How to Change the Computer's Default Browser

Your computer's default browser is the one it will automatically use to access Web pages if a separate browser is not already open. The following instructions apply to Netscape Communicator and Microsoft Internet Explorer, the two most widely used browsers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet Access
• Microsoft Notepad
• Web Browsers

Changing from Netscape to Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Open Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. Pull down the Tools menu and select Internet Options.
3. Select the Programs tab.
4. Click the box next to "Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser" and click OK
5. Close Internet Explorer.
6. Reopen Internet Explorer. A window will appear asking whether you'd like Internet Explorer to be your default browser.
7. Click "Yes" to change your default browser from Netscape to Internet Explorer.

Changing from Microsoft Internet Explorer to Netscape

8. Search for the file "prefs.js" in the directory in which Netscape Communicator is installed on your computer.
9. Open prefs.js in Notepad or another text editor.
10. Look for a line in the document that says "user_pref("browser.wfe.ignore_def_check", true)".
11. Delete the word "true" and type "false" in its place.
12. Save the changes to the document and close it.
13. Start Netscape. A window will appear asking whether you'd like Communicator to be your default browser.
14. Click "Yes" to change your default browser from Internet Explorer to Netscape.

Tips & Warnings

• If the line mentioned above doesn't appear in your prefs.js file, add it to the end of the document.
• Each user profile has its own prefs.js document. If you share Communicator with others, make sure you change only the document associated with your profile.