Changing the Default Web Browser

Reader Scott Adler wrote to ask:

When you use FireFox you still have to retain Internet Explorer on your hard drive. This is fortunate because there are programs which are not compatible with FireFox and will only run under Internet Explorer. I have a problem--Either Fire Fox or Internet Explorer has to be designated as the default browser. That being the case, can you define the steps one has to take to switch from Firefox as the default to make IE the default?? Also need the reverse steps.
Every time we download and install a new web browser, or version of a web browser, it wants to become the default web browser for that Windows installation.

Of course, we COULD say ok and let that happen. But, I almost never allow it to become the default, unless I'm actually upgrading the web browser that is my current default browser.

Internet Explorer, Firefox and Opera, and I assume most other web browsers, offer their users the ability to change Windows settings to make them the default web browser.

We don't make the change via one of the options settings inn Windows — we change it within the web browser that we want to become the default.

Making Firefox the Default Web Browser
Start Firefox
Tools > Options, this will open the Options dialog box.
Switch to the Advanced tab
In the section System Defaults, click the Check Now button.
If Firefox is not the default, you'll get the option to make it the default
If you want, put a checkmark in the box that says "Always check to see if Firefox is the default web browser on startup"
Click OK
Making Internet Explorer the Default Web Browser
Start IE7
Tools > Internet Options. This will open the Internet Options dialog box.
Switch to the Programs tab
Just below the middle of the dialog box, where it says "Defalt web browser", click on the Make Default button
If you want, put a checkmark in the box that says "Tell me if Internet Explorer is not the default web browser"
click Apply
Click OK
Exit Internet Explorer and open it again, which will make it check to see that it's the default
Making Opera the Default Web Browser
Start Opera
Tools > Preferences, this will open the Preferences dialog box.
Switch to the Advanced tab
In the column on the left, click the Programs button.
If you want, put a checkmark in the box that says "Check if Opera is default web browser on startup""
Click the "Details..." button to see all the choices of file types (e.g., jpg, gif, bmp) and protocols (e.g., http, https, ftp) that Opera can handle as defaults in addition to HTML documents.
Click OK
Exit Opera and open it again, which will make it check to see that it's the default