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clearing cookies

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  • Last reply by Terry

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I asked this some time ago. "Does clearing cookies in Firefox delete usernames and passwords". The answer i got was no, only if i have a remember me. I`ve tried this again without the remember me box ticked on some sites but it does delete the usernames and passwords. Any further information please?

I asked this some time ago. "Does clearing cookies in Firefox delete usernames and passwords". The answer i got was no, only if i have a remember me. I`ve tried this again without the remember me box ticked on some sites but it does delete the usernames and passwords. Any further information please?

Chosen solution

The purpose of the cookies option in clear recent history is to clear all cookies and discarding the exceptions.
You usually set a specific time frame like the last hour in case there are problems that can't be solved easily otherwise.

What do you mean with: I have to keep signing in to Firefox

Firefox would only show a dialog to enter the Master Password when starting if access to passwords is needed. Sync and opening web pages with a login form and you have stored a name and password can cause this.

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All Replies (20)

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I opened a site, went into tools>page info> permissions, but that site is not included in the list. I haven`t found anything yet that will retain my usernames and passwords when i clear cookies, except don`t clear cookies.

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Tools > Page Info > Permissions works for the page that is opened in the currently selected tab.
The about:permissions page shows the permissions for more domains.

Note that you have to scroll down in the Tools > Page Info > Permissions window below the plugin permissions to find info about cookie settings.

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Thanks, So, what do i do in permissions to ensure that my usernames and passwords are retained when i clear cookies? Do i have to set for each site in my bookmarks?

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Ok another try. In my attachment, to retain usernames and passwords when i clear cookies, do i put all sites into there and select one of block-allow for session-allow. Is that the only way? The simplest is best if possible. Also, if this is so, do i just put the name of the site or other?

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If you remove the tick on the default setting for cookies and select one of the other choices on the right in "Tools > Page Info > Permissions" then Firefox will automatically create an exception that shows in the cookie exceptions window.

This exception is for the domain that is displayed at the top of the Permissions window, so you need to do this manually in case you need an exception for other domains that are used by a website as shown in the Cookie manager.

Note that clearing "Site Preferences" clears all exceptions for cookies, images, pop-up windows, software installation, passwords, and other website specific data.

So in case you are using "Clear history when Firefox closes" or "Clear Recent History" make sure not to clear the Site Preferences.

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RE>>>"

If you remove the tick on the default setting for cookies and select one of the other choices on the right in "Tools > Page Info > Permissions" then Firefox will automatically create an exception that shows in the cookie exceptions window.

This exception is for the domain that is displayed at the top of the Permissions window, so you need to do this manually in case you need an exception for other domains that are used by a website as shown in the Cookie manager.

Note that clearing "Site Preferences" clears all exceptions for cookies, images, pop-up windows, software installation, passwords, and other website specific data.

So in case you are using "Clear history when Firefox closes" or "Clear Recent History" make sure not to clear the Site Preferences."

I did all that manually on many many sites and made sure not to clear the site preferences. I then went to "clear history" clicked clear recent history and clear now, checked for my usernames and passwords and they are all taken off. I`m not using clear history when Firefox closes, only clear recent history when i feel the need to. Now i have to sign in again on all of them and there`s plenty. What now?

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What items did you remove via Clear Recent History?

You can't use "Clear Recent History" to remove Cookies and Site Preferences because that removes them all including cookies with an allow exception and the exceptions themselves.
You can only clear specific cookies manually in the Cookie Manager or let cookies expire when you close Firefox (i.e. make them behave as session cookies).
The latter will keep the cookies with an allow exception and that is the preferred way to cleanup cookies.

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Re>>>

"What items did you remove via Clear Recent History?

You can't use "Clear Recent History" to remove Cookies and Site Preferences because that removes them all including cookies with an allow exception and the exceptions themselves. You can only clear specific cookies manually in the Cookie Manager or let cookies expire when you close Firefox (i.e. make them behave as session cookies). The latter will keep the cookies with an allow exception and that is the preferred way to cleanup cookies." My attachment shows when i cleared recent history, i didn`t check 'site preferences'. So, i should "let cookies expire when you close Firefox (i.e. make them behave as session cookies"?? My original aim was to clear cookies to make the computer faster.

Modified by Terry

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You are clearing the cookies, so websites won't remember you anymore after you have cleared that recent history and you will have to log in again.

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Ok, so don`t check cookies in clear recent history and if i set cookies to expire when i close Firefox i.e. make them behave as session cookies"?? that will do what i want, i.e. clear cookies, is that correct and my usernames and passwords will stay??

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Yes. If you do not clear the cookies, either manually or automatically, but let them expire then websites should remember you if you allow to keep a remember me cookie.

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"you allow to keep a remember me cookie" I take it that`s when i click on remember me where available ?

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"you allow to keep a remember me cookie" I take it that`s when i click on remember me where available ?" Is that true?

Modified by Terry

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Yes, but keep in mind that some websites do not use a checkbox like this forum does, but remember you automatically as long as you keep the cookies. You just have to check if an allow exception works if you log in regularly to a website and want the website to remember you.

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RE>>"

Yes, but keep in mind that some websites do not use a checkbox like this forum does, but remember you automatically as long as you keep the cookies. You just have to check if an allow exception works if you log in regularly to a website and want the website to remember you."

Now, after selecting " Keep until i close Firefox", I have to keep signing in to Firefox Forum, it doesn`t have a "remember me" check box.

Also, what is the real purpose of the cookies option in clear recent history?

Modified by Terry

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Chosen Solution

The purpose of the cookies option in clear recent history is to clear all cookies and discarding the exceptions.
You usually set a specific time frame like the last hour in case there are problems that can't be solved easily otherwise.

What do you mean with: I have to keep signing in to Firefox

Firefox would only show a dialog to enter the Master Password when starting if access to passwords is needed. Sync and opening web pages with a login form and you have stored a name and password can cause this.

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It`s ok, i made an exception for Firefox Forum and it signs in auto.

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Cor-el, thank you for your fine assistance, i`ve finally made progress. Cheers

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You're welcome

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I suspect also that using CC cleaner could be the culprit if cookies are selected?

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