I don't know if it's a Windows8 thing or what but it seems even if IE is the default browser, if another browser is open, a page launch will go to it instead. I have no idea how it's being launched as it's part of the WiFi click a hotspot "connect" button. This is my first Laptop so it's all new ground.
I prefer to use BrowserBunch because if I switch to another browser all I have to do is add it to the row of buttons. Not configure yet another program.
One thing I did find is if you turn off FF addressbar url trim in about:config then you have to provide the full url on the command line.. with the http:// and the whole nine yards. Otherwise the browser bunch text file read in can have just site.domainsuffix or 3w.site.domainsuffix etc..
Strange that it's so damn picky.