How the Firefox desktop launcher works

Firefox Firefox Last updated: 1 day, 5 hours ago

This article only applies to Firefox on Windows.

When you migrate your desktop items through OneDrive to a new or updated device, your regular Firefox shortcut automatically becomes a "smart shortcut" application, known as the Firefox desktop launcher.

This smart shortcut app checks if Firefox is already installed on your device. If Firefox is already installed, it will just launch the browser for you. If Firefox isn't present when you click the smart shortcut, it asks to install Firefox for you. This ensures that Firefox remains conveniently accessible right from your desktop, even on a brand-new or freshly upgraded device.

We introduced this feature starting with Firefox version 143 installations and updates, to make sure you always have a visible, convenient entry point to Firefox when setting up your new device. It eliminates the hassle of manually installing Firefox if it isn't yet installed, ensuring that your favorite browser is ready to go with a single click.

This means less setup and more browsing, saving you time and effort during the transition to your new device. The Firefox desktop launcher specifically benefits users migrating to new devices on Windows who sync desktop items through OneDrive.

Important note: Although this smart shortcut automatically installs Firefox, you’ll still need to ensure you’ve backed up your personal Firefox data (such as bookmarks, passwords, and settings) separately. The Firefox desktop launcher does not automatically restore your personal Firefox profile or data. To restore your data from your last sync backup, simply sign into the browser with your Mozilla account. You can also restore from a profile backup.

How to run Firefox desktop launcher

When migrating your desktop items via OneDrive onto your new or updated device, use the following steps:

  1. Click the Firefox shortcut
    Firefox replaces the standard desktop shortcut with a smart shortcut that automatically checks your device’s Firefox installation status. You’ll notice that the typical “arrow” on the icon is no longer present. To begin, double-click the smart shortcut.
    Firefox shortcut change
  2. Run a new installation, if needed
    If Firefox isn't installed on the new or upgraded device yet, clicking the smart shortcut will initiate the installation automatically without you needing to manually download and run the installer. Wait for the installation to complete.
    Firefox installation
  3. Quickly access Firefox
    After the installation completes, a Firefox browser window will open.
    Welcome to Firefox

Add a Firefox shortcut to your desktop (standard users)

If you install Firefox without admin rights, the shortcut may not appear on your desktop. Here's how to check your installation path and manually create a shortcut.

This is a known issue affecting standard users and will be fixed in Firefox version 144.

1. Understand where Firefox was installed

When running the Firefox installer:

  • If you select Yes at the User Account Control (UAC) prompt and enter admin credentials, Firefox installs to: 
C:\Program Files\Firefox\ — the shortcut may appear only on the Administrator's desktop.
  • If you select No or close the prompt, Firefox installs to: 
C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\Firefox\ — no desktop shortcut will be created.

2. Manually create a desktop shortcut

From the Start menu:

  1. Open the Start menu and find Firefox.
  2. Right-click the icon and select More > Open file location.
  3. Right-click the shortcut, then choose Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).

Or, from the install folder:

  1. Navigate to the folder where Firefox is installed.
  2. Right-click firefox.exe.
  3. Choose Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).

These fine people helped write this article:

AliceWyman, Mark Heijl, Donna Kelly, Flavius Floare
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