Firefox not deleting history on exit
Since updating to Firefox 44.0.2 (in Windows 10), my history has not been deleted on exit from Firefox. According to my privacy settings, history should be deleted on exit and every possible box to do so is ticked. No add-ons are installed.
Had a similar problem with Edge recently too (storing browsing history from InPrivate browsing). Don't know if they might be linked.
Thanks for any thoughts.
Chosen solution
Ironically, just shut down from the session typing this reply and restarted Firefox. History seems to have deleted on exit.
It didn't do that when I tested before typing the reply!
Looks like problem solved, although no idea how/why. Weird.
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (3)
Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode (Always use Private Browsing mode; Never Remember History).
- Tools > Options > Privacy > Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history"
- Deselect: [ ] "Always use Private Browsing mode"
Use one of these to close Firefox if you are currently doing that by clicking the close X on the Firefox title bar.
- 3-bar Menu button > Exit (Power button)
- Windows: File > Exit
- Mac: Firefox > Quit Firefox
- Linux: File > Quit
You can rename (or delete) places.sqlite files including places.sqlite-shm and places.sqlite-wal in the Firefox profile folder to remove all history. Firefox will create a new places.sqlite file and recover the bookmarks from a recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.
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
Thanks for that.
cor-el said
Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode (Always use Private Browsing mode; Never Remember History).
I think I wasn't clear enough - permanent Private Browsing mode isn't enabled, but in the Privacy options, "Clear History when Firefox closes" is ticked and all of the options within that are ticked.
cor-el said
You can rename (or delete) places.sqlite files including places.sqlite-shm and places.sqlite-wal in the Firefox profile folder to remove all history.
The problem isn't that I can't delete history at all (manual clearing with Ctrl+Shift+Del works). It's that Firefox is set to delete history automatically and it doesn't.
Chosen Solution
Ironically, just shut down from the session typing this reply and restarted Firefox. History seems to have deleted on exit.
It didn't do that when I tested before typing the reply!
Looks like problem solved, although no idea how/why. Weird.