Windows – Even though FireFox portable is set as default browser, it doesn’t launch when I press the keyboard key to launch web browser

browserfirefoxkeyboardportablewindows 7

I want to use Firefox portable as my main browser. I noticed when I use the shortcut key built into the keyboard to launch the web browser, something strange happens. A version of Firefox opens up but it doesn't have the same home page and doesn't have add ons that I have added to the portable edition. I checked the control panel and there are no installations of Firefox (which makes sense because the portable edition wouldn't show up there anyways). This is what I mean by keyboard shortcut key
shortcut key circled in red

How can I launch Firefox portable (with all it's normal features and settings) from pressing the button on the keyboard?

This is the keyboard used. I checked the manufacturers website and it doesn't appear to have any drivers.

Here's a picture: FireFox portable – with all the add ons and proper home page. I can only get this by clicking on the shortcut button.
has add ons

When I press the key built into the keyboard to launch the web browser this loads, and all the settings are different

missing addons

I noticed that if I already have FireFox portable open and press the key on the keyboard to launch the default web browser, than a new FireFox portable window opens that has all the right settings and add ons.

Best Answer

  1. Download registerfp.zip and save to Desktop.
  2. Unzip the archive and extract the contents to a folder.
  3. Double-click the file RegisterFirefoxPortable.exe to run it
  4. When you see the User Account Control dialog, click Allow
  5. Click the Browse button and locate the Firefox Portable executable!
  6. Click Register
  7. This is all, firefox Portable has been set as your default browser.. ;-)

Remember: This will work great as long as the drive with Portable Apps (Firefox Portable) is connected with your laptop or computer...

EDIT: @Celeritas: well for me it's working just fine, if the account you're using in windows is guest or other restricted account then You will need to have more rights to do this. full administrator rights should get this to work, right click the extracted executable found in the zip file, and click in the menu something like "as Administrator" make sure the path to firefox portable is the correct path, it should be something like: ?:\????????\portable installs\Portable Apps\PortableApps\FirefoxPortable\FirefoxPortable.exe Where "?" is a part of your path to firefox portable in most cases it's a removable drive.. Only not working if Outlook 2013 and ZoneAlarm, Advanced System Care and other browser protection software can protect your current settings and protect your default browser settings, if installed on your system. You could try to close all outlook and other processes that protect your current settings and retry after it may be working when you're able to find out what exactly is blocking your order to make changes to default browser settings eg anti virus/anti spyware firewall etc if so you need to change in the program that protect your settings as well... I hope this will help you to the right direction, good luck hope this comment was able to help you out

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