r3dfox as default browser

lundegart · Post by **lundegart** » 23 Mar 2026, 07:52

Hello, I have a problem with integrating r3dfoxportable as the default browser in Windows 7 Ultimate. The profile I created is located in the \r3dfoxPortable\Data\profile folder and I always opened the browser via r3dfoxPortable.exe in the \r3dfoxPortable folder (base folder). After integrating it as the standard browser, everything points to \r3dfoxPortable\App\r3dfox64 and the r3dfox.exe there is called and r3dfox even creates a new profile under \r3dfoxPortable\App\r3dfox64\Profile. Unfortunately, for example, when I open a link in Thunderbird, my profile is not opened but everything points to the newly created profile. I would be grateful for any advice or instructions on how to correctly integrate r3dfox with the desired profile.

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 23 Mar 2026, 12:02

Why are you using the PORTABLE version?
Switching to the NON-PORTABLE solves your issue.

Nothing "for or against", per se.
It just seems to me that the simple WANTING of a DEFAULT BROWSER runs *AGAINST* the true INTENTIONS of *PORTABLE* because the mere act of setting a "default" requires registry entries and folder structures COUNTER-INTUITIVE to the very nature of what "portable" strives to achieve.

If you are going to take a "portable" but then re-create what the portable removed (ie, permanent registry entries, for example), then you really should just use the "real" version and not the "portable" version.

lundegart · Post by **lundegart** » 23 Mar 2026, 17:20

I work with several operating systems installed in parallel and would like to be able to access the same browser from each. With Firefox Portable, it has never been a problem for many years to integrate it into several operating systems in parallel as the standard browser. Since a few of these operating systems are Windows 7, I think it would be good to continue what worked with Firefox portable with the r3dfox portable and would like to know whether and how that is possible. It behaves differently than Firefox.

Post by **Duke** » 23 Mar 2026, 20:08

Portable Registrator might do what you want:
https://github.com/SiL3NC3/PortableRegistrator

I haven't tried it. Make backups of everything (system, registry, profiles, folders, etc) before using it so you can easily go back in case of troubles. You have been warned.

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 23 Mar 2026, 21:45

I personally think we need to dig deeper than a third-party tool.
If the claim is true that r3dfox "behaves differently than Firefox" in this regard, then I think it is a FAIR QUESTION to find out WHY.
Not to be misread, r3dfox is SUPPOSED TO "behave differently" in SOME aspects, but I would submit that this is PROBABLY not one of them.

Now then, having said that, I still DISAGREE with the HACK-ATTACK to turn a PORTABLE into something that is NO LONGER PORTABLE.

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 23 Mar 2026, 22:03

On second thought, I have to disagree with myself on one MISLEADING aspect presented by the OP.
He is comparing r3dfrox portable to Firefox Portable.

MOZILLA DOES NOT OFFICIALLY RELEASE A PORTABLE FIREFOX.
Unless I missed it...

So just what are we comparing here? PortableApps.com's Firefox? winPenPack's Firefox? Something found on GitHub?

Post by **Duke** » 23 Mar 2026, 22:05

lundegart wrote: ↑23 Mar 2026, 07:52 I always opened the browser via r3dfoxPortable.exe in the \r3dfoxPortable folder (base folder).

BTW are you talking about the version from PortableApps.com ?

You should also try the official portable versions:
https://github.com/Eclipse-Community/r3dfox/releases

lundegart · Post by **lundegart** » 24 Mar 2026, 10:48

@ Duke: Thanks for the tip, I downloaded the version from your link and found that this “official version” has a completely different folder structure. This means that what I want works well, no more problems.
Question: I can't remember exactly, but I previously downloaded the version from PortableApps.com. Is PortableApps.com actually trustworthy and why are there so many differences from github? So thank you very much and best regards!

Post by **Duke** » 24 Mar 2026, 15:42

lundegart wrote: ↑24 Mar 2026, 10:48 Is PortableApps.com actually trustworthy

Yes, it is.

lundegart wrote: ↑24 Mar 2026, 10:48 and why are there so many differences from github?

They are making their own builds of various portable programs using their own launcher. The binary files themselves shouldn't be different but the way the whole thing works is different. With browsers they are using both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, if availble, so the whole package is really fully portable on any Windows version.
But I don't know more about how it works, sorry.

The-10-Pen · Post by **The-10-Pen** » 24 Mar 2026, 16:38

PortableApps.com apps (PAA) create their own temporary registries.
They are designed to work WITH EACH OTHER (but one of the apps has to be running).
I myself have HUNDREDS (not an exaggeration) of PAA's.
I put office-related programs on one flash drive, audio/video on another flash drive, etc.

I have to ASSUME that the OP is using a PAA THUNDERBIRD and it was designed (by way of its temporary registry) to work *with* PAA's FIREFOX *as-is*.
Only because PAA Thunderbird was RUNNING was the OP's PAA Firefox launched with a click of an email link.

These are actually quite easy to "trace".
View your registry *before* launching Thunderbird.
Then view the temporary registry entries that are created WHILE Thunderbird is running.
All of these registry entries delete themselves from the OS Registry when Thunderbird is closed.
They are stored in a folder/file within the portable Thunderbird's file structure to get "re-added" to the OS Registry at next run.
Then removed again when Thunderbird is closed.
Rinse... Repeat...

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