How to run Firefox 2 and 3 together (in Windows at least)

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Installing various versions on the same machine will assist you in developing compatible web pages... honestly :)

Posted by Paul Whitrow, 27th October, 2008 | Permalink

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Firefox 2 and 3 running together!

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Firefox 2 and 3 running together!

This article assumes a default location for your installs.

Firstly, obviously, you need to get the latest version of the new Firefox browser from the Mozilla nightly build location.

Now follow these three easy steps:

1. Open the Firefox User Manager (C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\Firefox User Manager) application and click the button "Create Profile...", then click on the "Next" button (read the info if you want), then enter a name for the new profile in the box provided (I called mine simply FF3, creative huh?). Once you have done that click on the "Finish" button and you new profile will be created. You can now exit the Firefox User Manager.

2. Run the installer you just downloaded.

3. Open the properties box of the newly created Firefox3 (code name Minefield) shortcut (right click on the shortcut and select "Properties"). In the "Target:" box add the following to the existing content: -p FF3 -no-remote (remember to use your own new profile name, mine was FF3).

And there you go.

You should now be able to run Firefox versions 2 and 3 along side each other with no detrimental effects and completely different profiles. If you have any problems, simply read this and try again.

If you want to install some of your old FF addons like the Web developer Toolbar or Firebug for example, then you will run into some compatibility issues. Fortunately there is also an addon called Nightly Tester Tools that will allow you to force install the your favorite addons.

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Posted on Monday 27th October, 2008 at 12:17 pm by Paul Whitrow, and filed under , and

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