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How do I make Firefox 3 my default Web browser?

I downloaded Firefox 3 like many other folk and really like it, but for reasons I don't really understand, when I click on a URL in an email message, it launches Camino, my old browser. How do I make Firefox my default browser?


Dave's Answer:

When Mac OS X first came out, it was surprisingly difficult to change this sort of setting and people wrote all sorts of little utilities to let you access your Internet settings and preferences. Now, fortunately, while it's not easy to find this setting in a System Preference, it is easy to find it in a Web browser.

In fact, just about every modern browser has a spot somewhere in its preferences that lets you specify not only whether you want to have that browser as your default, but whether you want it to keep checking, each time you launch the program.

In Firefox 3, for example, go to Firefox --> Preferences... then choose the "Advanced" tab and the "General" subtab:

firefox preferences advanced general

To change Firefox to the default browser on your Mac, simply click on "Check Now".

Want to ensure that it's always your default browser, not just this one time, then check "Always check to see if Firefox is the default browser on startup".

In Safari, by contrast, it's easier to find, though it looks different. Just go to Safari --> Preferences and then go to the "General" tab, and on the top you'll see:

safari preferences general default

Other browsers (including Camino) have similar settings. And that's all there is to it.


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Categorized: Mac OS X Help   (Article 8135, Written by )
Tagged: default browser settings, firefox, safari, web browsing
Previous: In Firefox 3, can I have more than one home page?
Next: How to have an application be in all Spaces on my Mac?




Reader Comments To Date: 1

david said, on June 30, 2008 8:08 PM:

mine doesnt come up like that it just says change language instead of make it my default bbrowser

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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