A Mozilla Firefox update has removed my primary McAfee Secure Search engine from my computer - why, and how do i get it back?
I use the McAfee Security package with their Secure search engine. This was my primary search engine until a recent Mozilla Firefox update. Now this search engine has disappeared entirely from my computer - it is not even showing as an included search engine. I have re-installed McAfee Site Advisor and McAfee Secure Search Engine but its search engine box is now showing as an extra search engine box on the bottom right of my screen. How do I reverse the deletion of my McAfee secure search engine to 'included search engines' on my computer and make it once again my primary search engine? McAfee technicians have attempted to reverse it but failed and say it is a Mozilla Firefox problem. I tried to add the McAfee secure search engine as an add-on but it doesn't exist in the Firefox security search add-ons.
All Replies (4)
You can check for problems caused by a corrupted localstore.rdf file.
It is possible that there is a problem with the file(s) that store the extensions registry.
Delete the extensions.* files (e.g. extensions.sqlite, extensions.ini) and compatibility.ini in the Firefox profile folder to reset the extensions registry.
New files will be created when required.
See "Corrupt extension files":
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_install_themes_or_extensions
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Unable+to+install+add-ons
If you see disabled or not compatible extensions in "Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions" then click the Tools button at the left end side of the Search Bar ("Find Updates" button in older Firefox versions) to check if there is a compatibility update available.
If this hasn't helped then also delete the addons.sqlite file.
Hi cor-el. Gave my mind a few days rest. Decided to delete McAfee Security suite in its entirety then re-installed. Screen looks almost the same as before deletion, i.e. McAfee Secure search still on add-on bar but now sits at left hand side, also there is an additional search engine in top default box - McAfee SiteAdvisor. The reason for these differences is because I sought advice from Plusnet who provide the McAfee Security suite as part of their Plusnet Protect. I think they got confused when they were trying to move the McAfee Secure Search from the add-on bar up to the top search engine box and wrongly added McAfee SiteAdvisor. As the techie guy couldn't reset it he said to get onto Mozilla. I've looked at the link corrupt-localstore.rdf file but am nervous of doing anything because I don't know what it all means. Sorry to be such a pain.
If the search engine you want is not on the list of FF's add-ons, you can't add it. FF used to allow you to add any search engine you wanted.
I inadvertently allowed Mozilla to update to v. 23 and I wish I hadn't. Dogpile was on my list of search engines, it's gone and I haven't been able to figure out how to add it back.
Why did Mozilla change FF to decrease the freedom of choice and ease of use of FF for users?
I would like to be able to add Dogpile to my search engine list and put in in the priority position instead of being forced to use google or yahoo or whatever.
Modified by azure
Hi Azure, good to hear from you on this very sunny day. Wish I could help you with Dogpile but my internet experience is limited. I've realised through this forum and talking to friends who also have firefox that firefox's newest update 23 has messed up a number of areas that they were quite happy with. Had a word with my computer repairer/expert and he is coming next week to have a go - don't hold out much joy though. Will let you know if he can help. So I'm just persevering, using my McAfee Secure Search box bottom right of my computer because this has all the security I need. Thanks again for your imput..