How can I open multiple instances of the same version of FF?
I understand that if I have multiple profiles, I can run different versions of FF side-by-side (like 3.6 and 4).
However, what I'm interested in is how I can launch multiple instances of the same version of FF (4, for instance) using the same profile. In other words, I want to be able to double-click the desktop icon for FF, and open a new instance, and keep doing that as many times as I want. I don't want to have a different icon and profile for each instance (too much overhead to keep a dozen+ profiles in sync).
I can always launch one FF window instance, and then keep clicking ctrl+N to launch new instances from inside it, which they all share the same profile (as I want). So, basically, I want to be able to do that from my desktop icon, rather than by having to do it with the keyboard ctrl+N sequence.
All Replies (6)
Sorry, you can't do that, the desktop icon of Quick Launch bar icon will get you the "Firefox is already running" alert. Firefox will only run one firefox.exe process per Profile.
But I don't understand why whatever Firefox does when you click ctrl+N can't also be done (with some sort of command-line switch) from a desktop icon?
In other words, I clearly can create many FF instances (even if they are the same FF.exe process) by doing ctrl+n a bunch of times. Why then can't this behavior be done from a desktop icon with some parameters?
As far as I know, FF is the only browser that doesn't directly allow multiple browser instances from desktop icons. IE, Chrome, Safari, Opera, etc... all let me launch a new instance (even if they are all single process and the instances are shared within the process).
Use the -new-window command line switch.
Tried `-new-window` and `-new-window 'about:blank'` and neither of them worked. When I double click the desktop icon the second time, I get the error about Firefox already running. :(
Are you using the -no-remote switch to start Firefox?
Yes, I'm using the -no-remote switch to make sure my FF4 instance has a different profile from my FF 3.6 and FF3.5 installs. So I have one profile for each version.
In my original question, I stated I don't want to have dozens of extra profiles (that I have to keep add-on installs and settings sync'd between), as well dozens of desktop icons, one for each profile...
What I want is a desktop icon that will cause a new instance of the same window (with the same profile) to open up. Basically, I want some command line switch which has the same effect as if I have a window instance already open and I hit ctrl+n.