I updated to Firefox 2.0.0.2 after which I was able to make Firefox the
default choice for URL:HyperText and other protocols using Control Panel >
Default Programs > Set your default programs.

Barney

"Barney Katz" <MSnews2005.mykids@neverbox.com> wrote in message
news:OFm$d5CTHHA.996@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> The Vista installation program hijacked many file type and protocol
> associations and replaced them with Microsoft programs. I've managed to
> change most of them back to the programs I prefer by using Control Panel >
> Default Programs > Associate a File Type or Protocol with a Program but a
> few remain because I can't determine how to make the switch. For example,
> the default choice for URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol is now Internet
> Explorer but when I click Change Program ... to switch to Mozilla Firefox,
> the only choice available is Opera and there's no method to select other
> programs. The situation is the same for many other protocols such as FTP
> or HTTPS where Opera is the only alternative.
>
> How do I select Firefox or other programs to be the default?
>
> In fact, the entire process for making these switches is incredibly
> confusing because 3 choices are available where only 1 should be needed:
>
> 1. Set your Default Programs 2. Associate a File Type or Protocol with a
> Program 3. Set Program Access and Computer Defaults
>
> The third choice above is divided into 3 more sections to make the matter
> even more confusing! The first choice above won't work either because in
> the Internet Explorer section, protocols like HTTP are grayed out and
> can't be changed.
>
> If Microsoft's goal here is to make switches as difficult as possible,
> they have certainly succeeded. As far as I'm concerned, whoever designed
> this section of the Control Panel should never be allowed near a computer
> again!
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