Web browsing is becoming a favorite pastime in many households around the world. With the introduction of broadband Internet in recent years, access to the World Wide Web has never been easier. Now you’re just one step away from a library of information, but you need to be safe from nasty software like pop-ups and viruses;

If you need Mozilla Firefox…

What Mozilla says about Mozilla Firefox

“A better web experience

Mozilla Firefox 1.5 has an intuitive interface and blocks viruses, spyware, and pop-up ads. Deliver web pages faster than ever. And it’s easy to install and import your favorites. Packed with useful features like tabbed browsing, Live Bookmarks, and an integrated search bar, Mozilla Firefox will change the way you experience the Web, for the better.”

Other features include:

o Faster browsing

o Automatic updates

o Tabbed browsing

o Improved popup blocker

o Integrated Search

o Greater security

o Delete private data

o Live Scores

Accessibility

o Customize Mozilla Firefox

o Next generation web support

Mozilla Firefox is undoubtedly a very good, safe and convenient alternative to Internet Explorer and in the next few paragraphs I will explain how you can install Mozilla Firefox and describe how to set it as your default Internet browser, replacing Internet Explorer in your Start menu.

OK lets start; First, you’ll need to download Mozilla Firefox if you haven’t already. For those of you who haven’t downloaded Mozilla Firefox yet, I’ve included a link in the authors box at the bottom of this article. Alternatively, you can go to the link below where you can see the original copy of this article and the step-by-step image guide with the Mozilla Firefox link in the top right corner.

Step 1

Installing Mozilla Firefox

Double (left) click Mozilla Firefox Setup.exe (exe is short for executable). This will open the Welcome to Mozilla Firefox settings window. Click next in the settings window.

Step 2

Software License Agreement window

You are now at the software license screen where you must select I accept the terms of the License Agreement. To do this, hover over the white radio button and left-click. You should see a black dot in the area you clicked on. You can now continue with the installation of Mozilla Firefox by clicking the following button at the bottom right of the Software License Agreement window.

Step 3

Configuration Type Window

The installation type window allows you to select a standard installation or a custom installation. In this case, we only require the standard installation of Mozilla Firefox, as it installs all the necessary components you will need to use Mozilla Firefox as your Internet browser. Click Next at the bottom right of the Configuration Type window.

Stage 4

You are now at the Summary window that details the location of the Mozilla Firefox Internet browser on your computer’s hard drive. Clicking the following button at the bottom right of the Summary window will begin the installation procedure. This may take a few minutes depending on the speed of your computer. After the installation is complete, the Installation Complete window is displayed.

Congratulations, you have just installed Mozilla Firefox. Left-clicking the Finish button at the bottom right of the screen will launch Mozilla Firefox for the first time.

Now that we’ve installed Mozilla Firefox, let’s make it your default Internet browser.
Make Mozilla Firefox your default Internet browser

Step 1

properties box

Right click on the Windows start button at the bottom left of your screen. You will see a box appear with a list of items. Don’t worry if your list items don’t match mine, the Properties button is always shown. Look down the list until you find the Properties button and left click on it.

Step 2

Taskbar and Start menu properties window

The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window is now displayed. You will see that the Start menu is already highlighted. To the right of the Start menu is the Personalize button. Left-click the customize button to open the customized Start menu.

Step 3

Customize the Start menu window

As you can see, the Customize Start Menu window has a number of items displayed. We need to focus on the bottom section of the window in the box titled Show in Start Menu. You will see that the top drop down box has Internet Explorer highlighted. To change this to Mozilla Firefox, left-click the down arrow to the right of Internet Explorer. A list of Internet browsers will be displayed. Locate Mozilla Firefox and left click on it. Once you’ve done that, click the OK button at the bottom of the window.

Stage 4

Now we are back to the taskbar and Start menu properties window. At the bottom right of the screen you will notice the Apply button is now highlighted, left click on the Apply button to confirm the switch from Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox. Now click on the OK button and the taskbar and Start menu properties window will be closed.

Congratulations, you have now replaced Internet Explorer with Mozilla Firefox as your default Internet browser. Click the Start button in the left corner of the screen. At the top of the start window, you will see Mozilla Firefox. Well done.

Now that you’ve installed Mozilla Firefox, why not give it a try? Happy browsing!