Q: I use Firefox as my default browser on Windows 10, and recently saw the program crash at random times when idle. Is this related to Microsoft’s decision to prevent Firefox from replacing Edge as the default browser in Windows 11? How can I avoid switching to Edge?

MARK MILLER, White Bear Township, Minn.

A: Your unexpected Firefox crashes on Windows 10 and the difficulty of making Firefox the default web browser on Windows 11 are separate issues.

Last year, Microsoft made it difficult for the average user to replace the Edge browser as the default browser in Windows 11. Users had to open Settings, click Apps and choose “default apps”. From the resulting list, they had to choose a browser other than Edge. They were then presented with a list of every conceivable file type that could be opened in a browser. They had to click on each and select the browser of their choice to open that particular file type. Only then would the browser they wanted become the default browser for Windows 11.

The move drew a lot of criticism, which isn’t surprising given that Edge is the world’s fourth most popular browser (see tinyurl.com/99vd58h3). Microsoft then changed its policy and started developing a one-stop control button that will allow Windows 11 users to switch Edge’s default browser to a non-Microsoft browser. The one-button approach is expected to arrive in a Windows 11 update this year.

There are several reasons why your Firefox Windows 10 browser may crash (stop working) or hang (not responding even though it is still running). -up) or defects in the RAM memory (computer chip) of your PC. (To troubleshoot unexpected Firefox crashes, see tinyurl.com/yk4d6jat).

When Firefox crashes, the problem may be that it is using too much computer chip processing power or too much RAM. These things can be avoided by disabling certain browser add-ons or setting the browser to not download certain types of web content, such as tracking software that monitors your online movements (see tinyurl.com/2p8kwkbz) .

Q: After upgrading to Windows 11, my Comcast emails started getting stuck in the Windows Mail app outbox. I have to restart the PC for them to be sent. Also, the Windows Mail outbox cannot be synchronized with other computers. A technician tried to fix things, but now my return email address (contained in the message) has changed. I can’t change email providers because my email address is on all of my company’s marketing materials. What can I do?

CHRIS FIGENSHAW, Eagan

A: Check where the problem is. Use Comcast’s messaging website (see tinyurl.com/36p3fafv) to send a message. If the email is sent correctly, Comcast email is working and the problem is either in the Comcast-to-Mail app connection or in the Mail app itself.

To test the Comcast-to-Mail app connection, set up a free email account at Gmail, Outlook.com, or Yahoo Mail and use the PC’s Mail app to send a message through the new account. If the message sends, the Comcast-to-Mail app’s connection is the problem (ask Comcast for help.) If the message doesn’t send, the Mail app is at fault (see how the fix at tinyurl.com/2sdb97w6).

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