Really strange IE/Firefox file type association problem

dpmccabe · 08-05-2005, 07:30 PM

(You can try this yourself if Firefox is your default browser. Go ahead--it's mildly entertaining)

So Windows XP allows you to have a "Links" toolbar on your tasbar (which is created from the links folder in your IE favorites).

The IE Links folder is really a set of Internet Shortcut files in C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Favorites\Links

I have Firefox set as my default browser and if I open this folder and double-click on one of these shortcuts, it does open in Firefox. However, if I enable the Links toolbar on the Windows taskbar, opening a link still opens it in IE for some bizarre reason.

You can't right-click an Internet Shortcut file and choose "Open With" because it's just not there. So I went into Folder Options and the "Internet Shortcut" file type has the "change" button (to change the default application with which to open it) grayed out. I tried going into the advanced settings and changing the open application from rundll32.exe to firefox.exe. Links still open in IE from the toolbar.

To test if this is something strange with the Links folder, I even made a new folder on my desktop, put a couple internet shortcuts in, and added the folder as a new toolbar to the taskbar. Amazingly, they open in IE even though they open in Firefox when opening the files from Windows Explorer.

Now here's the really strange part. Up until this point, the toolbar I've added doesn't actually display any bookmarks directly--just a toolbar title and a drop-down arrow, from which you can access your links. If I expand this toolbar so that some of the actual links are shown directly on the toolbar, clicking on one of these links opens it in Firefox! The ones that are beyond the end of the toolbar and accessible only through the drop-down arrow still open in IE, of course.

I'm thinking some Widnows registry hacking would be necessary to fix this "bug". Does anyone know how to do this? Alternatively, is there some way to get my Firefox bookmarks to display as a toolbar on my Start menu? Firefox stores the bookmarks as an html file, not a folder, so I'm guessing this might be difficult. All I want is access to my bookmarks without having to open a Firefox window first.

martt · 08-06-2005, 01:15 AM

I have gone through the steps described and have found that, in all cases, shortcuts always open Firefox. The only peculiarity is that icons in the Taskbar's 'Links toolbar' have IE icons rather than Firefox ones. This doesn't stop them opening in Firefox though.

So it seems that there must be a default in need of setting somewhere. Have a read of this page to see if it helps:

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Setting_Your_Default_Browser

Note that at the top of the page a third party utility is mentioned. The link ultimately leads here:

http://www.pc-tools.net/win32/setbrowser/

Firefox isn't specifically mentioned in the options (see the screenshot) but it looks possible to browse to it. If Mozilla has linked to it, it seems it would be OK for the job.

EDIT Another thing you could try (if not done already) is to set IE as the default and then set it back to Firefox again. Perhaps that might reset/set associations.

dpmccabe · 08-07-2005, 09:48 PM

The problem only occurs when you have the toolbar at the top of your screen (not on the taskbar) and only when you have to click the pull-down menu to get to the links.

I'm currently working with Microsoft on a solution.

martt · 08-07-2005, 11:47 PM

Ah yes ...I see what you mean. If the Links Toolbar is attached to the Taskbar, links inside sub-folders open in Firefox. It's only when the Links Toolbar is seperated from the Taskbar, to either the Desktop or top of the screen, that those links open in IE (as shown in this screen capture). Links not in a folder open in Firefox. Perhaps described or experienced a little differently but talking about the same thing?

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boots44/ftg/links.jpg

As you say, strange. I don't use that way of opening bookmarks in Firefox. I'd be looking for a reason for that behaviour if I did. If I come across an answer, I'll let you know.

martt · 08-08-2005, 03:05 AM

Just thinking further. In a way, I suppose it's a little surprising any URL shortcuts in that location open in Firefox. Since 'Favorites' is an IE only term, a folder with that name could very much be associated to just IE. Yet Firefox can open some links in there, even if it can't change the icons to FF ones.

Ultimately, it may just turn out to be something that the OS that can't handle. Perhaps something to do with the fact that IE and its associated folders are so embedded into the OS. It'll be interesting to see if anything can be done.

I don't know how much you have tried to customise Firefox but it is possible to set up a handy layout for your most used bookmarks/favorites. Perhaps something like this (link below) would do if you can't get the Links Toolbar behaving as you'd like and don't mind opening Firefox first:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boots44/ftg/fftoolbar.jpg

captaingavin · 02-28-2006, 12:57 PM

Hi!
This is my first post, unfortunately one that is not a solution.
However I am in the same situation. I have restructred my Toolbar so that the important links are showing (which your forum helped with) - but has anyone found a solution to this problem since the last post?

dpmccabe · 02-28-2006, 07:39 PM

I opened a support case with Microsoft some time ago and they gave me the runaround. I wouldn't bother trying to fix this. I did everything I could short of messing with the registry to get it to work and I never did. Here's Microsoft's response:

CASE_ID_NUM: SRZ050806000549
MESSAGE:
********************** The message for you follows ************************

Dear Devin,

This is Claire from Microsoft Windows Online Support.

Let us continue working on the Links Toolbar issue.

Since IE works properly and this issue occurs only with FireFox, therefore, this issue can be caused by some conflicts between FireFox and Windows XP.

I appreciate your feedback and I have forwarded it to our Product Group.

Meanwhile, you are also welcome to add your feedback to a specific product at http://register.microsoft.com/mswish/suggestion.asp or send emails to mailto:mswish@microsoft.com. I believe this will help to make sure our customers continue to enjoy Microsoft's products and services.

At this time, I would like to close this case as Not-resolved. This case will be closed as non-decrement with no charge. We will not count this incident against your pool of support incidents.

Please be assured that I am always here ready to help. If there is any update on this issue, I will inform you right away.

My goal is that you feel 100% satisfied with my overall service. If you have any suggestions or comments on the service provided or our products, feel free to contact us at: http://support.microsoft.com/support/webresponse.asp. We always strive to keep improving our service level by encouraging cus
tomer feedback.

Again, thank you for using Microsoft Online Support Service.

Best Regards,

Claire Ding

xx@mssupport.microsoft.com
Microsoft Windows Support Professional
---------------------------------------
Satisfied Customers are my #1 priority!

08-05-2005, 07:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
dpmccabe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP/Linux	Really strange IE/Firefox file type association problem (You can try this yourself if Firefox is your default browser. Go ahead--it's mildly entertaining) So Windows XP allows you to have a "Links" toolbar on your tasbar (which is created from the links folder in your IE favorites). The IE Links folder is really a set of Internet Shortcut files in C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Favorites\Links I have Firefox set as my default browser and if I open this folder and double-click on one of these shortcuts, it does open in Firefox. However, if I enable the Links toolbar on the Windows taskbar, opening a link still opens it in IE for some bizarre reason. You can't right-click an Internet Shortcut file and choose "Open With" because it's just not there. So I went into Folder Options and the "Internet Shortcut" file type has the "change" button (to change the default application with which to open it) grayed out. I tried going into the advanced settings and changing the open application from rundll32.exe to firefox.exe. Links still open in IE from the toolbar. To test if this is something strange with the Links folder, I even made a new folder on my desktop, put a couple internet shortcuts in, and added the folder as a new toolbar to the taskbar. Amazingly, they open in IE even though they open in Firefox when opening the files from Windows Explorer. Now here's the really strange part. Up until this point, the toolbar I've added doesn't actually display any bookmarks directly--just a toolbar title and a drop-down arrow, from which you can access your links. If I expand this toolbar so that some of the actual links are shown directly on the toolbar, clicking on one of these links opens it in Firefox! The ones that are beyond the end of the toolbar and accessible only through the drop-down arrow still open in IE, of course. I'm thinking some Widnows registry hacking would be necessary to fix this "bug". Does anyone know how to do this? Alternatively, is there some way to get my Firefox bookmarks to display as a toolbar on my Start menu? Firefox stores the bookmarks as an html file, not a folder, so I'm guessing this might be difficult. All I want is access to my bookmarks without having to open a Firefox window first.

08-06-2005, 01:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
martt Alternative Computing Team Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South of England Posts: 311 OS: XP Pro	I have gone through the steps described and have found that, in all cases, shortcuts always open Firefox. The only peculiarity is that icons in the Taskbar's 'Links toolbar' have IE icons rather than Firefox ones. This doesn't stop them opening in Firefox though. So it seems that there must be a default in need of setting somewhere. Have a read of this page to see if it helps: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Setting_Your_Default_Browser Note that at the top of the page a third party utility is mentioned. The link ultimately leads here: http://www.pc-tools.net/win32/setbrowser/ Firefox isn't specifically mentioned in the options (see the screenshot) but it looks possible to browse to it. If Mozilla has linked to it, it seems it would be OK for the job. EDIT Another thing you could try (if not done already) is to set IE as the default and then set it back to Firefox again. Perhaps that might reset/set associations. Last edited by martt : 08-06-2005 at 01:30 AM.

08-07-2005, 11:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
martt Alternative Computing Team Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South of England Posts: 311 OS: XP Pro	Ah yes ...I see what you mean. If the Links Toolbar is attached to the Taskbar, links inside sub-folders open in Firefox. It's only when the Links Toolbar is seperated from the Taskbar, to either the Desktop or top of the screen, that those links open in IE (as shown in this screen capture). Links not in a folder open in Firefox. Perhaps described or experienced a little differently but talking about the same thing? http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boots44/ftg/links.jpg As you say, strange. I don't use that way of opening bookmarks in Firefox. I'd be looking for a reason for that behaviour if I did. If I come across an answer, I'll let you know. Last edited by martt : 08-07-2005 at 11:58 PM.

02-28-2006, 07:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
dpmccabe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP/Linux	nope I opened a support case with Microsoft some time ago and they gave me the runaround. I wouldn't bother trying to fix this. I did everything I could short of messing with the registry to get it to work and I never did. Here's Microsoft's response: CASE_ID_NUM: SRZ050806000549 MESSAGE: ******************** The message for you follows ********************** Dear Devin, This is Claire from Microsoft Windows Online Support. Let us continue working on the Links Toolbar issue. Since IE works properly and this issue occurs only with FireFox, therefore, this issue can be caused by some conflicts between FireFox and Windows XP. I appreciate your feedback and I have forwarded it to our Product Group. Meanwhile, you are also welcome to add your feedback to a specific product at http://register.microsoft.com/mswish/suggestion.asp or send emails to mailto:mswish@microsoft.com. I believe this will help to make sure our customers continue to enjoy Microsoft's products and services. At this time, I would like to close this case as Not-resolved. This case will be closed as non-decrement with no charge. We will not count this incident against your pool of support incidents. Please be assured that I am always here ready to help. If there is any update on this issue, I will inform you right away. My goal is that you feel 100% satisfied with my overall service. If you have any suggestions or comments on the service provided or our products, feel free to contact us at: http://support.microsoft.com/support/webresponse.asp. We always strive to keep improving our service level by encouraging cus tomer feedback. Again, thank you for using Microsoft Online Support Service. Best Regards, Claire Ding xx@mssupport.microsoft.com Microsoft Windows Support Professional --------------------------------------- Satisfied Customers are my #1 priority!

08-07-2005, 09:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
dpmccabe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP/Linux	The problem only occurs when you have the toolbar at the top of your screen (not on the taskbar) and only when you have to click the pull-down menu to get to the links. I'm currently working with Microsoft on a solution.

08-08-2005, 03:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
martt Alternative Computing Team Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South of England Posts: 311 OS: XP Pro	Just thinking further. In a way, I suppose it's a little surprising any URL shortcuts in that location open in Firefox. Since 'Favorites' is an IE only term, a folder with that name could very much be associated to just IE. Yet Firefox can open some links in there, even if it can't change the icons to FF ones. Ultimately, it may just turn out to be something that the OS that can't handle. Perhaps something to do with the fact that IE and its associated folders are so embedded into the OS. It'll be interesting to see if anything can be done. I don't know how much you have tried to customise Firefox but it is possible to set up a handy layout for your most used bookmarks/favorites. Perhaps something like this (link below) would do if you can't get the Links Toolbar behaving as you'd like and don't mind opening Firefox first: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boots44/ftg/fftoolbar.jpg

02-28-2006, 12:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
captaingavin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1 OS: Win XP SP2	Hi! This is my first post, unfortunately one that is not a solution. However I am in the same situation. I have restructred my Toolbar so that the important links are showing (which your forum helped with) - but has anyone found a solution to this problem since the last post?