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About:Config Preferences Keep Getting Reset

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  • 3 have this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

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I got a new computer and installed Firefox from scratch. The default search engine was set to Yahoo on the new install, but I want to use Google. I'm slightly familiar with About:Config, so I was able to change the settings and it uses Google now, but when I close Firefox and reopen it, the search engine is set back to Yahoo. I don't know what option to change to make Google stick.

I got a new computer and installed Firefox from scratch. The default search engine was set to Yahoo on the new install, but I want to use Google. I'm slightly familiar with About:Config, so I was able to change the settings and it uses Google now, but when I close Firefox and reopen it, the search engine is set back to Yahoo. I don't know what option to change to make Google stick.

All Replies (2)

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If you installed the custom Yahoo! bundle version of Firefox, it's possible that an add-on is reverting the setting. Could you check for and either disable or remove any Yahoo! add-ons here:

orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons > Extensions

Another possible "changes at startup" culprit is a user.js file, which will override changes you make through the interface. Check this article for how to deal with that: How to fix preferences that won't save.

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Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window or otherwise make changes.