How do I configure Mozilla Frefox to prevent storage of thumbnails
I do not want thumbnails to be generated and stored for pages visited. I have added the two booleans into the about:config, as advised elsewhere:
name: browser.pagethumbnails.capturing_disabled with value: true name: pageThumbs.enabled with value: false
Unlike previous respondents, this has made no difference. Thumbnails are still created and displayed on the new tab page.
Yes, I have checked spelling, case, and options of either/both, all to no avail. Running Windows 7 64 bit andFirefox 36.0.4
Please advise what else Ineed to do. Thank you
All Replies (7)
Researching browser.pagethumbnails.capturing_disabled in the bug tracking system, there was mention that you need to exit out of Firefox and start it up again before the change takes effect. Did you already try that?
The other preference no longer exists in the code after Firefox 24, so you can reset that one and it will be culled.
Also, of course, version 36 is not secure; Mozilla discloses security flaws after each new release. Is something holding you back from upgrading to Firefox 38? Please let us know so we can suggest solutions or workarounds.
Yes, I already closed and re-opened before checking, only thing I didn't try was rebooting.
Make sure that this is a Boolean pref and not a String pref.
- browser.pagethumbnails.capturing_disabled = true
- https://developer.mozilla.org/Mozilla/Preferences/Preference_reference/browser.pagethumbnails.capturing_disabled
pageThumbs.enabled is no longer used, so you can reset this pref.
See also:
- resource://gre/modules/PageThumbs.jsm
You shouldn't need to reboot Windows.
Did Firefox retain the hidden preference after restarting? Some users lose changes between sessions. This article discusses some of the causes in more detail: How to fix preferences that won't save.
If the preference is still there but not working any more, hmm, sounds like a bug. But when I check Bugzilla, I don't see any recent references.
In case something is corrupted in the program folder, you could consider:
Clean Reinstall
We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent, corrupted, missing, or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.
(1) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 38.0.5 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)
(2) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).
(3) Rename the program folder, either:
64-bit Windows Vista/7/8
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox
Windows XP and 32-bit Vista/7
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files\OldFirefox
(4) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.
Does a cleanly reinstalled Firefox start normally?
Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:
- \OldFirefox\Plugins
- \OldFirefox\browser\plugins
I've removed the redundant string. Yes it is Boolean string and yes retained between sessions.
Upgraded to 38 but not yet as clean install - so far still storing thumbnails.
The pref works for me in the current Firefox 31.7.0 ESR release.
Note that you need to clear the thumbnails folder after setting the pref to remove already stored thumbnails.
- C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\thumbnails\