Email hyperlinks opening up in IE instead of Firefox

sir gerald · 25th August 2005

I'm using Windows XP, Outlook Express Ver. 6 and Firefox 1.06.

I can't figure out how to configure things so that when I click on a link included in an email, it opens up in Firefox.
Currently they all open up in IE.

Firefox is checked as my default browser under ...

Tools | General | Default Browser

**Ramona** · 25th August 2005

sir gerald,

Open Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | File Types
Firefox should be the application selected for these file types:
URL:File Transfer Protocol
URL:Gopher Protocol
URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol
URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy

If not, then edit, and select Firefox.

In "Internet Options" make sure that the box does not have a check for "IE should check to see whether it is the default browser.

In Windows XP: go to "Set Program Access and Defaults", "Custom" pull down and click on Firefox as the 'default browser' - make sure Firefox is completely closed when selecting this setting.

Check this Registry Key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\http\Shell\open\command
Is Firefox listed as the application to open http files?

sir gerald · 26th August 2005

Hi Ramona, I tried what you suggested and had these problems ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramona

Open Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | File Types
Firefox should be the application selected for these file types:
URL:File Transfer Protocol
URL:Gopher Protocol
URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol
URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy

If not, then edit, and select Firefox.

None of these files types are listed under
Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | File Types

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramona

In Windows XP: go to "Set Program Access and Defaults", "Custom" pull down and click on Firefox as the 'default browser' - make sure Firefox is completely closed when selecting this setting.

I can't figure this one out.
How do I to go to "Set Program Access and Defaults" ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramona

Check this Registry Key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\http\Shell\open\command
Is Firefox listed as the application to open http files?

under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\http\Shell\open ... command isn't listed.
The only thing under \open is ddeexec\Application and ddeexec\Topic

thanks

~

**Ramona** · 26th August 2005

sir gerald,

If the file types aren't listed, then perhaps this is a Windows 98/XP difference. I run 98SE, so I'm not that familiar with XP.

To find the "Set Program Access and Defaults", see this Screen Shot.

Once you enable these settings, then hopefully the setting will be added to the Registry. Reboot the PC once you have done this.

What was the setting in Internet Options for IE? Was the setting for IE to check to see if it was the default browser enabled?

**Westside** · 26th August 2005

You look under (NONE) for extentions. I have all the items in my File Types pointing to Firefox.
I don't think that it is necessary to do anything with Program defaults and access.
Most likely, the problem is in the IE settings.
I checked mail in OE, and it opened, instantly, in the present browser, which happens to be a firefox nightly, and not default, but, is driven by firefox.exe, nevertheless.

sir gerald · 26th August 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramona

To find the "Set Program Access and Defaults", see this Screen Shot.

The original setting for default Web Browser was "Use my current Web Browser".
When I change it to Firefox, a message comes up saying it's setting Firefox as my default browser ... but it doesn't actually do it.
When I go back and look at it again, it's still set to "Use my current Web Browser".

I even unchecked the box "Enable access to this program" next to IE, but it's still being uncooperative.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramona

What was the setting in Internet Options for IE? Was the setting for IE to check to see if it was the default browser enabled?

No, the box was not checked.

~

sir gerald · 26th August 2005

West ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westside

You look under (NONE) for extentions. I have all the items in my File Types pointing to Firefox.
I don't think that it is necessary to do anything with Program defaults and access.
Most likely, the problem is in the IE settings.
I checked mail in OE, and it opened, instantly, in the present browser, which happens to be a firefox nightly, and not default, but, is driven by firefox.exe, nevertheless.

There are several listing that have (NONE) next to them.
Drive
Folder
File Folder
Internet Shortcut

Which one do I want to look at and what am I looking for ?
There are "actions" listed ...

open
print
printto

... but there's nothing here to allow me to select a default browser.

~

**Westside** · 26th August 2005

I am not even going to try a screen capture, although I sent one to Ramona.
She mentioned the protocols which should be used by Firefox. The items which you mention are irrelevant. You have to go quite a way down in the NONE list to find what you need. It is impossible that you do not have those lines, because URL: HyperText Transfer Protocol means HTTP, so you would have no control on website (it may be true, but you should check).
As a hint look for Speed Dial, then go further down.

**Ramona** · 27th August 2005

sir gerald,

See this Screen Shot

sir gerald · 30th August 2005

West ... Ramona

I'm still working on this.
I'll post back when I've got it working ... or if I've got anymore questions.

thanks

**Ramona** · 30th August 2005

Topics on MozillaZine which Members may find of interest:

Microsoft SEC Filing Acknowledges Mozilla Threat

UK Department for Work and Pensions to Support Mozilla Firefox

Java Embedding Plugin Included in Mac Mozilla Firefox and Camino

Plans for Mozilla Firefox 1.5 Release Posted

Looking good for Firefox!

sir gerald · 6th September 2005

Thanks for your help West and Ramona

I never did figure this one out.
I guess this is just one of those little idiosyncrasies I'll have to live with.
My computer has several ... and she gets worse the older she gets.