Tutorial On How To Install Firefox Metro App On Windows 8

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Here is a tutorial that explains how to install Firefox on Windows 8 as a native app.

Firefox by Mozilla is a well known name in the Internet Browser World. It offers amazing speeds for browsing the internet. The Firefox browser has been available for Windows 8 as a desktop app for a long time now, but many users want to use Firefox as a metro UI app as well. Although not available from the Windows app store, there is a way to install the preview build of the Firefox Metro App on your Windows 8. Do note that this app is in the Nightly build (stable alpha) phase, and although it does not crash on Windows 8 machines, it may tend to give some slight issues. Installing the Windows 8 app of Firefox is not very straightforward, and hence, I have decided to make an easy to follow tutorial for you, our dear readers!

Firefox Nightly app icon

Tutorial to Install Firefox on Windows 8:

Before you continue with this tutorial, make sure that you Uninstall all mozilla software from your Windows 8 machine. The software may include, Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, Mozilla Software updater etc. To uninstall, simply go to Control Panel> Programs and Features> Uninstall a Program, and select and uninstall the Mozilla products. When you are done with the above steps, proceed with the below tutorial.

Step 1: Head over to Firefox’s Nightly Page, and download the latest Nightly build for Windows from there. You can either select Express Install or Standard Install option. Or, you can simply click here to download the setup file of Nightly build for Firefox. (see screenshot below for Firefox nightly website)

firefox download Step 2: Run the installer. When the installation is complete, fire up Nightly. The Firefox nightly icon is Blue Globe icon, and instead of Firefox, the Text label will read Nightly. The Nightly icon should be visible on the desktop. When you will open Nightly, it will ask you if you want to use it as your default browser (see screenshot below).

Make default browser

Select Yes in the above box that pops up. Now, you should get another pop up from Windows 8, that “How do you want to open this type of link (http)?”. Select Nightly from the list that opens up. (see screenshot below)

 

Choose Nightly to open http

Step 3: Now, you should be able to see the Nightly app in your start screen. (see screenshot below)

Nightly app icon

Step 4: Open up Nightly from the Start Screen. You will see a Metro Interface like the below screenshot.

firefox metro

In the above window, you can simply type the web address in the bar at the bottom and begin browsing the web.

Step 5: If you don’t want to use the Nightly Metro app, you can also simply use the Nightly desktop app by double clicking the Nightly icon from the Desktop (not from the Start Screen). Once you double click the Nightly icon in the Desktop, you will notice a familiar Firefox Environment. (see the screenshot below)

Nightly Desktop mode (Non Metro UI)

This is all you need to know to install Firefox Metro on your Windows 8 machine.

Tips and Warnings:

  • Firefox Metro is a Nightly release of Firefox, which is an alpha mode release. Although Nightly releases are stable, they may give certain issues on some machines, as they have not been tested on wide range of machines.
  • Make sure that there are no Mozilla products installed on your machine before you follow the above tutorial.

Pros:

  • The user interface is smooth.
  • Offers a combination of Desktop and Metro app, through just one installer.
  • No lags or force closes on my machine.
  • Both the desktop app, and the metro app feel very smooth.

Cons:

  • The build is an Alpha Release.
  • No Private Browsing Option in the Metro app, although the option is available in the desktop app.
  • No way to clear the browser history through the Metro app, you have to open the Nightly Desktop app to clear history.

The Verdict:

Nightly is an amazing Metro UI app for Windows 8 which is very smooth, and runs with no lags whatsoever. This app makes for a good replacement of the standard desktop browser that you are accustomed to using, and although it lacks a few features as of now, we are sure that these features will be added gradually to the app, as the app is in its alpha release as of now.

The app is very stable, and you can download it for Windows 8 for free.

Get Firefox Nightly app for Windows 8

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Works With: Windows 8
Free/Paid: Free

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Lucian Blaga2013-06-17

Thank you, for your reply.

I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled Nightly. This is the process: http:i.imgur.com75X4zYQ.jpg

No luck. Clicking the Nightly icon from the start screen still launches desktop mode!

I typed in Run dialog box “C:Program FilesNightlyfirefox.exe” -metrodesktop and that launched this:
http:i.imgur.comhfRGTTr.jpg

Metro browser in desktop mode 😃

I use Google Chrome everyday, but i wanted to try Firefox in metro mode.

Pranjal Pant2013-06-17

I need some more information before I can assist you with the problem that you are facing. So let me get straight to troubleshooting your problem.
I need you to do the following…
Step 1. Press Win+R combination while on the desktop of Windows 8, and a Run box should open up. (not start screen)
Step 2. Type the following command inside the Run dialog box that pops up:

C:Program FilesNightlyfirefox.exe" -metrodesktop, and click on Okay button.
If the above command gives you an error after clicking the Okay button, try the command below.
C:Program Files (x86)Nightlyfirefox.exe" -metrodesktop
Step 3: If you have followed the above tutorial correctly, the firefox metro app should now open up. If it doesn’t open up, please uninstall the Nightly build Firefox from the control panel, and please follow the tutorial again.
In any case, please get back to me with the result of the above troubleshooting process.

Lucian Blaga2013-06-17

I followed your tutorial, but it launches in desktop mode only!

I have windows 8 32 bit.

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