The work computer that I use has quite strict security protocols. When I try to run Firefox (whether locally installed, or using the portable version on my USB stick) it tells me "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions on this computer". This is on an XP machine btw.
Anyway, the strange thing is how these restrictions don't apply when I run Firefox from my U3 LaunchPad (or any other U3 application for that matter).
When I discovered the PortableApps application launcher, I got excited because I thought this would work a charm like my U3 Launcher. Thing is, it doesn't! When I try to launch Firefox, absolutely nothing happens.
Anyway, I'm just trying to get Firefox 3 on my USB stick. U3 will probably take months to upgrade their Firefox app, whereas PortableApps is always dishing out Firefox 3.
Any suggestions anyone?
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Your best bet is to rename it.
As to why the U3 version works, it shouldn't. It's based on a very old version of Firefox Portable's launcher (with less than 1/2 the features of the current Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition launcher) and uses an outdated copy of Firefox. So, perhaps that has something to do with it.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Wow, that actually worked! I'm amazed that such a simple workaround did the trick!
Btw, in addition to your steps, I had to rename portablefirefox.exe in the FirefoxPortable directory to iexplore.exe in order to make it work.
This is brilliant! Now I have no use for my U3 drive.
Great! One suggestion: pick another name for the launcher. If the launcher and firefox.exe are named the same, the launcher will have a tough time figuring out when you close Firefox. So, call the launcher iexplore.exe and call firefox.exe iexplore2.exe or something else. That way it won't accidentally see an IE process either.
It seems a specific rule against Firefox Portable is in force on your PC. It's probably against Firefox local and Firefox Portable. It's a simplistic rule based on naming. And they probably neglected U3 because it's just not used as much as PortableApps.com.
You should consider whether this may get you in trouble with your IT dept, though. While our software doesn't leave personal information behind, it does leave traces within Windows itself that show what software was run.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!