Shortcut to a specific profile: Difference between revisions

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#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''', 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 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.''' Even though you can have '''spaces in a profile name''' it is not a good idea as there are instances where you need to specify a profile name but cannot enclose them in quotes such as in l[http://gemal.dk/mozilla/launchy.html launchy.xml]  used by by the "[https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/81 Launchy] " extension.
#Click OK to exit the Properties window.
#Click OK to exit the Properties window.



Revision as of 02:23, 22 February 2010


This article explains how to start your Mozilla application with any profile listed in the Profile Manager. (To start Firefox, Thunderbird or SeaMonkey 2 with a profile that isn't listed in the Profile Manager, see Starting your Mozilla application with a specified 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. You can use one of these methods:
    • Right-click an existing desktop 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" shortcut icon will appear on the desktop.
    • Go to the Windows Start menu and select "All Programs -> Mozilla Firefox". Right-click on the Mozilla Firefox icon and select "Send To -> Desktop (create shortcut)".
    • 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. Even though you can have spaces in a profile name it is not a good idea as there are instances where you need to specify a profile name but cannot enclose them in quotes such as in llaunchy.xml used by by the "Launchy " extension.
  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 "Start" button and select "Run". If "Run" does not appear on the Windows Start menu, press {Windows key+R} to open the Run box (details here). In the Run box, type the following in the "Open:" field, then click "OK". Note that there is a space before and after -P.

  • firefox.exe -P "Default User"

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\Firefox3\firefox.exe" -P "Default User"

See also