Mozilla VPN is currently experiencing an outage. Our team is actively working to resolve the issue. Please check the status page for real-time updates. Thank you for your patience.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Firefox forces itself to be default browser

  • 3 replies
  • 18 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by user734376

more options

When I run Firefox, it makes itself default browser automatically. In the General Options, the check box for "Always check if Firefox is your default browser" is marked and readonly, grayed out, so I can not unmark it. I am on Windows 7, Firefox version: 52.3.0 (32-bit) I tried uninstalling and removing all the related folders then install again. Problem continues.

Looking at Control Panel\Programs\Default Programs\Set Default Programs Before I run Firefox, it says This program has 0 out of 9 defaults. After I run Firefox it says "This program has all its defaults".

When I run Firefox, it makes itself default browser automatically. In the General Options, the check box for "Always check if Firefox is your default browser" is marked and readonly, grayed out, so I can not unmark it. I am on Windows 7, Firefox version: 52.3.0 (32-bit) I tried uninstalling and removing all the related folders then install again. Problem continues. Looking at Control Panel\Programs\Default Programs\Set Default Programs Before I run Firefox, it says This program has 0 out of 9 defaults. After I run Firefox it says "This program has all its defaults".

Chosen solution

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (3)

more options

Have you tried completely uninstalling Firefox, setting your default browser of your choice and installing the newest version of Firefox? That might help you out with the issues.

more options

Chosen Solution

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.

more options

I run Windows 10 and Firefox 57, use ZoneAlarm and Malwarebytes, and my default browser box is grayed out and unchangeable.