switching default browsers

[PCNUBY]

how do i switch my default browser from Internet Explorer to Netscape (and vice versa)?

[glc]

To make IE the default, Internet Options, Programs, check the box at the bottom.

To make Netscape default, this is more difficult. Find your PREFS.JS file, open it in a text editor, and add this line:

user_pref("browser.wfe.ignore_def_check", false);

If this doesn't work, you have to go registry diving.

[PCNUBY]

didn't work...so now what do i do?

[PCNUBY]

um..any help would be greatly appreciated

[glc]

what version Netscape?

[PCNUBY]

um..Netscape Communicator 4.61

[glc]

prefs.js editing doesnt work with that version - I know it can be done in the registry but I can't find any references to it.

[mantapc]

If you go into IE and remove the "use as defualt" command (click it off) then open up Netscape, it should prompt you if you want to use it as the default browser.

[PCNUBY]

where do i find that command?

[mantapc]

Right click on internet explorer icon, click on the programs tab, and then at the bottom you'll see a box with text next to it saying "check here to set IE as default." Un-check it and click OK button

[PCNUBY]

i dont have that option...it says "IE should check to see whether it is the default browser". What version do you have? i've already unchecked that in the past...but i tried checking and unchecking it...still nothing.

[PCNUBY]

can anyone else help?

[castlef]

IE5.5 actually installs a program, which
runs every time you start Windows, that CHANGES THE DEFAULT BROWSER BACK TO
IE!! Without asking!

The only way I could permanently make Netscape my default browser again was to
go into the Registry Editor (c:\windows\regedit), look up this program in the
Windows services key (either
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices]),
and delete it. (I forget what the name of the program was, but I think you
should be able to recognize it as it's in the same directory as IE. If not,
find a computer expert to help you identify the entries.)

[glc]

castlef: If it's in the registry - I don't think that's where it is - the only thing that gets put in there is LOADWC, which doesn't cause that. I'm pretty sure you do have to dig in the registry to get Netscape to pop up the box to make it default again, but it's not in the run keys.

[PCNUBY]

does anyone kno how i can contact netscape so i can maybe ask them how its done?

[archie]

Hey PCNUBY, I think the suggestion by Mantapc should work and it's actually the simplest method. If you do not see the option on the MSIE shortcut, go to Control Panel>Internet Options>on the Programs tab and there should be a place to put a checkmark near the bottom. Make change in MSIE to make Netscape ask again.

[Shikwa]

PCNUBY .. here's another workaround you can try:

1- Start>Settings>Folder Options
2- Click the "File Types" tab
3- Look through the list for internet browser associated files (html, ftp, gopher, etc..), if unsure check below the selected file .. should say: "Opens with: IEXPLORE"
4- Double click such files (or select and click "edit")
5- Select "edit" from the window that appears
6- Where it says "Application used to perform action" replace the current entry with the path for you Netscape executable (an easy way to get this is by right clicking the Netscape shortcut on your Desktop, then click "Properties" and copy the text in the "Target" entry)
7- Do this for all such files you want associated with Netscape
8- As described in previous posts in this thread uncheck "Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser" from IE properties.

That should do it... I actually tried this a while back and as far as I can remember it worked fine for me..

btw .. some genius also decided that JPEGS and GIFS should be opened with IE .. which I find annoying .. especially when I’m browsing and decide to open such a file off my HD and it replaces the web site I’m currently visiting.. you might want to change that too while you’re at it .. I find the Windows "Paint" program quite adequate for my viewing pleasures

[Demosthenes]

Here is Netscape's page on registry settings. I am a long time user of Netscape since Version 1.x and just used IE for the sake of using it. Both really suck, but if you put them both together, I think it would be an excellent browser. Anyway, I found myself in the same trouble as you are and I followed Netscape's "How to make Communicator your default browser" instructions, which is what glc recommended, it worked fine for me. If push comes to shove, just backup your data and reinstall.

Respectfully,

Demosthenes