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Strange results using Windows 7 System Restore on Firefox - Program vs Add-Ons

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  • Last reply by Rick216

Rick216
Rick216
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I've been using FF 42 since it was released. A couple days ago I ran this month's Windows 7 monthly security updates, and after that updated 5 FF add-ons. Everything seemed fine. Then I got into FF today and what I saw was strange. My layout (I use Classic Theme Restorer, BTW) had changed. Search bar smaller, bookmarks toolbar now blank, etc., none of which, while odd, is too troubling in itself. However, the Windows 7 taskbar no longer showed up at the bottom of the page, even though I don't have it hidden (and it still showed up fine for all other programs/screens).

Even stranger, and perhaps most troubling, is that neither the FF application NOR any FF process showed up in task manager as it normally does when FF is running. The only way to close FF was by shutting off my computer. I was expecting this to be one of those "just rebooting the computer fixes everything" situations, but after rebooting everything was the same.

So next I tried going back to FF 41, but that didn't change anything.

So -- *without* first reverting back from FF 41 to FF 42 -- I did a system restore back to just before the Windows Updates. As I expected, the restore undid the Windows Updates and also reverted FF back from 41 to 42. And everything seemed back to normal in FF, including the FF application and process once again showing up in task manager. However I was surprised to find that the add-ons had *not* reverted back to their pre-updated state. They all showed as "up to date" when checked.

So all seems OK for the moment, but much of this makes me a little uncomfortable. (BTW, neither Malwarebytes, including rootkit scan, nor my AV report any problems.) A couple questions:

(1) Is it normal that SYSTEM RESTORE will *not* undo add-on updates made after the restore point, even though it *does* undo a change in the FF program version ?

(2) If the answer to (1) is "that's normal behavior," than how do I undo an add-on update which may have caused problems? I suppose I could just find and overlay the old version of the add-on in some cases, but what if I don't know what the old version number was (and it's likely that I *wouldn't* usually know , especially if I hadn't UPDATED add-ons in awhile)?

(3) Even though things seem OK again, does anyone have any idea what might have caused the sudden odd changes in FF I described at the beginning, including its becoming a hidden process in Task manager?

EDIT: CAPS above represent corrections, particularly in question (1) where I had typed "Windows Update" when I meant "System Restore."

I've been using FF 42 since it was released. A couple days ago I ran this month's Windows 7 monthly security updates, and after that updated 5 FF add-ons. Everything seemed fine. Then I got into FF today and what I saw was strange. My layout (I use Classic Theme Restorer, BTW) had changed. Search bar smaller, bookmarks toolbar now blank, etc., none of which, while odd, is too troubling in itself. However, the Windows 7 taskbar no longer showed up at the bottom of the page, even though I don't have it hidden (and it still showed up fine for all other programs/screens). Even stranger, and perhaps most troubling, is that neither the FF application NOR any FF process showed up in task manager as it normally does when FF is running. The only way to close FF was by shutting off my computer. I was expecting this to be one of those "just rebooting the computer fixes everything" situations, but after rebooting everything was the same. So next I tried going back to FF 41, but that didn't change anything. So -- *without* first reverting back from FF 41 to FF 42 -- I did a system restore back to just before the Windows Updates. As I expected, the restore undid the Windows Updates and also reverted FF back from 41 to 42. And everything seemed back to normal in FF, including the FF application and process once again showing up in task manager. However I was surprised to find that the add-ons had *not* reverted back to their pre-updated state. They all showed as "up to date" when checked. So all seems OK for the moment, but much of this makes me a little uncomfortable. (BTW, neither Malwarebytes, including rootkit scan, nor my AV report any problems.) A couple questions: (1) Is it normal that SYSTEM RESTORE will *not* undo add-on updates made after the restore point, even though it *does* undo a change in the FF program version ? (2) If the answer to (1) is "that's normal behavior," than how do I undo an add-on update which may have caused problems? I suppose I could just find and overlay the old version of the add-on in some cases, but what if I don't know what the old version number was (and it's likely that I *wouldn't* usually know , especially if I hadn't UPDATED add-ons in awhile)? (3) Even though things seem OK again, does anyone have any idea what might have caused the sudden odd changes in FF I described at the beginning, including its becoming a hidden process in Task manager? EDIT: CAPS above represent corrections, particularly in question (1) where I had typed "Windows Update" when I meant "System Restore."

Modified by Rick216

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jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
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Rick216 said

(1) Is it normal that Windows Update will *not* undo add-on updates made after the restore point, even though it *does* undo a change in the FF program version ?

I don't know where Microsoft has documented exactly what is stored in a system restore point. Some users have experienced 100% Firefox data loss with a Windows system restore, so I consider it lucky that yours emerged relatively unscathed.

(2) If the answer to (1) is "that's normal behavior," than how do I undo an add-on update which may have caused problems? I suppose I could just find and overlay the old version of the add-on in some cases, but what if I don't know what the old version number was (and it's likely that I *wouldn't* usually know , especially if I hadn't updates add-ons in awhile)?

Try to narrow down the potential culprits by disabling ALL nonessential or unrecognized extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if you can live without it for 48 hours, disable.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Or you could test in Firefox's Safe Mode, where all extensions are disabled:

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any improvement? (More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode)

(3) Even though things seem OK again, does anyone have any idea what might have caused the sudden odd changes in FF I described at the beginning, including its becoming a hidden process in Task manager?

Could Firefox have started as a child task of another process??

Having the Firefox window hide the Windows Taskbar can be caused by a corrupted settings file, but more on that if needed.

Rick216
Rick216 Question owner
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jscher2000 said

Rick216 said
(1) Is it normal that Windows Update will *not* undo add-on updates made after the restore point, even though it *does* undo a change in the FF program version ?

I don't know where Microsoft has documented exactly what is stored in a system restore point. Some users have experienced 100% Firefox data loss with a Windows system restore, so I consider it lucky that yours emerged relatively unscathed.

Interesting. I've used System Restore successfully many times without any Firefox data loss or other problems. (You knew that I meant to say "System Restore" where I said "Windows Update" in the quote. I have modified the original question to correct this.)

(2) If the answer to (1) is "that's normal behavior," than how do I undo an add-on update which may have caused problems? I suppose I could just find and overlay the old version of the add-on in some cases, but what if I don't know what the old version number was (and it's likely that I *wouldn't* usually know , especially if I hadn't updates add-ons in awhile)?

Try to narrow down the potential culprits by disabling ALL nonessential or unrecognized extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if you can live without it for 48 hours, disable.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Or you could test in Firefox's Safe Mode, where all extensions are disabled:

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any improvement? (More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode)

As I mentioned things are actually OK now, but I will save this info since it might prove useful in the future.

But I would still be interested in hearing from others as to whether System Restore will or won't revert add-ons to their restore-point status.

jscher2000 said

Rick216 said
(3) Even though things seem OK again, does anyone have any idea what might have caused the sudden odd changes in FF I described at the beginning, including its becoming a hidden process in Task manager?

Could Firefox have started as a child task of another process??

Having the Firefox window hide the Windows Taskbar can be caused by a corrupted settings file, but more on that if needed.

Not sure how FF could have started as a child task of another process?