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Does Refresh Firefox impact "about:config" changes

Firefox Settings
sagenuage81 replied
Ted Benjeski
Ted Benjeski

Greetings...

I have read the Refresh Firefox instructions that appear in the "Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings" Firefox support webpage, including the "saved items" and "removed items" section.

Over time, I have made a number of changes in the "about:config" section of my Firefox browser.

Q: Would a Refresh of my Firefox browser affect any of these "about:config" changes?

Q: Is there a way that I can create a list of all "about:changes" that I have made?

Please advise. Thank you very much for your assistance!

Greetings... I have read the Refresh Firefox instructions that appear in the "Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings" Firefox support webpage, including the "saved items" and "removed items" section. Over time, I have made a number of changes in the "about:config" section of my Firefox browser. Q: Would a Refresh of my Firefox browser affect any of these "about:config" changes? Q: Is there a way that I can create a list of all "about:changes" that I have made? Please advise. Thank you very much for your assistance!

All Replies (2)

wxie
wxie
  • Top 25 Contributor

Q1: Yes, I think Refresh will reset all your preferences. Q2: Just make a copy of your profile file: prefs.js -> prefs.js.old

Details: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/about-config-editor-firefox

sagenuage81
sagenuage81

Yes, a Refresh creates a new profile and resets Firefox preferences, so about:config changes should be treated as not preserved. The old profile is usually moved to an "Old Firefox Data" folder, but I would not rely on Refresh as a settings backup.

For a quick list before refreshing, open about:config and enable the filter to show only modified preferences, then copy/screenshot the important ones. For a more complete backup, close Firefox and copy the profile folder first; the file prefs.js contains most modified preferences.

Modified by sagenuage81

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