Scott Granneman

 Contact | Site Map | Search
HomeWritingPresentationsTeachingWeb DevTech InfoUseful LinksPersonal

Install Mozilla

Download Mozilla from http://www.mozilla.org. Save the download file on your desktop. After it has finished downloading, double-click the installer on your desktop.

install_01_welcome.gif: Install 1: Welcome

This screen introduces the Mozilla installer. Press Next > to continue.

install_02_license.gif: Install: License info

This screen introduces the Mozilla license. Mozilla is open source software, which means that the source code is freely available to examine, and anyone in the world can contribute changes. If you're interested, read the license. It's unlike anything you've ever seen from Microsoft before. Press Accept to continue.

install_03_setup_type.gif: Install: Setup type

This screen allows you to choose how you want to install Mozilla. I always choose Custom, because that gives me maximum control over the installation. Press Next > to continue.

install_04_select_components.gif: Install: Select components

This screen allows you to choose which Mozilla components are installed. I recommend the following:

  • Navigator: Check. Actually, you don't have a choice -- it's checked by default.
  • Mail & Newsgroups: Check. This installs Mozilla Mail, which is a great email program. Even if you don't plan to use Mozilla Mail, it's good to install. If you forward links in Mozilla, Mozilla Mail is used.
  • Chatzilla: Uncheck. Unless you do a lot of Internet chat, you don't need Chatzilla. If you do use IRC a lot, install Chatzilla.
  • Debugger: Check. This component is an excellent Javascript debugger. Even if you don't know Javascript, this is good to have around. If you're not a Web developer, don't bother.
  • Inspector: Check. Again, if you do Web development, this is a necessity. It will help you view the HTML structure of Web pages.
  • Quality Feedback Agent: Check. If Mozilla crashes, this component sends information about the crash back to Mozilla programmers. This can really help make a better browser, so check it!
  • You may see the Personal Security option available. Check it if it's there. Without it, you can't use 128-bit encrypted high security Web sites.

Press Next > to continue.

install_05_select_folder.gif: Install: Select program folder

This screen allows you to select in which folder on the Start menu the links to Mozilla will appear. Press Next > to continue.

install_06_quick_launch.gif: Install: Quick launch

Ever wondered why Internet Explorer opens so fast on Windows? It's because Microsoft loads most of the code for IE while your computer is booting. In an effort to speed up Mozilla launches, Quick Launch preloads Mozilla when you're booting. It'll never be as fast as IE, but then again, Mozilla doesn't control both the Web browser AND the operating system.

Check "Use Quick Launch for faster startup times when possible". Press Next > to continue.

install_07_start_install.gif: Install: Start install

At this point, you're ready to install Mozilla. Press Install to continue.

During the installation, you'll see progress bars fly by. Just sit back and watch. It will look something like this:

install_08_install_progress.gif: Install: Progress

OK, you've installed Mozilla! Now it opens up automatically. As it does, you'll see the Mozilla splash screen:

post_install_01_splash.gif: Post-install: Splash screen

Immediately after the splash scree, you'll be asked if you would like to make Mozilla your default Web browser. I always say Yes, but I really like Mozilla. If you're sure, choose Yes. If you're not sure, choose No. If you change your mind, you can always make it your default later.

post_install_02_defaults.gif: Post-install: Make Mozilla your default

You're still not finished. Now we need to configure Mozilla's preferences.