Removed add-ons's data still in about:config
I have found several instances where Firefox add-ons that have been removed (in some cases after several release upgrades) still have the add-on setting information contained in about:config!?!
For example, the support for the NoSquint add-on has stopped. Two upgrades later I still have NoSquint entries in about:config! It seems to me that these 'artifacts' should be deleted from about:config when the add-on itself is deleted. How can I remove these about:config entries?
Valgt løsning
You can reset prefs leftover by extensions on the about:config page via the right-click context menu to the default value to have them removed on the next start.
Alternatively you can delete possible user.js and numbered prefs-##.js files and rename/remove the prefs.js file to reset all prefs to the default value including prefs set via user.js and prefs that are no longer supported in current Firefox releases.
You can use this button to go to the current Firefox profile folder:
- Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
All Replies (3)
Yep, extensions don't uninstall completely, preferences are left behind. There's no requirement that an extension remove those preferences when removed.
Best way to get rid of those unneeded preferences in about:config is to create a new Profile.
Overall, with the extension gone those old prefs are useless, the code that 'hooks' prefs is Firefox is gone and other than being clutter those prefs aren't going to affect Firefox negatively.
Valgt løsning
You can reset prefs leftover by extensions on the about:config page via the right-click context menu to the default value to have them removed on the next start.
Alternatively you can delete possible user.js and numbered prefs-##.js files and rename/remove the prefs.js file to reset all prefs to the default value including prefs set via user.js and prefs that are no longer supported in current Firefox releases.
You can use this button to go to the current Firefox profile folder:
- Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
Two reasons behind my original post:
- to minimize the uniqueness of my Firefox browser 'fingerprint' (check out https://panopticlick.eff.org)
- eliminating CRUFT is always a good thingbecause esidual artifacts are never helpful
Thanks for the feedback!