clicking on Firefox shortcut icon opens Internet Explorer browser instead.(solved)

When clicking on the mozilla firefox shortcut icon on the desktop or start menu Internet Explorer opens instead, also any links you try to open from programs such as messenger also open in Internet Explorer but in the homepage.
This was a tricky problem even reinstalling firefox didnt really solve it and all the shortcuts pointed to the correct path and firefox was my default Internet Browser.
The correct solution was to fix the Windows OS Default File Association types

You can download them here:
http://malwaretips.com/threads/default-file-association-fixes-windows-xp-vista-7-and-8-tested.12701/

I was using Windows Vista so I did all the registry fixes  like .exe, .com etc and after logging off and on again all was resloved.

Internet Explorer 8 system requirements

Internet Explorer 8 is finally here ,here are the system requirements from Microsoft.

Computer/Processor

Computer with a 233MHz processor or higher (Pentium processor recommended)

Operating System

Windows Vista 32-bit
Windows Vista 64-bit
Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (SP 1) or higher
Windows XP 32-bit with Service Pack 2 (SP 2) or higher
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Windows Server 2003 32-bit with SP 2 or higher
Windows Server 2003 64-bit with SP 2 or higher
Windows Server 2008 32-bit or higher
Windows Server 2008 64-bit or higher

Memory

Windows Vista 32-bit – 512 MB
Windows Vista 64-bit – 512 MB
Windows Vista with SP 1 – 512 MB
Windows XP 32-bit with SP 2 or higher – 64 MB
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition – 128 MB
Windows Server 2003 32-bit with SP 2 or higher – 64 MB
Windows Server 2003 64-bit with SP 2 or higher – 128 MB
Windows Server 2008 32-bit – 512MB
Windows Server 2008 64-bit – 512MB

Display

Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors.

Peripherals

Modem or Internet connection; Microsoft Mouse, Microsoft IntelliMouse, or compatible pointing device

how to change the Internet Explorer 7 default search engine.

Internet Explorer comes by default with the Microsoft live search ,to change it to your favourite one do the following;
While Internet Explorer is open click on the Search Options drop down tab next to the search bar on the right hand side and choose the option Find More Providers , click on your desired search provider and then when prompted click on Add Provider(make sure you also check the option to make it your default search provider).

How to remove the Internet Explorer content advisor password

If the Internet Explorer Content Advisor has been enabled and you want to disable it but you have forgotten the password here is how to reset it.

Click on Start ,Run then type regedit.
Once in regedit navigate to the following key;
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\policies\Ratings
With Ratings selected look in the right pane for the value called Key ,select and delete it ,close regedit.
To disable the Content Advisor go to Internet Options and click on the Content tab then click on the option to disable ,enter a new password when prompted.