add-on IE View https://addons.mozill...n-US/firefox/addon/35

As it says there "Lets you load pages in IE with a single right-click, or mark certain sites to *always* load in IE."