Question about Firefox as default browser and the registry

[dmhead]

I am removing all links to IE on the desktops, start menus and quicklaunch bars in my company. The only problem I am encountering is that the first time Firefox is opened, it displayes a dialog box asking if the user wants to make Firefox the default browser or not.

Does anone know the registry entry that this dialog box affects, so when I push this out, the end users won't be tempted to say no?


Thanks all!

[KeZZeR]

It should only do it once. You say that you want firefox to be the default browser and make sure you tell it not to check which browser is the default one.

[dmhead]

Hi KeZZeR,

Thanks for the reply.

I apologize. I was not clear in my original post.

I am scripting the install, I will not be at the user's desks to click on the dialog box.

I want to ensure that my end users are never presented with this dialog box.

[hemebond]

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\http\shell\open\ddeexec\Applicationhttp://www.google.com.au/search?q=registry+default+application+browser

[dmhead]

Hi hemebond,

Thanks for the key suggestion. I do already edit that key in my script (I used a pre-configured system as the model). Unfortunately, after making the registry change, Firefox still asks about being the default browser.

Thanks also for the google search. I had already seen most of those pages (first two pages at least) from my own searches, but I do appreciate your assistance.

[sage45]

Is this for an os (microsoft specifically) image?

If so do you use sysprep to finish the image?

I guess what I am trying to find out is if there is anything you run after the install or if the install is being generated to an image...

-sage-

[hemebond]

browser.shell.checkDefaultBrowseror some other about:config setting.

[dmhead]

Hi sage45,

This is for a W2K platform. They have not had an image made of the build. I will certianly be working in that direction, though.

What I have been asked to do is to push this out to the existing users, and ensure that they are not presented with any dialog boxes, or forced to make any choices.

The firefox binaries are on a shared drive, and will not be installed on the local computers. This much is working well already.


Is this for an os (microsoft specifically) image?

If so do you use sysprep to finish the image?

I guess what I am trying to find out is if there is anything you run after the install or if the install is being generated to an image...

-sage-

[sage45]

Ok,

The reason that I ask is when creating a push/automated install or image, you have to take into account that many changes you initiate will be profile specific and as such will not be imported to other users profiles. Many administrators find that they can rectify this issue by importing changes into the Default User profile. However, this will not change settings for profiles and such for existing users on workstations.

For images you can almost always guarantee that all users will have the exact same initial settings, so long as you do import the settings from the user used to create the image into the Default User profile.

One thing to remeber about imaging though is that sysprep (Microsofts System Preparation Utility) will reset some registery keys to default.

The way that I had gotten around both of these problems in the past was by using these two methods:

WSH Scripts and/or batch files, that would runonce upon first system, post-image boot. These would handle system changes needed after the image process, service pack updates, patches, registery changes (for local system, not profile specific), etc. etc.

WSH Scripts and/or batch files, that would runonce as each new users logs into the system, this way when their profile is created any user/profile specific changes could be made.

This, however, can cause problems as users can break out of the process. The other thing is the unfortunate lack of error reporting to the system administrator.

Eventually I got to the point that I started developing a post image application that would do all of these things for me. I would share it, but unfortunately it is still in the development stages.

hth,

-sage-

[dmhead]

sage45,

Thanks for sharing those observations and suggestions. When and if I do eventually create an image, I am sure your insights will be very helpful.


-- In the meantime, does anyone have any thoughts on my OP?

[dmhead]

It looks like the answer to my problem was not in the registry, but in \defaults\pref\firefox.js. There is a line:
pref("browser.shell.checkDefaultBrowser", true);
that I can change to:
pref("browser.shell.checkDefaultBrowser", false);
Normally, I would not be happy with this, as it allows the user to make IE the default browser, and FF would not try to change it back. But since I am removing all shortcuts to IE, most of the users will probably not bother to lookfor, or run IE from a command line.

I do have one more question, if I may:

My question surrounds the dialog box that appears, asking if the user wants to import their IE settings. Is there any way to force this import, without prompting the user?

[sweenster]

most of the users will probably not bother to lookfor, or run IE from a command line.

most users might not run IE from the command prompt but the system may run it automatically.

For example, if you are running MSN messenger and click to view your hotmail inbox, it will open it in IE even if FF is set as default.

[Celtboy]

I think it may be a bad idea to completely remove traces of IE from the users' POV....Unless you also default install the "View this Page in IE" extension...

you never know what kinds of apps they'll HAVE to use IE with.

-Celt