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the "delete recent history" option in Firefox menu bar does not highlight when I click on it so I can't use it.

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Only the "view history sidebar" button is highlighted in the menu when I click on "HISTORY" in the three-line menu in Firefox. Why can't I activate the "clear recent history" option when I click on it? My Operating System is Windows 8.1.

Only the "view history sidebar" button is highlighted in the menu when I click on "HISTORY" in the three-line menu in Firefox. Why can't I activate the "clear recent history" option when I click on it? My Operating System is Windows 8.1.

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Is the text "Clear Recent History" gray instead of black? (or faded compared with the normal menu color if you have a different color scheme)

If it's not grayed/faded, does the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete work to call it up?


If no methods of access work, could you check whether you are using automatic private browsing mode? Usually you can see that on the Options page, Privacy panel:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options

In the left column, click Privacy. On the right side, if you have either of these, then you are using automatic private browsing:

  • "Firefox will: Never remember history"
  • "Firefox will: Use custom settings for history" + there's a checkmark in the box for "Always use private browsing mode"

Some history-related functions are not available in private mode.

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Is the text "Clear Recent History" gray instead of black? (or faded compared with the normal menu color if you have a different color scheme)

If it's not grayed/faded, does the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete work to call it up?


If no methods of access work, could you check whether you are using automatic private browsing mode? Usually you can see that on the Options page, Privacy panel:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options

In the left column, click Privacy. On the right side, if you have either of these, then you are using automatic private browsing:

  • "Firefox will: Never remember history"
  • "Firefox will: Use custom settings for history" + there's a checkmark in the box for "Always use private browsing mode"

Some history-related functions are not available in private mode.