I've got a queston about Firefox

[TheCowsCameHome]

I was fooling around with the 'puter and decided to check into installing Firefox.

After a few steps the question became "do you want to install Firefox as your default browser?" or something to that effect. I hesitated and closed it out.

By doing that, what happens to my IE? I'm overly cautious about messing with setting stuff that I'm unfamiliar with. And if I install Firefox does IE just hang around unless I choose to call it up?

Right now I click on IE and that starts me off every session. Is that the same for Firefox?

Thanks for any help.

[crispini]

1. Your IE won't go away until you uninstall it.

You're safe installing Firefox :hi:

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. OK, I'll probably just leave it there, Next question:

The favorites sites I have bookmarked in my IE - what happens to them? Can they be transfered easily?

[crispini]

5. When you install firefox

it will ask you if you want to copy your bookmarks over. IE will still have them, Firefox will just make a copy.

[Angleae]

6. You can't uninstall IE (except perhaps on a mac)

It will always be there, just not automatically linked to files/URLs but it can always be called up.

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. By "just being there" does that mean it does nothing unless specifically called up?

Gawd, I feel so stupid sometimes....sorry.

[Angleae]

14. No, IE is your GUI/shell.

Every window (folder/hard drive) is actually IE, you can use it to go to any internet site.

[jobycom]

21. That's true, but given what the OP seems to be worried about

they can get rid of IE as an option for Internet access.

[jobycom]

17. Yes. But you can uninstall it, if you want.

In "Add or Remove Programs" there is a button to the left that lets you Remove Windows Components. You can uninstall IE there.

Basically, though, if you make Firefox your default browser, nothing really changes. You can open either or both any time you want by clicking on them. The only difference will be when you open a window through another source, like clicking on a link in an email or using an install program that opens an Internet window. That will use your default browser.

I've got both on mine, and use them both for different things. I used to have a couple of others, but never used them, so I uninstalled them.

[TheCowsCameHome]

23. OK, so IE sort of becomes the donut spare in the trunk.

Generally out of play, but there if I opt to use it.

[Angleae]

31. That only removes the desktop icon.

It's still there and active in every window. If you don't have an address bar present in a window, click view/toolbars/address bar, you may have to click view/toolbars/lock the toolbars and/or drag the address bar to a visable point, then just type in an internet address, instant IE.

[jobycom]

34. Maybe so, but that seems more like what the OP is after. nt

[crimsonblue]

22. Um, yes it can be deleted.

You just have to have knowledge of computers.

[Angleae]

32. I do have knowledge of computers

You can delete OE easily enough, IE has to stay or your shell goes bye-bye (IE is the shell). Is there a replacement shell for anything other than Win98?

[Call Me Wesley]

2. The default browser setting just means

that if you're clicking on a link from your email or other non-browser related sources (word file, PDF, etc.), it starts the 'default' one. That's all. But yes, go for Firefox. ;)

[crimsonblue]

4. by making Firefox the default

all that means is that links opened in emails and such will open in Firefox. I suggest you delete IE, as it is a worthless, horrible, virus and spyware filled piece of shit.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

7. I wouldn't actually delete it. That can screw up other apps. Just don't launch it.

[crimsonblue]

9. How would deleting IE possibly screw up other apps?

It wouldn't. It's a bit dense to say otherwise.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

11. For starters, deleting it can screw up Windows Updates.

If you're using Windows 95 you might be able to delete IE without harming anything but its so ingrained with the later operating systems it's not worth the hassle of getting rid of it.

[TheCowsCameHome]

13. I'm running Windows XP . Perhaps I'll just leave IE in the dugout.

I really don't want to chance getting into a jam.

[crimsonblue]

16. You're crazy.

Back when I still used Windows, I quickly erased IE in favor of Firefox, and never had a problem with Updates. I cannot fathom why ANYBODY would ever want to use IE: it is clearly the worst browser available.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

20. OK, Angleae and I are crazy.

[DarkTirade]

26. It's integrated into Windows, and a lot of programs will use it to display HTML stuff embedded in

another window. And its fairly well entangled into the OS as far as connecting to the internet. Only thing I've ever used it for is to go to mozilla.com and download a decent browser, but I still don't want to try and uninstall it.

[FloridaJudy]

10. Some sites won't allow you to use Firefox

I keep IE around for those, but rarely use it for anything else.

[crimsonblue]

18. This is extremely rare these days

as PHP protocol and website design is becoming uniform. 99% of any site you would ever want to visit is accessible via Firefox or Safari.

[FloridaJudy]

25. Netflix won't let you watch instant movies

With Firefox. There are also some on-line tax preparation companies that won't allow you to use it. And my former employer's HR department. These days I use IE for Netflix and nothing else. I'm sure the HR thing was due to a scam perpetuated on Florida State Employees by a private contractor - thanks a lot, Jeb. That whole thing was FUBAR.

[crimsonblue]

27. That's not true.

I checked, and I got a movie to start with Firefox on my mac.

[FloridaJudy]

29. Not on my PC

"Your current Internet browser is not compatible with watching instantly on your PC. Please use Internet Explorer, version 6 or later, whenever you wish to watch instantly on your computer screen. Note that your current Internet browser is fully compatible with adding titles to the Instant Queue for later watching on compatible devices".

I just checked, and that's the message I got.

[crispini]

30. I watched a movie on Firefox with Netfix.

Of course, I had to install Silverlight. :eyes:

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. By "launch" do you mean use it, since Firefox will now be the default browser?

[Gidney N Cloyd]

15. Pretty much. Don't intentionally start it from the icon or the menu.

If you just want to surf, start a different browser.

[TheCowsCameHome]

19. OK, that sounds reasonable.

Thanks.

[jobycom]

33. Actually, it's better than Firefox these days.

I suppose if you don't mind toying endlessly with the settings you might find some esoteric pleasure in using Firefox, but I've got both, I have used both extensively, and I used to use Firefox exclusively. Since IE7 and the latest Firefox, about the only time I use Firefox anymore is to test a site if I'm having trouble with IE, and so far I've never encountered a case where IE was the problem--can't say the same for Firefox. Firefox, like many cult classics, got so pleased with themselves they over-tinkered, and now it's just not as useful.

So, no, IE is a long way from "a worthless, horrible, virus and spyware filled piece of shit." A few years ago it was clearly inferior to Mozilla and Opera, but not true anymore. They've stolen enough from both to make it more usable, and Firefox, while they may not have done it yet, is revving up the boat motor while eyeing the ramp and the shark.

[ElboRuum]

24. Making it the default browser means...

...that any links you run into in applications will open up in Firefox rather than IE, and that any files with browser-capable extensions (such as .htm, .html, etc.) which formerly opened up in IE will open up in Firefox now.

Typically, this is what you want.

If you end up not liking Firefox (which I highly doubt, but it happens), you can go into IE (will still be available to you), click Tools/Internet Options... one of the tabs should have a section (in IE7 it's the Programs tab) where you can reset the default browser back to IE.

[TheCowsCameHome]

28. I took a peek at the Programs tab - gotcha

Thanks.

Good to know, if needed.