How to Set Up Firefox in Kiosk Mode on Windows Devices? A Step-by-Step Guide

Firefox is an open-source web browser known for the extensive privacy support it provides to its end users. It has a user-friendly interface with robust privacy features like blocking trackers, ads, and malicious websites, which benefit individual users and businesses. 

Businesses prefer Firefox because it allows customization to improve the user interface and supports extensions and add-ons tailored to specific needs. Companies often restrict other applications on corporate devices, allowing only Firefox to run. This can be achieved seamlessly by setting Firefox in kiosk mode on Windows. This ensures a secure and controlled environment that enhances productivity.

This blog highlights the different methods to set up Firefox Kiosk Mode on Windows Devices and acts as a step-by-step guide to run Firefox in Single App Kiosk Mode on Windows With Windows MDM.

Methods to Set Up Firefox in Kiosk Mode on Windows Devices 

Method 1. Add Desktop Shortcut for Mozilla Firefox 

The simplest way to set up Firefox in kiosk mode is to create a shortcut that is easily visible and accessible without requiring technical knowledge. However, users can still make changes to the shortcut settings, which might affect Firefox’s operation in Windows kiosk mode. This method offers limited customization options. 

Step 1: Right-click the ‘Home’ screen of your Windows PC, select ‘New’, and then click the ‘Shortcut’ option. On the new window, add the location to create a shortcut on the device and click ‘Next.’

Rename the newly created shortcut as ‘kiosk’ or anything else you like to identify.

Step 2: Right-click it and select the ‘Properties’ tab from the menu list. “C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe” in the target tab. Click ‘Apply’ and then press ‘Ok’.

Now, Firefox will open in full-screen kiosk mode.

Method 2. Run Firefox in Kiosk Mode Using Shell Script

Another simple method to run kiosk mode with Firefox is to use the Shell script. It offers customization options and flexibility to manage settings.

Step 1: Open Notepad on your PC and type the ‘Run’ command to run Firefox in the following format: “Run, Firefox.exe.’

Step 2: Make Firefox the active window by typing the following command: “Winactive, ahk_exe firefox.exe.”

Step 3: Wait a few seconds to launch the application and press F11 to trigger full-screen mode. Type the command “Sleep 2000” and then Send, {F11}.

Step 4: Save the file and close it. Right-click the notepad icon and select the ‘Run Script’ option. It will take you to the Firefox under kiosk mode.

This method requires technical knowledge because a minor mistake in the script can fail to set the kiosk mode.

Method 3. Using the Command Line

The third way to run kiosk mode with Firefox is through the command line. The command line is a sophisticated way to launch Firefox in kiosk mode directly but is suitable for those familiar with the command-line interface.

Users can quickly exit the kiosk mode by closing the Firefox window. It involves simple steps without any additional tools:

Step 1: On the main window of your device, press the Windows+R keys.

Step 2: Run box will appear. Type ‘cmd’ on the box and press the ‘OK’ button to open it.

Step 3: To launch kiosk mode with Mozilla Firefox, use the “[install directory]\firefox. exe -kiosk” command format.

Method 4. Using Add-ons

It is quite simple to set Firefox in kiosk mode on Windows devices using Firefox add-ons by following the steps below: 

Step 1: Open the Firefox browser, type ‘Firefox add-ons force full,’ and click the first option from the displayed results.

Step 2: Select the ‘Add to Firefox’ option and click ‘Add’ from the displayed pop-up.

Step 3: Close the tab and open Firefox again. It will display Firefox in full-screen mode.

If no password is assigned, users can quickly exit the kiosk mode set with add-ons, but if a password is set, the user needs to add the code to leave it.

While the above methods are suitable for individual device setups, deploying applications across multiple devices requires a centralized approach. MDM solutions offer businesses the ability to manage kiosk mode settings at scale. Admin-set kiosk modes via MDM ensure uniform configuration across devices, prevent unauthorized exits without a designated key, and provide efficient deployment and maintenance of secure kiosk environments throughout the organization, just like client management software helps streamline business processes and workflows.

How to Set Up Firefox in Single App Kiosk Mode on Windows With Scalefusion MDM? 

Scalefusion offers a feature for setting a Windows device in kiosk mode to run Firefox. Follow the steps below to set up kiosk mode and lock down your Windows device to the Firefox browser in a single-app mode in fullscreen.  

Step 1: Add Firefox to your Windows Catalog

Open Application Management from the Scalefusion dashboard. Select Windows App Catalog. Click on Add from the App Store. Search for Mozilla Firefox and add it to the app catalog. Now, push Firefox to all devices from the selected Windows device profile.

Step 2: Create App Configuration

To publish the Firefox app to the Windows device profile, create an install configuration. Click View Details under the app card. Go to the Install Configuration tab and click the CREATE link. Enter all the configuration details and click SAVE to create and install the configuration.

Step 3: Publish App Configuration 

After saving the Install Configuration, the Publish App Configuration window will appear. Choose the device profiles on which you want to publish this configuration and click the Publish button.

Step 4: Create/Edit the Windows Device Profile 

Navigate to the Device Profile section under there Device Profiles and Policies tab on the dashboard. Modify the Windows device profile or create a new one. Enter the profile name and create a new profile.

Step 5: Setting Firefox in Single/Kiosk App Mode

Under the settings tab, navigate to the Single-App Mode section. Select the type of application that needs to be set in single-app mode. Select the Enterprise/Third Party UWP Application as the type of application. Click on Download Script to obtain Firefox’s application ID. Select the user account for which you want to Firefox as a kiosk browser. Click Update Profile to push Firefox in single-app mode to the selected device profile.  

Step 6: Apply Device Profile to Device/User Groups or Devices 

Select the device and user groups and devices on which Firefox needs to be deployed. Click Apply and complete the setup.

You can also follow similar steps to set any browser in kiosk mode for Android devices.

Effortless Windows Kiosk Mode Deployment with Scalefusion MDM

Using the Scalefusion Windows kiosk software, you can now configure the applications you want to deploy on the devices running for restricted browsing without hampering the overall user experience. 

Contact our experts to discover how Scalefusion MDM simplifies Windows device lockdown, or enroll for a 14-day free trial.