A recommend Solution to make Librewolf Portable the Standardapp

[solisinvictum]

Hey,

im using Librewolf Portable as my standard Browser.

---

How to use this

1. Download SetDefault.zip instead of using the code below
2. Extract SetDefault.cmd to the same folder as LibreWolfPortable.exe and run it from within that folder.

---

To make Windows to use and set it as Standard, following Text:

set "CHRLAUNCHER_NAME=LibreWolf"
set "CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT=LibreWolf"
set "CHRLAUNCHER_DESCRIPTION=LibreWolf Portable"
set "CHRLAUNCHER_PATH=%~dp0LibreWolf-Portable.exe"
set "CHRLAUNCHER_ICON=\"%CHRLAUNCHER_PATH%\",0"
set "CHRLAUNCHER_ARGS=\"%CHRLAUNCHER_PATH%\" \"%%1\""

		reg add "HKLM\Software\Classes\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%HTML" /v "" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME% Document" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Classes\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%HTML\DefaultIcon" /v "" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_ICON%" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Classes\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%HTML\shell\open\command" /v "" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_ARGS%" /f

		reg add "HKLM\Software\Classes\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /v "" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME% Protocol" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Classes\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /v "EditFlags" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Classes\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /v "FriendlyTypeName" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME% Protocol" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Classes\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /v "URL Protocol" /t REG_SZ /d "" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Classes\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL\DefaultIcon" /v "" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_ICON%" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Classes\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL\shell\open\command" /v "" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_ARGS%" /f

		reg add "HKLM\Software\RegisteredApplications" /v "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%" /t REG_SZ /d "Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities" /f

		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%" /v "" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME%" /f

		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\DefaultIcon" /v "" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_ICON%" /f

		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\shell\open\command" /v "" /t REG_SZ /d "\"%CHRLAUNCHER_PATH%\"" /f

		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\InstallInfo" /v "IconsVisible" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f

		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities" /v "ApplicationIcon" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_ICON%" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities" /v "ApplicationName" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME%" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities" /v "ApplicationDescription" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_DESCRIPTION%" /f

		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\FileAssociations" /v ".htm" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%HTML" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\FileAssociations" /v ".html" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%HTML" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\FileAssociations" /v ".pdf" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%HTML" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\FileAssociations" /v ".shtml" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%HTML" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\FileAssociations" /v ".svg" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%HTML" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\FileAssociations" /v ".webp" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%HTML" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\FileAssociations" /v ".xht" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%HTML" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\FileAssociations" /v ".xhtml" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%HTML" /f

		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\StartMenu" /v "StartMenuInternet" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%" /f

		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "ftp" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "http" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "https" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "mailto" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "webcal" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "urn" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "tel" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "smsto" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "sms" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "nntp" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "news" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "mms" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f
		reg add "HKLM\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet\%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v "irc" /t REG_SZ /d "%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%URL" /f

		%windir%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.DefaultPrograms /page pageDefaultProgram\pageAdvancedSettings?pszAppName=%CHRLAUNCHER_NAME_SHORT%

saved as librewolf.bat for example in the same path where librewolf-portable.exe is.

Running this as Admin, makes it possible to set Librewolf Portable as standard app (Windows 10 and latest 11 tested).

Got the Idea from: https://github.com/henrypp/chrlauncher/blob/master/bin/SetDefaultBrowser.bat

[ltguillaume]

I'm not exactly a fan of this to be honest. If you want to run LibreWolf like that, you might as well just install it. That at least makes sure that the proper registry keys are always set.

You're taking thsi from Chromium Launcher by henrypp. I know it well, and it does not allow for installation, simply because it's meant for portable use only, just like LibreWolf Portable. It makes sense to some extent for chrlauncher, but LibreWolf does have a regular installation process, so I don't see merit in this approach.

That being said, the set of registry keys made by this little script make sense and won't do any harm.

[solisinvictum]

Yep. Good Point.

But there is really a reason (for me) behind that: If you automate your deployment of programs and settings (group policy, what ever), there is no way (none im aware of) to change the behavior of installed librewolf version, to let a user without admin privilege to update the browser. So the user is forced to use a outdated Version of the Browser, because the user dont have admin privilege like mentioned.

On Firefox and Chrome (and most other browser), this problem didnt exist, because they install with the install process a service, wich runs under admin privilege and updates the browser for the user (wich then dont need the privilege).

But Librewolf sadly dont offer a automatic update mechanism. And so no Service wich do it for normal User like mentioned Firefox or Chrome or many others do.

So, if you want to be sure, the user is safe. You must use the Portable Version and your great updater. Both under a user accessable path.

[ltguillaume]

Ok, so you're doing this because you'll then only need admin privileges once. That makes sense.

I do have a question, though (and I'm currently struggling with this in a new version, one that should allow for multiple different portable instances to be run simultaneously): how does LibreWolf Portable, used this way, handle opening URLs when there's already a window opened? Does it open a new window, or just a new tab in the exisitng window (as is desired)?

[solisinvictum]

like you desire/set this in the settings of librewolf. In a new window, or new tab.

For example: I got a email notice of your reply, i clicked on the link in betterbird (a thunderbird fork), and it opened a new tab with this page where i can reply.

Edit:

this solution, dont work for multiple librewolf portable instances/"folder". Then you have duplicate choices under "Standard App Setting" in Windows. Wich would have all the same name if you dont change the "CHRLAUNCHER_NAME" variable.

Sure, you could make it: CHRLAUNCHER_NAME=Librewolf+$somerandomgeneratedname

But this really over the top.

Sure, my Suggestion is for these guys helpfull, wich want to be able to make it possible that the normal user have everytime a up-to-date browser.

[ltguillaume]

OK, cool, opens in a tab.

Thing is, when multiple instances are running, I need some way to control which instance opens the URL.

As for adding multiple instances to the registry, too, no that's not what I intend to do.

Here's your script in file form, by the way (extract next to LibreWolf-Portable.exe):
SetDefault.zip

[solisinvictum]

I test it in few minutes.

I already tried to change the variables too in a lazy way (simply replace in notepad++) (to LIBREWOLF instead CHRLAUNCHER). but for some reason that didnt worked. But didnt bothered to look why.

if you have multiple instances running FROM THE SAME PATH (so the same "installation"), it opens a new tab in the active window.

if a user have for example a instance open from C:\Librewolf1 and C:\Librewolf2, a clicked link in Windows or other Application except the librewolf instance self, would open the link in the librewolf instance, wich is definded as standard. In Librewolf1 instance for example if this is maded the standard one over the little script.

Edit: Your adjusted script works.

[solisinvictum]

Just to clearify:

I wouldnt make this default with your librewolf-portable.

What i would do: Maybe a default Startpage, wich mention if the user want to make this portable version/instance default, to execute the delivered *.bat file as admin.

Or simply to deliver the *.bat file with librewolf-portable, and to mention it here in a documentation/wiki page.

[h8nor]

You can try to change the browser installation script by default in the system
https://gist.github.com/winhelponline/5ba152dd99e41a9cd4e1b2eb79085fd5

[ltguillaume]

@solisinvictum I don't think it will be added by stanzabird to the LibreWolf zip-file, but I might just link to this from the readme here.

By the way, a few days ago I updated the script, because earlier I forgot to add a few lines to auto-elevate the script if it's not yet run as administrator.

@h8nor How is this different from the batch script?

[h8nor]

Batch script installed. After launching the application I see an error

[ltguillaume]

That isn't related to the batch script. Just click "Continue".

[moya2162]

Recommend check out following project to register portable browser as system default. I have personally used it on Windows 11 with LibreWolf portable and am able to click links and have them open in my portable instance in a specific profile too.

https://github.com/SiL3NC3/PortableRegistrator

[NastyFlytrap]

This is what i've been looking for days and neither brave nor google sent me here until now

Thanks!