At first, I thought this was another instance of FF opening up due to the default GUI that opened until I figured out what was happening.
There is a problem with this other 'Profile' folder being created, buried in the 'Users" folder running Win7. It is not a duplicate of the customized folder within the actual program folder, but just a 'default' profile folder that doesn't get updated when the regular profile changes (add ons, etc).
There are 3 folders (only one seems to have data in it) buried in that annoying 'Users' folder in Windows (W7 specifically).
What that causes is clicking on external URL links (in e-mails using client programs) if FF is not already running will open the browser using that default profile instead of the working profile producing a 'stock' looking GUI which is really annoying, as it might as well be a different browser (depending on how much customizing you have done).
Open the program by a desktop or start menu shortcut, it works as intended. I didn't try a another program by clicking the Help tab (that sometimes points to the developers website) to see if that would open FF using the default profile, duplicating clicking on a e-mail URL link.
Why and how on earth that buried default profile is used is beyond me and only with that one action.
So the question is, how can I makes changes (within reason) to point to the correct profile and also stop the program from creating those (what I consider) unnecessary/duplicate entries in the users folder?
BTW, just deleting those folders doesn't work, the program just recreates them again.
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If you set Firefox Portable as your default browser within the browser itself, it doesn't set Firefox Portable as your default browser. It sets the copy of Firefox within Firefox Portable as your default. If Firefox Portable is already running, it's not an issue as it just hands it off to Firefox running in portable mode. But if you click a URL and Firefox Portable isn't running, it starts Firefox up in local mode and creates a local profile. If you want to use Firefox Portable as your default browser, you have to set FirefoxPortable.exe as your default browser manually with a third party utility.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
I have gone thru all the extension that relate to a browser and marked them FF.
Why do those files have to exist buried in that damn users folder when they exist in the FF program folder?? What's with this "local mode"??
If you run firefox.exe directly, as happens if you set Firefox itself within Firefox Portable as your default browser, it runs as if it is installed aka a local install of Firefox. You're running it as if its an installed Firefox and its creating a new profile in the standard location in this instance. Do not run firefox.exe directly, only run FirefoxPortable.exe.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
all the affected/relevant extensions should point to FirefoxPortable, not to the original Firefox .exe?
You can not just extract the Portable application to a folder (by a right click using your compression/de-compression program) like you can do with most other 'portable/standalone applications?
All file extensions should point to FirefoxPortable.exe.
Most "portable" apps that are in zip format are not fully portable and leave things behind and/or have things break as you move PCs. PA.c Format is a standardized open format that ensures things are fully portable: https://portableapps.com/about/what_is_a_portable_app#whypaf
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Using 'Always check if Firefox is your default browser' & 'Make default' in FF General/Preferences, is sufficient to make this the default browser?
With Opera Portable, (not yours), there always was steps in associations to set to overcome Idiot Exploiter defaults that didn't always work. Especially with other programs during install or uninstall when either completed, a web page from the developers site with a thank-you or a 'sorry to see you go' page would open in IE.
No, it is not. As I stated above, this will set Firefox within Firefox Portable as your default. In local mode. "If you want to use Firefox Portable as your default browser, you have to set FirefoxPortable.exe as your default browser manually with a third party utility."
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Is that what created that duplicate Profile folder?
When you say '3rd party' does that include what M$ provides in Set associations?
This is really a 'trap'. I didn't set it that way, but if it was, by unchecking it, will that undo the 'damage'?
I get the concept of a Portable/Stand-alone application, I probably have over 15, but none have had any issues like this. No special consideration other then setting it for the format and/or .exe they handle.
Again, you have to manually associate FirefoxPortable.exe with the file extensions using a third party utility if you wish to use it like that. If you associate firefox.exe it will run in local mode and produce a profile locally. To undo the 'damage' either set another locally-installed browser as your default or use a third party utility to associate FirefoxPortable.exe. Unlike publisher-supplied sort-of portable ZIP files, Firefox Portable uses a separate launcher EXE to setup before Firefox runs, run Firefox with the appropriate environment and command line, and clean up when its done. That's why it works this way. It is impossible to run Firefox.exe in a fully portable mode directly without adjust its code and recompiling it which would then prohibit you from calling it Firefox.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
I understand the extensions, as I already stated, I have done that before, but the problem is the Protocols since this isn't installed the O/s doesn't know about it and doesn't allow a 'Browse' function like it does for the extensions. Right now it shows Firefox URL for those three Protocols, but lists it as a 'unknown application'.
Nothing new, I found this from 10 years ago, only proves nothing has changed with M$ and IE;
http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=652180&start=30
But far more recently that you posted in;
https://portableapps.com/node/37743
The argument there was a 100% standalone program. It seems that a registry entry is the only solution. I don't care about that as long as it works and it can be changed back.
I tried using the e-mail client and it only gives me a error that no application was set (which I can't) in spite of all the extensions being directed to FF Portable.
BUT, the program "Register Firefox Portable v1.1" worked !;
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/register-firefox-portable-with-default...
At least so far, so good. It seems the ones that SHOULD work at M$ don't.
The program you used is the type of 3rd party utility John was referring to.
Glad to hear you've sorted things out.