Firefox will not save my update settings
I choose to "check for updates but let me choose when to install...". Whenever a new update comes out (or any other time it feels like it) my choice is changed and the update is made. I do not want this to happen but the browser keeps changing my settings. What is going on with FF. I use to love it but it's become a nightmare. How can I stop all these changes being made?
All Replies (20)
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save
Settings Guard for Firefox {web link} Detects and resets changes to settings that are frequently done by add-ons and application installers.
When "check for updates but let me choose when to install..." is set, it is real easy to miss seeing the notification of the update being available. That message is too easily hidden behind the main browser window if the user happens to be typing in Firefox or even clicking on a hyperlink; and when that happens Firefox only waits 30 seconds for the user to respond with "not now" to postpone the update. After that 30 seconds Firefox just proceeds with installing the update due to lack of user response to that message.
Firefox checks for updates once a day, on the first launch of the day, and approximately 120 seconds after launch is when Firefox looks to the update server.
This is still happening. Tried the add-on.
Just happened again. My setting were saved for awhile. Then BAM, when I started Firefox today it automatically updated everything, couldn't stop it. None of the above worked. WTH FF? I used to love you. :(
imcathypete said
when I started Firefox today it automatically updated everything
What is being updated? Or are the settings being changed? What Firefox are you using? Normal, Beta, something else? What is the version now?
Type about:support in the address bar and press Enter. Under the main banner, press the button; Copy Text To Clipboard.. Then in the reply box at the bottom of this page, do a right click in the box and select Paste. This will show us your system details. No Personal Information Is Collected.
After you have done the above;
You may have ad / mal-ware. Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
FF version 38.0.5
The browser was updated. The setting were set to check for updates but to let me choose whether to install.
Application Basics
Name: Firefox Version: 38.0.5 Build ID: 20150525141253 Update Channel: release User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:38.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/38.0 Multiprocess Windows: 0/1 (default: false)
Crash Reports for the Last 3 Days
All Crash Reports
Extensions
Name: Adblock Plus Version: 2.6.9.1-signed Enabled: true ID: {d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}
Name: Avira Browser Safety Version: 1.4.9 Enabled: true ID: abs@avira.com
Name: Logitech Device Detection Version: 1.24.0.9 Enabled: true ID: DeviceDetection@logitech.com
Name: Logitech SetPoint Version: 6.5 Enabled: true ID: {F003DA68-8256-4b37-A6C4-350FA04494DF}
Name: Pin It Button Version: 1.35 Enabled: true ID: jid1-YcMV6ngYmQRA2w@jetpack
Name: Settings Guard for Firefox Version: 0.5.1-signed Enabled: true ID: settings-guard@mozilla.com
Name: FastAccess Web Login Version: 1.12 Enabled: false ID: fassoxpcom@sensiblevision.com
Name: Flashblock Version: 1.5.18.1-signed Enabled: false ID: {3d7eb24f-2740-49df-8937-200b1cc08f8a}
Name: Skype Click to Call Version: 7.4.0.9058 Enabled: false ID: {82AF8DCA-6DE9-405D-BD5E-43525BDAD38A}
Graphics
Adapter Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family Adapter Description (GPU #2): NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M Adapter Drivers: igdumd64 igd10umd64 igd10umd64 igdumdx32 igd10umd32 igd10umd32 Adapter Drivers (GPU #2): nvd3dumx,nvwgf2umx,nvwgf2umx nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um Adapter RAM: Unknown Adapter RAM (GPU #2): 3072 ClearType Parameters: Gamma: 2200 Pixel Structure: R ClearType Level: 0 Enhanced Contrast: 400 Device ID: 0x0116 Device ID (GPU #2): 0x0dcd DirectWrite Enabled: false (6.2.9200.17292) Driver Date: 3-6-2011 Driver Date (GPU #2): 3-13-2015 Driver Version: 8.15.10.2321 Driver Version (GPU #2): 9.18.13.4788 GPU #2 Active: false GPU Accelerated Windows: 1/1 Direct3D 11 (OMTC) Subsys ID: 04b81028 Subsys ID (GPU #2): 04b81028 Vendor ID: 0x8086 Vendor ID (GPU #2): 0x10de WebGL Renderer: Google Inc. -- ANGLE (Intel(R) HD Graphics Family Direct3D9Ex vs_3_0 ps_3_0) windowLayerManagerRemote: true AzureCanvasBackend: skia AzureContentBackend: cairo AzureFallbackCanvasBackend: cairo AzureSkiaAccelerated: 0
Important Modified Preferences
browser.cache.disk.capacity: 358400 browser.cache.disk.smart_size.first_run: false browser.cache.disk.smart_size.use_old_max: false browser.cache.frecency_experiment: 1 browser.download.importedFromSqlite: true browser.places.smartBookmarksVersion: 7 browser.sessionstore.upgradeBackup.latestBuildID: 20150525141253 browser.startup.homepage: https://login.yahoo.com/config/mail?&.src=ym&.intl=sg browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID: 20150525141253 browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone: 38.0.5 extensions.lastAppVersion: 38.0.5 media.gmp-eme-adobe.lastUpdate: 1434420186 media.gmp-eme-adobe.version: 11 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.lastUpdate: 1434204375 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.version: 1.4 media.gmp-manager.buildID: 20150525141253 media.gmp-manager.lastCheck: 1434421349 network.cookie.prefsMigrated: true network.predictor.cleaned-up: true places.database.lastMaintenance: 1434420185 places.history.expiration.transient_current_max_pages: 104858 plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types: application/pdf plugin.importedState: true privacy.sanitize.migrateFx3Prefs: true privacy.sanitize.timeSpan: 0
user.js Preferences
Your profile folder contains a user.js file, which includes preferences that were not created by Firefox.
Important Locked Preferences
JavaScript
Incremental GC: true
Accessibility
Activated: false Prevent Accessibility: 0
Library Versions
NSPR Expected minimum version: 4.10.8 Version in use: 4.10.8
NSS Expected minimum version: 3.18.1 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.18.1 Basic ECC
NSSSMIME Expected minimum version: 3.18.1 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.18.1 Basic ECC
NSSSSL Expected minimum version: 3.18.1 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.18.1 Basic ECC
NSSUTIL Expected minimum version: 3.18.1 Version in use: 3.18.1
Experimental Features
Modified by imcathypete
Just did it again today. I've had it with this browser. No -one seems to have a clue.
FredMcD said
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save
Have you read this yet? You have a user.js file.
The prefs.js file stores customized user preference settings, such as changes you make in Firefox Options dialogs. The optional user.js file, if one exists, will override any modified preferences.
Yes, I have read this. OK, I looked and couldn't find it again. I must be looking in the wrong place. There is no file named user.js when I open it.
The browser is saving the settings or appears to be, that isn't the problem. Things will be going fine until one day I open the browser and it automatically updates to a new version. There's no way of know when it's going to suddenly ignore my settings. I'm guessing it's when they put out a new update. Very frustrating.
Modified by imcathypete
Type about:support in the address bar and press enter.
Under the page logo on the left side you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To it’s right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.
Locate the prefs.js file and user.js file. Then rename or delete it. Restart Firefox.
You can use this button to go to the current Firefox profile folder:
- Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder (Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder)
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
Windows hides some file extensions by default. Among them .html and .ini and .js and .txt, so you may only see a file name without file extension. You can see the real file type (file extension) in the properties of the file via the right-click context menu in Windows Explorer.
Can you post the content of the user.js file?
I have spent an hour going by the instructions in both your posts. I have found no "user or user.js" in that profile. I've a search, nothing. I did find a prefs (no .js) and deleted it and restarted.
Do you still have a user.js Preferences section on the "Help > Troubleshooting Information" page?
user.js Preferences Your profile folder contains a user.js file, which includes preferences that were not created by Firefox.
There's a section called "Important Modified Preferences" Is this what you mean?
No, the user.js Preferences section when present is directly below the "Important Modified Preferences" section. You can see that is your above reply with the troubleshooting information.
No, it's not listed. The next item after it is "Important Locked Preferences"
imcathypete said
. . . . . . . . . . network.predictor.cleaned-up: true places.database.lastMaintenance: 1434420185 places.history.expiration.transient_current_max_pages: 104858 plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types: application/pdf plugin.importedState: true privacy.sanitize.migrateFx3Prefs: true privacy.sanitize.timeSpan: 0 user.js Preferences Your profile folder contains a user.js file, which includes preferences that were not created by Firefox. Important Locked Preferences JavaScript . . . . . . . . . . . .
Modified by FredMcD
Application Basics
Name: Firefox Version: 39.0 Build ID: 20150630154324 Update Channel: release User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:39.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/39.0 Multiprocess Windows: 0/1 (default: false)
Crash Reports for the Last 3 Days
All Crash Reports
Extensions
Name: Adblock Plus Version: 2.6.9.1-signed Enabled: true ID: {d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}
Name: Avira Browser Safety Version: 1.4.10 Enabled: true ID: abs@avira.com
Name: Logitech Device Detection Version: 1.24.0.9 Enabled: true ID: DeviceDetection@logitech.com
Name: Logitech SetPoint Version: 6.5 Enabled: true ID: {F003DA68-8256-4b37-A6C4-350FA04494DF}
Name: Pin It Button Version: 1.35 Enabled: true ID: jid1-YcMV6ngYmQRA2w@jetpack
Name: Settings Guard for Firefox Version: 0.5.1-signed Enabled: true ID: settings-guard@mozilla.com
Name: FastAccess Web Login Version: 1.12 Enabled: false ID: fassoxpcom@sensiblevision.com
Name: Flashblock Version: 1.5.18.1-signed Enabled: false ID: {3d7eb24f-2740-49df-8937-200b1cc08f8a}
Name: Skype Click to Call Version: 7.4.0.9058 Enabled: false ID: {82AF8DCA-6DE9-405D-BD5E-43525BDAD38A}
Graphics
Adapter Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family Adapter Description (GPU #2): NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M Adapter Drivers: igdumd64 igd10umd64 igd10umd64 igdumdx32 igd10umd32 igd10umd32 Adapter Drivers (GPU #2): nvd3dumx,nvwgf2umx,nvwgf2umx nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um Adapter RAM: Unknown Adapter RAM (GPU #2): 3072 Asynchronous Pan/Zoom: none ClearType Parameters: Gamma: 2200 Pixel Structure: R ClearType Level: 0 Enhanced Contrast: 400 Device ID: 0x0116 Device ID (GPU #2): 0x0dcd DirectWrite Enabled: false (6.2.9200.17292) Driver Date: 3-6-2011 Driver Date (GPU #2): 3-13-2015 Driver Version: 8.15.10.2321 Driver Version (GPU #2): 9.18.13.4788 GPU #2 Active: false GPU Accelerated Windows: 1/1 Direct3D 11 (OMTC) Subsys ID: 04b81028 Subsys ID (GPU #2): 04b81028 Vendor ID: 0x8086 Vendor ID (GPU #2): 0x10de WebGL Renderer: Google Inc. -- ANGLE (Intel(R) HD Graphics Family Direct3D9Ex vs_3_0 ps_3_0) windowLayerManagerRemote: true AzureCanvasBackend: skia AzureContentBackend: cairo AzureFallbackCanvasBackend: cairo AzureSkiaAccelerated: 0
Important Modified Preferences
browser.cache.disk.capacity: 358400 browser.cache.disk.filesystem_reported: 1 browser.cache.disk.smart_size.first_run: false browser.cache.disk.smart_size.use_old_max: false browser.cache.frecency_experiment: 4 browser.download.importedFromSqlite: true browser.places.smartBookmarksVersion: 7 browser.search.update: false browser.sessionstore.upgradeBackup.latestBuildID: 20150630154324 browser.startup.homepage: https://login.yahoo.com/?.src=ym&.intl=us&.lang=en-US&.done=https%3a//mail.yahoo.com browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID: 20150630154324 browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone: 39.0 browser.tabs.warnOnClose: false dom.mozApps.used: true extensions.lastAppVersion: 39.0 media.gmp-eme-adobe.lastUpdate: 1436834850 media.gmp-eme-adobe.version: 11 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.lastUpdate: 1436834852 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.version: 1.4 media.gmp-manager.buildID: 20150630154324 media.gmp-manager.lastCheck: 1437244103 network.cookie.prefsMigrated: true network.predictor.cleaned-up: true places.database.lastMaintenance: 1436978452 places.history.expiration.transient_current_max_pages: 104858 plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types: application/pdf plugin.importedState: true privacy.donottrackheader.enabled: true privacy.sanitize.migrateFx3Prefs: true privacy.sanitize.timeSpan: 0 storage.vacuum.last.index: 0 storage.vacuum.last.places.sqlite: 1436842426
Important Locked Preferences
JavaScript
Incremental GC: true
Accessibility
Activated: false Prevent Accessibility: 0
Library Versions
NSPR Expected minimum version: 4.10.8 Version in use: 4.10.8
NSS Expected minimum version: 3.19.2 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.19.2 Basic ECC
NSSSMIME Expected minimum version: 3.19.2 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.19.2 Basic ECC
NSSSSL Expected minimum version: 3.19.2 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.19.2 Basic ECC
NSSUTIL Expected minimum version: 3.19.2 Version in use: 3.19.2
Experimental Features
Your System Details list also shows a Settings Guard for Firefox that might be protecting this setting.
Windows hides some file extensions by default. Among them .html and .ini and .js and .txt, so you may only see a file name without file extension. You can see the real file type (file extension) in the properties of the file via the right-click context menu in Windows Explorer.
You can use this button to go to the current Firefox profile folder:
- Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder (Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder)
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problem.
See "Creating a profile":
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Profile_issues
If the new profile works then you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.
Somewhere along the way I was told to try the settings guard. Is this good or bad?