2. Mozilla Navigator (Browser)

2.1. Can I install just the browser, not the rest?

Yes. Choose Browser only as your download or install option.

2.2. How do I make Mozilla my default browser?

The first time you run the browser, it should ask you if you want to make Mozilla your default browser. If you answered ‘no’ and later decide you would like it to act as your default browser:

  • Windows: go to Edit | Preferences | Navigator. Click Set Default Browser.

  • Mac OS X: go to the Apple menu | System Preferences | Internet | Web | Default Browser | Select.

  • GNOME (Unix/Linux): Open the Control Panel. Go to Document Handlers | URL Handlers | Default: gnome-moz-remote --newwin %s .Then put the following text in ~/.gnome/gnome-moz-remote (create the file if it does not exist):

[Mozilla]
 filename=absolute path of Mozilla install directory/mozilla
2.3. I've heard about tabbed browsing. How do I use it?
  • Ctrl-T opens a new tab. (Macintosh: use Command rather than Ctrl for these functions.)
  • Ctrl-PgUp and Ctrl-PgDn cycle between tabs.
  • Right-click on a link to Open Link In New Tab. You can also set a preference to open in a new tab with Ctrl-click or middle-click on a link, or with Ctrl-Enter when entering an address in the address bar.
  • Save a window of tabs as a group bookmark by going to Bookmarks | File Bookmark and checking File as group–when you go to the bookmark, all the tabs will open at once.
  • Set tabbed browsing preferences in Edit | Preferences | Navigator | Tabbed Browsing.

A more sophisticated tab browser is also in development at MultiZilla.

2.4. I've heard about popup blocking. How do I do this?

Go to Edit | Preferences | Privacy & Security | Popup Windows and uncheck the powers you do not want to grant to web pages. Checking Block unrequested popup windows blocks most unrequested popups.

2.5. How do I set up bookmark keywords?

Keywords are custom shortcuts to bookmarks. To set a keyword, go to Bookmarks | Manage Bookmarks and select the bookmark you want to set a keyword for. Click Properties and enter your keyword for that bookmark. You will now be able to go to that address by entering its keyword in the address bar.

For more information, see Bookmark Keywords.

2.6. Does Mozilla support plug-ins?

Yes, but most plug-ins do not automatically detect Mozilla. Plug-ins that work with Netscape, Opera or Internet Explorer 3-5 will generally also work with Mozilla.

You can see which plug-ins Mozilla has detected under Help | About Plug-ins.

Details on installing the most common plug-ins (e.g., Java, Flash) is available at PluginDoc.

2.7. How do I control how files are handled by the plug-ins / helper applications

You can control how Internet files are handled (e.g. if it should be downloaded or opened by a specific application) in Edit | Preferences | Navigator | Helper Applications

2.8. Does Mozilla support ActiveX controls? (Windows)

Mozilla does not support ActiveX controls natively. A plug-in for ActiveX controls (which also works with Netscape 4.x) is in development, with limitations: it will not download or install controls itself, and it will only host controls that are already installed and marked safe for scripting, so it is not as insecure as ActiveX normally is. The current plug-in does not yet allow controls to be scripted.

You can read about the plug-in at the Mozilla ActiveX Project.

Note that ActiveX can pose a security risk to your computer.

2.9. Why doesn't Mozilla allow me to run an .exe (executable file) directly from an Internet location?

This is a security precaution to help avoid malicious software getting onto your system or network. Not allowing a program to run directly from an Internet location allows you to make sure that what you are running is indeed what it seems, and to scan the file with anti-virus software if necessary.

Other files (documents) can still be launched directly from Mozilla.

2.10. I'm using dial-up. Can I speed up displaying pages with lots of images?

Go to Edit | Preferences | Advanced | HTTP Networking and check Enable Pipelining. This fetches everything on the page in a single connection, rather than one connection per item.

It is switched off by default because some servers and proxies have problems with pipelining, but it tremendously improves browsing performance.

2.11. Can I control the browser with mouse gestures?

A mouse gestures add-on is in development at OptiMoz.

2.12. Text zoom does not stick. How do I permenantly enlarge/reduce text size?

Text zoom (View | Text Zoom) is meant for temporary fix for pages with text too large or too small. If the default font size is not working for you, you can change it in the Preferences. Open the Edit menu and choose Preferences. Double click Appearance and choose Fonts. On the right panel set the font sizes. You can also set the mininmum font size. (Note: font setting depends on language, so you may want to fiddle with size settings for each language.)

2.13. I just installed Mozilla and now it stole the .jpeg and .gif file associations! (Windows)

Open the Preferences dialog (Edit | Preferences). Open Advanced | System catagory. In the file association box, uncheck all checkboxes for images. Mozilla will revert them back to their previous settings.

2.14. How do I set up Mozilla to dial (connect) automatically? (Windows)

In Windows 98, open the Control Panel (Start | Settings | Control Panel). Double-click Internet Options. Select the Connections tab. Set the dial option to "Dial whenever a network connection is not present". Also, select one of the dialup connections and press the "Set Default" button.

In Windows 2000/XP open the Control Panel (Start | Settings | Control Panel). Double-click Administrative Tools. Double-click Services. Look for the following services:

  • Remote Access Connection Manager
  • Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
  • Telephony

Set all those services to automatic.

Note: Mozilla cannot auto-disconnect.

2.15. How do I stop Mozilla from activating the auto-connect? (Windows)

If you want to turn on auto-connect for other Internet clients but turn it off for Mozilla, enter about:config in the Location Bar. Find the item network.autodial-helper.enabled and set its value to false.