I would like Word to open links in Firefox instead of Chrome

[Chiliem]

I would like Word to open links in Firefox instead of Chrome, but I only get two options - no browse button ...

 

[Irene]

I think Firefox would need to be your default browser.

Here is how to make it your default, if you choose to make it so:
Default browser - MozillaZine Knowledge Base

 

[Chiliem]

Firefox already is set as my default browser It appears this problem of the browsing button not appearing only exists with the protocols, listed at the bottom in the same window.

 

[Irene]

Maybe this will help then:
How to Change the File Associations in MS Word 2010 | eHow.com

 

[Chiliem]

Sorry, but that looks like the same answer in other words
The problem is that when clicking the 'mailto' protocol near the bottom of the list (in the window 'Control Panel\Programs\Default Programs\Set Associations'), I don't see a 'Browse...' button as is the case when clicking one of the file extensions above the listed protocols. In case of the 'mailto' protocol there's only Google Chrome and Microsoft Outlook to choose from.

 

[Irene]

When I use the following path, I have the option to change the program for the file type extension:

Control panel / Programs / Make a file type always open a specific program / then select the file extension. On the top right-hand side is a button labelled 'Change', after this point, the recommended programs are listed and a browse button on bottom right. Do you not get this option?
.
.

 

[Slartybart]

Look in Control Panel\Default Programs -> Set Associations
sort your list by Current Default
look for anything associated with chrome
change what you need to firefox

It's probably .url (Internet shortcut) that associates links in Word but I'm not certain.

Did that work?

 

[Chiliem]

As for the extensions: I have no defaults set for Google Chrome. I've taken a look at the program associated with the .url extension and it was 'Internet Browser' (with 'Microsoft Corporation' underneath that). I changed that to Mozilla Firefox and again tried to open a link in Word, hoping this time it would launch Firefox, but it didn't.
The only things I have associated with Google Chrome are two protocols: 'MAILTO' and 'WEBCAL'; none of which I can change - whichever protocol I want to change, I never get a 'Browse...' button as when clicking the extensions.
Compare the left window (when clicking an extension to change it) to the right ( ~ protocol ~)

 

[z3r010]

For how to upload a screenshot or file, read here

 

[Chiliem]

thanks!

 

[Slartybart]

Ok, was this solved and how? I don't think I see THE solution.

 

[Chiliem]

Nope, hit the button prematurely *blush*
Still no solution.

 

[Slartybart]

Ok, I thought that might have been the case. I did read a bit on the subject and there's some concern out there about MS's lock on Word / Internet Shortcuts. This is probably due to unfamiliarity (my case) or limited documentation (also my case). ni haven't used word for many years and I'm checking on an older system.

Check Control Panel\Default Programs
Program access and defaults - change what's obvious or post an image and i''l try to help, but there's reaaly not much there to choose from.
-> probably a custom configuration

also check
set your default programs -
choose FF - set this to be the default
and
make sure FF has all of it's defaults (there should be a select all defaults box on the left side of the dialog)

Close any Office app and reopen - any good?

If i recall, MS Office has it's own special configuration for HyperLinks, but can't find a reference.

 

[Irene]

Could you possibly show an example of the type of link you would like to open in Firefox?

Does 'the link' show any extension?

What happens if you right-click it? - can you see 'Properties' listed at all? If so, look in there for any relevant information.

 

[Chiliem]

Hmm, this is strange. The box next to mailto isn't ticked, yet the e-maillinks I open within a Word document open in Outlook.
By the way; I've temporarily uninstalled Google Chrome. Now, double clicking the MAILTO protocol to choose the associated program, there's only Microsoft Outlook to choose from and still no 'Browse...' button.

 

[Slartybart]

Just to recap:

Control Panel -> Default Programs

Set Associations
.url - you added open with FF

Set Default Pgms
- Selected FF
---> clicked Set this pgm as default
and
---> choose defaults for this pgm, ticked select all

- Set pgm accesss...
---> custom, FF is the default browser selected (it's probably showing "Use my default..." as selected) - make sure by ticking the FF radio button only and ok all the way out.

What version of Office are you running? Probably should have asked that earlier.

 

[Chiliem]

the latest version

 

[Slartybart]

Latest version doesn't really tell me much.

Office 201?

Word 201?

Office Live?

 

[Chiliem]

Sorry, Office 2010 that is

 

[Slartybart]

Thanks, it does help to know the vesion.

No real solution pops out, but a few common sense suggestions did.

Start fresh with regards to browsers.
Uninstall Firefox
Uninstall Chrome
Make sure IE is the default browser
Reboot
Install firefox
Make FF the default
Double check Control Panel Default Programs, but don't change anything yet - just look
Reboot
Try a link in word - IE or FF?

If IE - tell me what the following filetypes point to
.url
.htm
.html
.shtml
.xhtm
.xhtml

--> don't change anything yet - just look
--> they should all point to Firefox

I found a few registry imports, but it isn't clear that they will actually solve the issue for you. I need to research the keys and values before I post them.

If what's in this post (the un/re browser, set FF to default and the filetypes are ok) fixes it, great. I'm curious about the issue and will wait to see how you do.