Opening a new instance of your Mozilla application with another profile: Difference between revisions

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''This article explains how to use the -no-remote [[command line arguments|command line option]] in Firefox 2 and above, so that multiple instances of Firefox can be opened at the same time using separate profiles.''
''This article explains how to open multiple instances of your Mozilla application at the same time, using different profiles.  It was written for Firefox but also applies to Thunderbird and [http://www.seamonkey-project.org/releases/ SeaMonkey 2].  Thunderbird users should read [[Run multiple copies of Thunderbird at the same time]] for additional information.''


When Firefox is running and you try to open another Firefox process, a new  window is opened instead, in the already running process.  You can use the '''-no-remote''' command line option along with the  '''-P''' option to select a different profile, to start a new Firefox process that is invisible to the first process. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=3173145#3173145]  Selecting a different profile from the one used in the first process is necessary because [[Profile in use|profiles are "locked" when in use]].   
 
When Firefox is running and you try to open another Firefox process, a new  window is opened instead, in the already running process.  You can use the <code>-no-remote</code>  [[command line arguments|command line option]] to start a new Firefox process that is invisible to the first process.  [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=325509]  By using <code>-no-remote</code> along with the  <code>-P</code> option to select a different profile, you can open multiple instances of Firefox at the same time, using separate profiles. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=3173145#3173145]  Selecting a different profile from the one used in the first process is necessary because [[Profile in use|profiles are "locked" when in use]].   


'''Important:'''  Never use -no-remote to start the "default" profile (the one that is set to open without asking when you launch Firefox).  That's because when you launch Firefox, for example,  by clicking a link in your mail program, you will get a [[Profile in use|Firefox is already running but is not responding]] message if the default profile is already in use.  The solution is to always start the default profile normally and launch all others with -no-remote. Then it will work. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=3202348#3202348]
'''Important:'''  Never use -no-remote to start the "default" profile (the one that is set to open without asking when you launch Firefox).  That's because when you launch Firefox, for example,  by clicking a link in your mail program, you will get a [[Profile in use|Firefox is already running but is not responding]] message if the default profile is already in use.  The solution is to always start the default profile normally and launch all others with -no-remote. Then it will work. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=3202348#3202348]


You can use a [[shortcut to a specific profile]] to open Firefox using -no-remote.  For example,  to open a profile named "My Profile" using -no-remote,  enter the following in the Target field of a Windows desktop shortcut (adjust the path, if different):
You can use a [[shortcut to a specific profile]] to open Firefox using <code>-no-remote</code>.  For example,  to open a profile named "My Profile" using -no-remote,  enter the following in the Target field of a Windows desktop shortcut (adjust the path, if different):
  "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P "My Profile" -no-remote  
  "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P "My Profile" -no-remote  


Note: You can also open the [[Profile Manager]] with Firefox already running, by using ''-P -no-remote'' without including a profile name.  
'''Note:''' You can also open the [[Profile Manager]] with Firefox already running, by using <code>-P -no-remote</code> without including a profile name.  
 
===See also===
* [[Starting your Mozilla application with a specified profile]]
* [[Using multiple profiles - Firefox]]


===Some Tips on using Multiple Profiles===
===Related bug reports===  
* Use [http://userstyles.org/styles/9514 Color Toolbar(s) to identify profile | userstyles.org] styling to color code your Firefox browser and dialog windows to identify the profile in use.  The style is installed, used and managed with the [http://userstyles.org/ Stylish] extension available at [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2108 addons].  
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=325509 Bug 325509 - add -no-remote switch to disable remote stuff]
*''(On Windows)'' Create [http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/firefox/quicklaunch.htm Windows Quick Launch shortcuts]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=650078 Bug 650078 - -no-remote browser accepts remote commands]
*''(On Windows)'' Use the [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/81 Launchy] extension to open current page in another profile with a customized "launchy.xml" file ([http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/firefox/code/launchy.txt sample]) with -no-remote to start each profile.  (Don't use it to launch your default profile, at least not with -no-remote).  [http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/firefox/firefox.htm#launchy] [http://userstyles.org/styles/13115]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=716110 Bug 716110 - split -new-instance flag out of existing -no-remote flag]
*Use a JSON bookmarkbackups file from your default profile to restore to your test profiles, if you need bookmarks, bookmarklets, or keyword shortcuts (details [[Lost bookmarks#Restoring bookmarks in Firefox 3|here]]).
* Install [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/545 Open Profile Folder] extension at least in your default profile to give you quick access to your Firefox profile data.




[[Category:Profiles]]
[[Category:Profiles]]
[[Category:SeaMonkey]]

Latest revision as of 12:02, 9 October 2013

This article explains how to open multiple instances of your Mozilla application at the same time, using different profiles. It was written for Firefox but also applies to Thunderbird and SeaMonkey 2. Thunderbird users should read Run multiple copies of Thunderbird at the same time for additional information.


When Firefox is running and you try to open another Firefox process, a new window is opened instead, in the already running process. You can use the -no-remote command line option to start a new Firefox process that is invisible to the first process. [1] By using -no-remote along with the -P option to select a different profile, you can open multiple instances of Firefox at the same time, using separate profiles. [2] Selecting a different profile from the one used in the first process is necessary because profiles are "locked" when in use.

Important: Never use -no-remote to start the "default" profile (the one that is set to open without asking when you launch Firefox). That's because when you launch Firefox, for example, by clicking a link in your mail program, you will get a Firefox is already running but is not responding message if the default profile is already in use. The solution is to always start the default profile normally and launch all others with -no-remote. Then it will work. [3]

You can use a shortcut to a specific profile to open Firefox using -no-remote. For example, to open a profile named "My Profile" using -no-remote, enter the following in the Target field of a Windows desktop shortcut (adjust the path, if different):

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P "My Profile" -no-remote 

Note: You can also open the Profile Manager with Firefox already running, by using -P -no-remote without including a profile name.

See also

Related bug reports