Shortcut to a specific profile: Difference between revisions

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''This article explains how to start your Mozilla application with a specific profile that is listed in the [[Profile Manager]].  If your Firefox or Thunderbird profile is not listed in the Profile Manager, see  [[Starting Firefox or Thunderbird with a specified profile]].  To open multiple instances of Firefox at the same time using different profiles, see [[Opening a new instance of Firefox with another profile]].''
When you create multiple [[profile folder |profiles]] for Firefox, Thunderbird or Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey,  the last selected profile for that Mozilla application is automatically used, unless you uncheck the "Don't ask at startup" option in the [[Profile Manager]].  You can use one of the methods given below to start your Mozilla application with the profile of your choice, instead of going through the Profile Manager each time you want to change profiles.   
When you create multiple [[profile folder |profiles]] for Firefox, Thunderbird or Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey,  the last selected profile for that Mozilla application is automatically used, unless you uncheck the "Don't ask at startup" option in the [[Profile Manager]].  You can use one of the methods given below to start your Mozilla application with the profile of your choice, instead of going through the Profile Manager each time you want to change profiles.   
Note: If you want to start  Firefox or Thunderbird with a profile that is not listed in the Profile Manager, see the article [[Starting Firefox or Thunderbird with a specified profile]].


==Desktop shortcut==
==Desktop shortcut==
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''This  applies to Windows operating systems.''
''This  applies to Windows operating systems.''


You can create a [[Profile_Manager#Shortcut_to_a_specific_profile |shortcut to a specific profile]] on the Windows desktop or other location as follows.
You can create a shortcut to a specific profile on the Windows desktop or other location as follows.


(Using Firefox as an example)
(Using Firefox as an example)
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#First, create a new shortcut to Mozilla Firefox, using one of these methods:
#First, create a new shortcut to Mozilla Firefox, using one of these methods:
#*Right-click an existing desktop shortcut (or Windows Start menu shortcut) icon for Mozilla Firefox and select "Copy", then right-click a blank spot on the desktop and select "Paste".  A "Copy of Mozilla Firefox" icon will appear.
#*Right-click an existing desktop shortcut (or Windows Start menu shortcut) icon for Mozilla Firefox and select "Copy", then right-click a blank spot on the desktop and select "Paste".  A "Copy of Mozilla Firefox" icon will appear.
#*Go to the Firefox installation directory (usually <tt>C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox</tt>), right-click the file "firefox.exe" and select the option "Create shortcut", then drag the new shortcut to the desktop (or other location).
#*Go to the Firefox installation directory (usually ''C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox''), right-click the file "firefox.exe" and select the option "Create shortcut", then drag the new shortcut to the desktop (or other location).
#Next, right-click the new shortcut, select "Rename" and  type in a new name for the shortcut.  For example, name the shortcut "Mozilla Firefox - My Profile", if you are planning to use it to open Firefox with a profile named My Profile.
#Next, right-click the new shortcut, select "Rename" and  type in a new name for the shortcut.  For example, name the shortcut "Mozilla Firefox - Default User", if you are planning to use it to open Firefox with a profile named Default User.
#Right-click the shortcut again and select "Properties".   
#Right-click the shortcut again and select "Properties".   
#Go to the Shortcut tab and place the cursor at the end of the path inside the Target box, as shown in the image.
#Go to the Shortcut tab and place the cursor at the end of the path inside the Target box, as shown in the image.
#Click once (so that the path is no longer highlighted) then add a space,  then type '''-P''', another space, then the name of the profile enclosed in quotes (the profile name is case-sensitive) as shown in the example below.
#Click once (so that the path is no longer highlighted) then add a space,  then type '''-P''', add another space, then type the name of the profile enclosed in quotes if the name contains spaces, as shown in the example below. '''The profile name is case-sensitive.'''
#Click OK to exit the Properties window.
#Click OK to exit the Properties window.


'''Shortcut target example:'''
Using Firefox and a profile named 'Default User as an example,  the Target field should look like this, for a typical Firefox installation:


Using Firefox and a profile named My Profile as an example,  the Target field should look like this:
  "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P "Default User"
  "<tt>C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P "My Profile"</tt>


==Command line option==
==Command line option==
You can use the <tt>-P "<profile name>"</tt> [[command line arguments|command line option]] to start your Mozilla application with a specific profile.  Using a  Firefox profile named ''default'' as an example:
You can use the ''-P "<profile name>"'' [[command line arguments|command line option]] to start your Mozilla application with a specific profile.  Using a  Firefox profile named Default User as an example:


===Windows===
===Windows===
Click the Windows "Start" button, select "Run" and type the following in the "Open:" field,  then click 'OK":
Click the Windows "Start" button, select "Run" and type the following in the "Open:" field,  then click "OK".   Note: If the Run command does not appear on the Windows Start menu, press {Windows key+R} to open the Run box (details [http://blogs.msdn.com/tims/archive/2006/09/18/windows-vista-secret-3-bringing-back-start-run.aspx here]).
<tt>firefox.exe -P "default"</tt>
* firefox.exe -P "Default User"
'''Note:''' On Windows Vista, you can press "Windows key+R" to open the "Run" box if you have not enabled the Run command on the Start menu (details [http://blogs.msdn.com/tims/archive/2006/09/18/windows-vista-secret-3-bringing-back-start-run.aspx here]).
Note that there is a space before and after '''-P'''.  For zip builds or if you have more than one Firefox installation, use the full path to firefox.exe, enclosed in quotes, for example:
*"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P "Default User"




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

Revision as of 15:36, 25 May 2008

This article explains how to start your Mozilla application with a specific profile that is listed in the Profile Manager. If your Firefox or Thunderbird profile is not listed in the Profile Manager, see Starting Firefox or Thunderbird with a specified profile. To open multiple instances of Firefox at the same time using different profiles, see Opening a new instance of Firefox with another profile.


When you create multiple profiles for Firefox, Thunderbird or Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey, the last selected profile for that Mozilla application is automatically used, unless you uncheck the "Don't ask at startup" option in the Profile Manager. You can use one of the methods given below to start your Mozilla application with the profile of your choice, instead of going through the Profile Manager each time you want to change profiles.

Desktop shortcut

This applies to Windows operating systems.

You can create a shortcut to a specific profile on the Windows desktop or other location as follows.

(Using Firefox as an example)

  1. First, create a new shortcut to Mozilla Firefox, using one of these methods:
    • Right-click an existing desktop shortcut (or Windows Start menu shortcut) icon for Mozilla Firefox and select "Copy", then right-click a blank spot on the desktop and select "Paste". A "Copy of Mozilla Firefox" icon will appear.
    • Go to the Firefox installation directory (usually C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox), right-click the file "firefox.exe" and select the option "Create shortcut", then drag the new shortcut to the desktop (or other location).
  2. Next, right-click the new shortcut, select "Rename" and type in a new name for the shortcut. For example, name the shortcut "Mozilla Firefox - Default User", if you are planning to use it to open Firefox with a profile named Default User.
  3. Right-click the shortcut again and select "Properties".
  4. Go to the Shortcut tab and place the cursor at the end of the path inside the Target box, as shown in the image.
  5. Click once (so that the path is no longer highlighted) then add a space, then type -P, add another space, then type the name of the profile enclosed in quotes if the name contains spaces, as shown in the example below. The profile name is case-sensitive.
  6. Click OK to exit the Properties window.

Using Firefox and a profile named 'Default User as an example, the Target field should look like this, for a typical Firefox installation:

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P "Default User"

Command line option

You can use the -P "<profile name>" command line option to start your Mozilla application with a specific profile. Using a Firefox profile named Default User as an example:

Windows

Click the Windows "Start" button, select "Run" and type the following in the "Open:" field, then click "OK". Note: If the Run command does not appear on the Windows Start menu, press {Windows key+R} to open the Run box (details here).

  • firefox.exe -P "Default User"

Note that there is a space before and after -P. For zip builds or if you have more than one Firefox installation, use the full path to firefox.exe, enclosed in quotes, for example:

  • "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P "Default User"