Windows 7 - How Do I Make Firefox The Default Opener?

Just a note to future helpers for my friend;

1. We tried removing IE8, didn't work.
2. Protocols appear fine.
3. He wants Windows Live Messenger to open hotmail.com in firefox, when you click the inbox button, not IE so don't suggest another E-Mail Client please.
4. Someone donate some mountain dew to me please. :'(

I dont think we really understand what it exacty you are trying/wanting to do.
You dont need any program to open Windows Live mail so why would you want firefox to open it?

Ken

Ok, on Windows Live Messenger (MSN), theres a little email icon on the top left of the page and when i click it...it opens in IE8 but IE8 wont load the page properly...only firefox does. SO i have to open a new window and go to hotmail.com to see them, im trying to get Firefox to open it when i try click on the email tab on MSN!!!

here's your answer: Open Hotmail with Firefox from Windows Live Messenger » Raymond.CC Blog

make rep payable to andythecurefan, thanks.

Can we just clarify what is going down here?
Windows Live Mail, is, as I understand it, a standalone mail program under the "Live" banner as opposed to Windows Live "Hotmail" which is browser based.
If Johnny1000 is talking about Windows Live Mail, why is there even an issue about opening a browser? - unless its about opening a link within an email and having FF open that link.

Gotta say uninstalling Internet Explorer to fix this issue is way overkill and just not a considered solution. More likely is "set your default programs" in Control Panel or Associate a File Type. But more info will certainly lead to a solution. May just be a preference within Windows Live Mail.

And I sorta disagree: Firefox, is for me my "email program". I use Gmail exclusively and haven't installed Thunderbird in ages. I do have Outlook but I don't have it configured with my accounts. For many people this is now the norm. Don't miss any email program in the least!

(andythecurefan's reply came while I was posting, I've looked at it but have reservations - for a start Messenger opens Hotmail in Firefox just fine as long as your default programs and file types are set up correctly I didnt even need to fiddle with them!)

Actually he (johny1000) has Windows Live 'Messenger' and when he gets an email, the messenger notifies him of that and allows him to go to his inbox (web based inbox) which auto-opens with IE for some odd reason, if you remove IE from Windows 7 completely it doesn't do anything. Meaning it wont even open the email via Messenger.

Hope thats clear enough.

DarkNovaGundam: got it, thanx. Johnny2000 may have this fixed by now with the bits of software suggested. But I don't see him so who knows?

Anyway, I just checked my WLM and it opens my hotmail in Firefox just fine - so I suspect my original suggestions might be valid ("set your default programs" in Control Panel or Associate a File Type).

Yes oddly enough it works for me too, without modification, though for Johny it doesn't.

POST JOHNY POST! (I'm grabbing him for us)

He shall post shortly

Downloaded Stuffplug 3 and it works, thanks guys, gave you all reps!!!

Good one Johnny, I wonder what Stuffplug does?
Shouldn't be an issue - maybe something about the order in which things are installed coz it seems most of us aren't experiencing this.
Anyway glad you got a fix - I actually have a program which refuses to open anything but IE - can't even remember which one it is. Think its hard coded into that program tho.