Firefox asks to be default browser every time it loads

Question

Every time I load Firefox up, it asks to be the default browser and even though I say yes it happens the next time I start Firefox. It also does the same if I tell it not to ask me. How can I fix this?

EDIT: I have Sophos AV, Windows 7, and Firefox 3.5.2.

Solution 1

You may want to look at "Setting Firefox as the default browser does not work".

Summary:

• Windows XP. menu Start/Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs/Set Program Access and Defaults (left panel)/expand Custom (icon on the right)/"Choose a default Web browser"/Mozilla Firefox

• Windows 7 and Vista. Control Panel/Programs/Set your Default Programs/ etc.

Solution 2

Check to see if Windows is setting your defaults:

For XP:

Start -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs -> Set Program Access and Defaults -> Click Custom down arrow -> Select Firefox

For Vista:

Start -> Default Programs -> Set program access and computer defaults -> Click Custom down arrow -> Choose a default web browser and select Firefox

related: How to change the default browser in Yahoo! Messenger

Solution 3

My Windows Firefox has the following sequence to stop checking for that.

• Tools
  • Options
    • General tab
      • Uncheck "system Defaults" -- always check if default browser

However, if choose not to be asked when prompted, it should save that.

It could be possible that some other tool (AV? Anti-Spyware?) is preventing the change of default browser on your system.

Or, you do not have permissions to write this change (less likely but possible).

Solution 4

Click start then run and type "http://www.google.com" or another address and see what browser opens up.

If it is firefox, I am confused about this problem and if I was you, go in to tools > options and find the option to stop the check on system startup.

If it is another browser, see if you have installed any sort of anti spyware that prevents the default browser from being changed.

View more solutions

Comments

[cust0s]

what OS are you using?

[Jonno_FTW]

I am the admin on this PC and I have been using sophos AV for a while and it was fine then.

[slhck]

Welcome to Super User! It would be nice to include the essential parts of the answer here, and provide the link only for future reference.