Default browser problem

dwlamb — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:49:39 GMT

Outside of `xdg-settings`, `mimeapps.list` and `update-alternatives` where can a system be getting a value for default application?

My system is opening links in Brave browser even though it is not my default browser.

In Sublime Text if I right click on a link and choose the option to open that URL in a browser, Brave browser will open.

In the Java application DBeaver if I am prompted with a software update screen and click to view the details , the system redirects to Brave browser.

In Thunderbird if I click on a web link in an e-mail, it opens in Brave. Refining this functionality in Thunderbird yields an interesting clue. If I navigate to the Preferences section (Menu Edit > Settings scroll down to ‘Files & Attachments’ ) for opening applications `http` and `https` offer choices.

Where is Thunderbird getting the idea Brave is the default browser? Everything else in my system is pointing towards Thorium.

In Brave settings, setting Brave as the default is unchecked. Any *.desktop shortcuts for Brave on the system have the `--no-default-browser-check` flag on the command line syntax.

In `~/.config/mimeapps.list` any values with `thorium-browser.desktop` are closer to the top than `com.brave.Browser.desktop` or `brave-browser.desktop`.

In `update-alternatives` these are the outputs for `gnome-www-browser`, `www-browser` or `x-www-browser`:

Code:

```bash
> sudo update-alternatives --get-selections | grep brow
```
```text
gnome-www-browser auto /usr/bin/thorium-browser
infobrowser auto /usr/bin/info
www-browser auto /usr/bin/thorium-browser
x-www-browser auto /usr/bin/thorium-browser
```

Code:

```bash
xdg-settings check default-web-browser thorium-browser.desktop
yes
```

Code:

```bash
> sudo update-alternatives --config gnome-www-browser
```
```text
There are 4 choices for the alternative gnome-www-browser (providing /usr/bin/gnome-www-browser).

Selection Path Priority Status
------------------------------------------------------------
* 0 /usr/bin/thorium-browser 200 auto mode
1 /usr/bin/brave-browser-stable 10 manual mode
2 /usr/bin/thorium-browser 200 manual mode
3 /usr/bin/waterfox 40 manual mode
```

Code:

```bash
> sudo update-alternatives --config x-www-browser
```
```text
There are 3 choices for the alternative x-www-browser (providing /usr/bin/x-www-browser).

Selection Path Priority Status
------------------------------------------------------------
* 0 /usr/bin/thorium-browser 200 auto mode
1 /usr/bin/brave-browser-stable 100 manual mode
2 /usr/bin/thorium-browser 200 manual mode
3 /usr/bin/waterfox 40 manual mode

Press  to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number:
```

Code:

```bash
sudo update-alternatives --config www-browser
```
```text
There are 2 choices for the alternative www-browser (providing /usr/bin/www-browser).

Selection Path Priority Status
------------------------------------------------------------
* 0 /usr/bin/thorium-browser 200 auto mode
1 /usr/bin/brave-browser-stable 10 manual mode
2 /usr/bin/thorium-browser 200 manual mode

Press  to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number:
```

Will we be able to dump snap forever?

Gromm — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:44:26 GMT

Hello,

I am very happy with this for my Kubuntu 24.04 installation. https://www.kubuntuforums.net/forum/...et-rid-of-snap
However, I also read lots of messages about further integration of snap into the newer Ubuntu-family versions. This in such a way it might break your system if you remove it.
What will the future look like?

Kubuntu Forums - Post-Installation

Default browser problem

Will we be able to dump snap forever?