Shortcut to open URL in non default browser Method 1 Right click on the desktop and select New - Shortcut  To force open a URL in Internet Explorer: “C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe” http://url_you_want To force open a URL in Firefox: “C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe” http://url_you_want simply past that into the item location field Method 2   right click on the shortcut you just created and select properties from the popup menu. This should then load the shortcut’s properties page. You now need to type the URL that you wish to open at the end of this field. Leave all the other settings the same for now and that’s the new shortcut done.