First Time - Cannot Designate Opera (for computers) as the default brower?

A Former User

Hello,
For the first time none of the options to designate Opera as my default browser work - while I think I know the source of the problem, that is all of the versions of Opera and Opera Next installed and saved on this PC running Windows XP_sp3 on a Dell XPSZ, I can't find a work around or a fix?

The help section says if the window to use Opera as the default browser doesn't open up the second time you run the version of Opera, go in via Setting and preferences, Ctrl+F12, go to "Advanced" tab and choose the "programs" from the left hand menu listing, check the box next to "Check if Opera is the default browser on startup" but nothing happens -- one of the older versions of Opera on the computer opens the next time I want this version to open a link from e-mail, or a kindred activity.

This PC+O/S has reached its limits on keeping up with advances in the newer versions of Opera - it will grudgingly open and run them, but at a speed like maple syrup in January - so my current install is Old School Opera, build 12.17.1863 as Opera@USB on a 32 GB USB drive.

The good news is that Opera Turbo can apparently assist the connection speeds with a USB drive without setting off the ISP network foils that have always blocked Opera Turbo in the past when it was on a primary or secondary HDD.

Have tried going into the Windows "Program Access & Defaults" but multiple listings of simply "Opera" are displayed without being able to tell which version or location of Opera is meant -- everything from the DEP blocked historical install of Opera in "C:\Program Files\Opera" to Opera Next, or Opera Stabile 20 all appear with the original Opera icon and no other designation.

Can anyone suggest another way in -- is there an ini file on the C:\Windows drive, or on the USB drive or Opera.ini file in any location which can be edited directly to point to the E:\operausb1217 ?

BTW I have had to resort to the usb versions as even if I try the Opera full install on a USB drive, the Microsoft DEP function shuts it down, something about the opera.exe file modifying the Windows kernel?

Your thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

NotKonradAdenauer
deralter,

A Former User

There's no way to set standalone (USB) Opera as default by "normal" means. By installing standalone option you chose Opera shouldn't touch the system's configs.

You'll have to edit the registry manually. Open regedit and navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\http\shell\open\command

Edit the command to point to Opera's .exe (or launcher.exe for the newest Opera versions above 13).

Do the same for HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\https\shell\open\command and \ftp\

A Former User

MY THANKS, BELATEDLY, AS I HAVE NOT BEEN HERE IN SEVERAL MONTHS - THOUGHT I HAD SETUP TO BE NOTIFIED, BUT YOUR EXPLANATION OF THE LOGIC MAKES ME WANT TO SLAP MY FOREHEAD (GESTURE IN N.A. TO INDICATE MISSING THE OBVIOUS). IF I DON'T HAVE THAT 'USB' PLUGGED INTO THE SYSTEM I KNOW MY WINDOWS O/S IS NOT AS GOOD AS 'H.A.L.' AND WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY LIKE THAT, BUT THANK YOU AGAIN.

DON'T THINK I WILL DO THE SUGGESTED REGISTRY MOD BECAUSE IT DEFEATS MY PURPOSE, AND HAS DRAWBACK NOW WITH 128 GB FLASH DRIVES SELLING FOR ABOUT 60-70 U$ YOU CAN HAVE THE UTILITY OF PREVIOUS cd/dvd FORMATS AND CARRY YOUR COMPUTER WITH YOU, MODIFY MORE EASILY, ETC.

I AM ALSO TRYING OUT THE SO-CALLED "PORTABLEAPPS.COM" (WWW.PORTABLEAPPS.COM) VERSION OF OPERA, FIREFOX, CHROME, SOME OTHER INTERNET UTILITIES - THE UPDATING FUNCTION IS MUCH SMOOTHER.

da