Can't use search after doing FF reset-can't open search tab in options
I downloaded a program called DriverMax earlier today and with it came Open Candy and a bunch of malware.I ran Malwarebytes anti malware to clean up the malware,then Malwarebytes directed me to reset my home page and search engine for the search bar.I change my default home page in FF options,but I could not remove Bing as my default search,and Google search was nowhere to be found. I searched FF help and the best I could find was to do a FF reset.Now I have no search engines at all.In FF options clicking on Search doesn't open the search options-all other tabs General,Privacy,etc open OK.I can search from the address bar,but not from the search box. Also all my extensions which included Last Pass are gone.Is there a way to reinstall them from the "Old Firefox Data" folder that was created on my desktop when I reset FF? I also can't right click links and use the "open in new tab" context anymore.
All Replies (6)
I think your program files might have been damaged. Before trying to restore from Old Firefox Data, could you do this:
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, or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.
(A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 39.0 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)
(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).
(C) Rename the program folder, either:
(64-bit Windows folder names)
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox
(32-bit Windows folder names)
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files\OldFirefox
(D) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.
Any improvement after this reinstall?
Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:
- \OldFirefox\Plugins
- \OldFirefox\browser\plugins
Are your search engines back?
Before I get started- What program folder am I renaming? Is it the installer folder I am going to download in this procedure?
On 64-bit Windows 7, the folder is usually:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
That contains the Firefox program files.
The fresh install worked to clear up my search,settings, and right click context menu.All Add Ons are still there(they never disappeared),but all my extensions were wiped out when I did the FF reset(the instructions said it would). Is there an easy way to reinstall the extensions or copy them back? I really need Last Pass back the way it was-it has all my passwords.I don't think I can just reinstall it from the Last Pass site without losing everything.Here is a screen capture of them prior to the RESET.
I think LastPass saves your logins in its own data folder outside of your Firefox profile, and/or in the cloud. So you should be able to push the add-on back into Firefox somehow without losing those or perhaps without even reinstalling. ??
But there is a somewhat involved way to roll back a refresh if you want to try that first. I listed the steps I suggest in this post: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1074472#answer-759812
Here is what I did to fix LastPass- I still had the LastPass folder in Windows,so I opened my vault and logged in.It immediately told me that I would have better functionality(I don't remember the exact words) if I installed the LP plugin.I clicked on the link provided and installed the plug-in.Everything looks normal and the extension is back in FF.The rest of the extensions I can reinstall in my own time. Thank you for your time and patience.It is much appreciated. I am going to install some of the add-ons that were suggested in this thread and others like SearchReset;FEBE,and OPIE.The backups can become part of my weekly routine and at least I will have a fairly recent copy of the info.