Downloading Firefox via the command line is an efficient way to set up a new system or troubleshoot a machine where the default web browser is missing or broken. Depending on your operating system and technical needs, you can use native tools like or WinGet , or package managers like Chocolatey . 1. Download Using PowerShell (Recommended for Windows)
On modern Windows 10 and 11 systems, the built-in Windows Package Manager () is the fastest method to download and install Firefox in a single step. Install Firefox: winget install -e --id Mozilla.Firefox ``` Use code with caution. download firefox cmd
PowerShell is the most common way to download Firefox on a fresh Windows install without opening a browser. Downloading Firefox via the command line is an
choco install firefox -y ``` The `-y` flag automatically accepts all prompts during the process. ### 4. Native CMD Method (Certutil) If PowerShell is restricted, you can "abuse" the `certutil` tool—a native Windows utility—to download the file: ```cmd certutil -urlcache -split -f "https://download.mozilla.org/?product=firefox-stub" "FirefoxInstaller.exe" ``` ### 5. Downloading on Linux (Terminal) For Linux users, downloading Firefox is typically done through the default package manager. For example, on **Ubuntu/Debian** systems: ```bash sudo apt update sudo apt install firefox ``` Alternatively, you can install the **Snap** version: ```bash sudo snap install firefox ``` ### Comparison of Methods | Method | Tool | Best For | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Direct Download** | PowerShell | Standard Windows setups with no browser. | | **Package Manager** | WinGet | Windows 10/11 users wanting a quick, clean install. | | **Third-Party Manager** | Chocolatey | Developers and power users managing many apps. | | **Legacy/Restricted** | Certutil | Systems where PowerShell is disabled. | Use code with caution. Download and install Mozilla Firefox with winget choco install firefox -y ``` The `-y` flag
If you already use the Chocolatey package manager , you can download and install Firefox with one command: