Running multiple versions of Fx simultaneously

[Tom T.]

Normally, running more than one version of Fx at any one time, portable or otherwise, ranges from difficult (VM, config tricks, etc.) to impossible.

I use Fx 3.6.25 (native install) and, atm, Fx 9.01 from PortableApps.com

Just recently stumbled on the fact that with a simple change to an .ini file in the Portable (see the Readme inside it), one can run the native and the portable at the same time. So I can browse with both supported versions, Fx 3.6.x and 9.x, tile them side-by-side, and see how any issue, site, etc. displays on each, comparing in real time. Cool.

Of course, MZ tells us that 3.6.x will be put to rest in April 2012.
Even so, this could have multiple uses: Install Aurora, Nightly, whatever, on your HD, and use the latest stable release from PortableApps. Running them side-by-side could highlight any differences in appearance, behavior, etc., even for those who aren't troubleshooting an issue (or for those who troubleshoot issues officially ).

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Now that my lawyer is happy, does anyone think this is useful/worthwhile/interesting/garbage?

[dhouwn]

The "-no-remote" parameter or the MOZ_NO_REMOTE env variable make this possible too, in fact it also works with just one installation (but of course different profiles). I work like this al the time, I have separate profiles for work/non-work stuff and often run them simultaneously.

[therube]

The "-no-remote" parameter or the MOZ_NO_REMOTE

Indeed.

I run ChatZilla using FF as its back end.
cZ (FF) is started with -no-remote. Otherwise I'd never be able to open any "regular" FF instance (not that I do it much anyhow).

And ditto with SeaMonkey.
One instance is always opened normally, the rest are -no-remote using some other Profile(s).

Opening a new instance of your Mozilla application with another profile

Oh, & I keep different icons on my desktop to open specific browser versions with specific Profiles. Can make it easier. (Not unknown for incompatibilities to exist between browser versions, where opening the same Profile with an older/newer browser could break things or cause data loss.)

Then I also have various other batch files that I'll use to start a browser from a command line. (Most often I have downloaded/extracted a particular build, so I am in that directory, then I'll use my "noremote.bat" to fire up <seamonkey>. While also providing me the option to pass other parameters like -safe-mode.)

noremote

Code: Select all

seamonkey -no-remote %1 %2 %3

safemode

Code: Select all

seamonkey -safe-mode %1 %2 %3

[Tom T.]

The title of the linked article alone indicates it does not pertain to this topic:

Opening a new instance of your Mozilla application with another profile

Note that "application" is singular.

From the article:

multiple instances of your Mozilla application at the same time, using different profiles.

Please re-read the OP.

It doesn't refer to running *the same app* with *a different profile*.
It refers to running *two different apps* simultaneously, each being a different version of Firefox.

E. g., 3.6 and 9.x.
Or 9.x and 11a.x

If that can be done with the command-line parameter specified, I didn't see it in the article. Please point it out.

.... in fact it also works with just one installation (but of course different profiles). I work like this al the time, I have separate profiles for work/non-work stuff and often run them simultaneously.

Apparently, *only* with one installation. Again, if there's another resource for running different versions at the same time, without VM, etc., please point to it.

The title and OP have been edited to remove "instances" (of the same installation). Thank you both for that input.

[therube]

I don't know that there is a specific article on "-no-remote", but in any case using it will allow you to work just as you described; either the same app with different Profiles, or different apps, different versions simultaneously, or even multiple of each method - all at the same time.

Do it all the time.


(Right-click, View Image, or right-click, center-click View Image, depending on your browser )

[dhouwn]

I am also using a similar setup on my Win7 installation among other things because until recently the task-bar icons of processes of the same installation would get combined even when running different profiles (bug 577867). So I am now e.g. using Firefox Aurora for my leisure profile while the profile for the serious stuff runs on Firefox Beta (where I have added stability), and thanks to "-no-remote" I can run them at the same time (but links from other applications/the OS will then only open in den non-no-remoted default profile as per profiles.ini).

[therube]

Win7 installation among other things because until recently the task-bar icons of processes of the same installation would get combined even when running different profiles

(W7, well, we won't go there.) This may help, 7 Taskbar Tweaker. (An excellent utility in any case.)


Also, (in SeaMonkey) you could change the icon of individual "versions" such that each version displays its own specific taskbar icon. (Suppose something similar could be done with FF?)

In SeaMonkey it would be here, \SeaMonkey\chrome\icons\default\main-window.ico. Just replace main-window.ico with whatever you want, renamed as main-window.ico.

(Oh, I don't "group" icons at all, at any time.)

[therube]

A couple recent bugs:

Bug 650078 - -no-remote browser accepts remote commands

Bug 716110 - split -new-instance flag out of existing -no-remote flag

[Tom T.]

Thanks for the tip about the -no-remote command line parameter, Yes, now I can run two *native* installs, different versions, simultaneously. Two firefox.exe processes show in TaskManager. Cool.

Firefox Help is a PITA to search, and couldn't find that info there before posting this. Hence, turned to the Portables to find a way to run two versions.

So the point of OP was that the *portable*, with one simple .ini edit, runs simultaneously, by clicking your shortcut or whatever, without any need for extra parameters. Hoped someone might find that useful, but it was worth it to get the no-remote tip. Thanks all.