Windows software: Please recommend a browser.

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tontontonton
Posted:
in Mac Software edited January 2014
Firefox does not work on my PC at work. It hangs solid every time any site tries to load https content. I've reinstalled and changed settings, tried other things, and nothing. The only way to relaunch after it hangs is to log out completely and log back in again.



But I can't stand Explorer. What I need most is tabbed browsing.



What is the preferred PC browser other than Firefox/Mozilla/Netscape or Explorer?

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    mcqmcq Posts: 1,543member
    I'd guess Opera, though I haven't used anything outside of Firefox/IE.
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  • Reply 2 of 9
    gongon Posts: 2,437member
    You mentioned it, but have you actually tried the original Mozilla instead of Firefox and seen whether it works? I used Moz till late spring when I went from Windows to OS X, where I perceived it to be buggy. The Windows version works very well, has a lot of the tab functionality that can be added to Firefox as extensions (definitely more options as default), and has had Quick Searches for a long time even if it's not advertised anywhere. Moreover, it feels the same so would be an easier switch target than Opera.



    Opera is very good as well. I have two friends who use it, but I've been happy enough with Moz and Firefox I figured there isn't enough of a reason to try something new. From a brief user experience at a friends' place, Opera felt a little cluttered, but there were some features that felt rather like magic. Don't remember the specifics.
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  • Reply 3 of 9
    mr. memr. me Posts: 3,221member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by tonton

    Firefox does not work on my PC at work. It hangs solid every time any site tries to load https content. I've reinstalled and changed settings, tried other things, and nothing. The only way to relaunch after it hangs is to log out completely and log back in again.



    But I can't stand Explorer. What I need most is tabbed browsing.



    What is the preferred PC browser other than Firefox/Mozilla/Netscape or Explorer?



    If FireFox doesn't work on your PC at work, then there is something wrong with your PC at work. The first thing that you need to do is to get it fixed.
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  • Reply 4 of 9
    mikefmikef Posts: 698member
    I agree with Mr. Me.



    Cleanly install Firefox



    1. Uninstall Firefox (using Add/Remove Programs) if you currently have it installed.



    2. From a Command Prompt, type:



    ren "%UserProfile%\\application data\\mozilla" mozilla.old



    (alternatively, replace "ren" with "rmdir /s/q" if you want to totally remove the directory)



    Next, ensure the Firefox installation directory is totally clean:



    rmdir /s/q "%ProgramFiles%\\Mozilla Firefox"



    3. Re-install Firefox and revel in it's glory when it finally works for you.
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  • Reply 5 of 9
    gene cleangene clean Posts: 3,481member
    MYIE2, Avant Browser, Opera.
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  • Reply 6 of 9
    mikefmikef Posts: 698member
    Further to my posting, if Firefox hangs, use CTRL-SHIFT-ESC to start the Task Manager and end the firefox.exe processes that might be hanging around. That saves the need to logout and back in to get Firefox to behave.
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  • Reply 7 of 9
    ionyzionyz Posts: 491member
    MYIE2, Avant Browser, IE = MSHTML

    MSHTML = Bad



    Outside of Mozilla browsers I'd recommend Opera. I also agree with Mr. Me. If it isn't a legitimate bug there is something wrong in your setup as I know dozens of Windows users in a variety of environments using Firefox.
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  • Reply 8 of 9
    groveratgroverat Posts: 10,872member
    Your Firefox isn't being uninstalled correctly. Make sure it is wiped from all the Application Data folders (make sure all hidden files/folders are showing) and the registry. You've got some bad mojo going. Just erase anything that smells like Mozilla and/or Firefox.



    run "regedit" and poke around. hkey_local_machine areas.



    Restart once it's all dead and reinstall. Firefox on Windows is the best browser on any platform. Especially once you install insanely cool extensions like gmail notifier, adblock and mouse gestures. BOOYAH!



    IE is a lot better with something like Avant or Maxthon installed over it. With XP-SP2 you get built-in pop-up blocking and better spyware protection (SpywareBlaster is good for ActiveX controls).
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  • Reply 9 of 9
    gongon Posts: 2,437member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Mr. Me

    If FireFox doesn't work on your PC at work, then there is something wrong with your PC at work. The first thing that you need to do is to get it fixed.



    Excellent observation. In fact, I'd sooner trust Moz/Firefox than Windows, so if you have done a reasonable manual uninstall, rebooted, installed, and these browsers still don't work, I'd do a clean reinstall of Windows. Even if some other browser managed to install. The way I see it, the Windows installation is going fubar and the options are reinstall and peace of mind now or possible self destruct at an unknown time. Easy choice.



    As a bonus point, since this is work, you might not lose any time since someone else may be doing the reinstall for you.
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