How to Disable or Change the URL of the "My Netscape" Button

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A Note about Communicator 4.5+

If you are using Communicator 4.5 or higher, when you set the "prefs.js" file to read only, Netscape will generate errors [including Dr. Watson errors on WindowsNT] when you exit the application.
I have not determined the exact cause of these errors and it does not occur with lower versions of the 4.x browser, including Navigator 4.08.
You can work around this problem by using a batch file to copy a "clean" version of the "prefs.js" file to the Users directory. See how to Automatically Copy Preferences for a method to do that.

Netscape Navigator/Communicator Version 4.x includes a "My Netscape" button on the Tool Bar. This button, when clicked, takes a user to a page at Netscape's web site. Many libraries would like the option of changing the URL or disabling the button entirely. This change is very easy to make. You also have the option of changing the look of the button back to the "old" Guide button. If you are not familiar with editing the prefs.js file, please look at How to Change the URL of the Netscape Tool Bar Search Button first. You will use the same method of editing the prefs.js file explained in the article.

Note: This change makes use of Navigator's prefs.js file. Once this file is set to read-only, it will not register any future changes made to the Navigator preferences. If you need to make changes, make sure to turn off the read-only property before you do so.

STEP 1
Open up Notepad:
Find the file prefs.js in the Netscape Users Directory -- typically, you'll find it in c:/Program Files/Netscape/Users/Default/prefs.js -- and open it up.

STEP 2
Add the following line before the first user_pref entry:
config("toolbar.places.default_url","Your URL here");
example: config("toolbar.places.default_url" ,"http://waterford.lib.mi.us/");

You can leave the URL blank or insert the "home page" URL so the users will just be redirected back to your home page - or whatever page you select - your preference!

STEP 3
Once your done with your adjustments, save the file.

STEP 4
Now, open up Windows Explorer and find the prefs.js file again.

STEP 5
Open up the Properties and select the read-only box.

You're done!

Now, whenever a user clicks on the "My Netscape" Button, the button will either be disabled or they will be taken to the URL of your choosing!

Changing the Look of the "My Netscape" Button
Do you prefer the look of the "old" Guide button to the "My Netscape" button?
Here's how to make the change:

STEP 1
Add the following to your prefs.js file:

config("browser.chrome.useGuideButton", true);

You'll still need to include this line to redirect the URL:

config("toolbar.places.default_url","");

Reference Links
• Netscape Communicator Preferences

Written by Andrew Mutch.
Do you have a comment or question?
Last Updated May 18, 2001.
This page was created on January 21, 2000.