How do we set up two distinct sets of preferences in Firefox?

December 22, 2004 3:36 PM

Firefox question - I have a situation where two people share this computer, and each of us want our browser set up OUR way - bookmarks, toolbars, look and style, etc. Is there a way to set this up in Firefox? Compromise is not likely, and I don't want to have to kill them to keep them from replacing my toolbar links. Nor do I want either of us to go back to IE and its gaping security holes again. Any ideas?
posted by John Smallberries to computers & internet (5 comments total)

You could install it into two different directories
posted by exois at 3:38 PM on December 22, 2004

What operating system are you using?

This is the kind of thing seperate user accounts are good for.
posted by Wolfdog at 3:43 PM on December 22, 2004

(Assuming you're running XP:)

Choose Run from the Start Menu and type
firefox.exe -profilemanager

Create two new profiles, named "Ann" and "Bob". Or whatever.

Make two duplicates of your existing Firefox shortcut. On one, right-click, choose Properties, choose the Shortcut tab, and change the "Target" to

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -p Ann

On the other, do the same thing, changing the target to

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -p Bob

Boom.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 3:52 PM on December 22, 2004

If you're running XP, besides Saucy's solution, you can just create two user accounts. It's really very easy to switch from one to another without logging anyone off. And it's good to keep you from stepping on each other's toes. "Control Panel", "User Accounts", "Create a new account", then follow directions.

I'm puzzled why you say two people share the computer, then say you may have to kill "them". Maybe its just the gender-unspecific "them"? Before you kill your gf or your mom, consider investing in another computer. This is not a snark: it's hard to share a computer, but it's easy to share an Internet connection.
posted by Turtle at 4:27 PM on December 22, 2004

Many thanks guys - problem solved! (Yeah, I was using "them" to be gender non-specific. It keeps my options open if I want to hit on someone here at a later date. Heh.)
posted by John Smallberries at 4:37 PM on December 22, 2004