Come on, does nobody have a clue? Does nobody do anything?

This only seems to get worse, despite new versions of Firefox!

Hi   !
So sorry nobody's come to your rescue yet   ........
Your problems could be caused by one of your add-ons.
Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).

If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:

• Click the menu button , click Help and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.

If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:

• On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
• On Mac: Hold the option key while starting Firefox.
• On Linux: Quit Firefox, go to your Terminal and run firefox -safe-mode
  (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)

When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.

To exit Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help others with the same problem.

These can't get your data back but will help in the future.

These add-ons can be a great help by backing up and restoring Firefox

FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) {web link} FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions, history, passwords, and more. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your saved files individually into installable .xpi files. It will also make backups of files that you choose.

OPIE {web link} Import/Export extension preferences

Apparently I am not the only one...

EXTENSIONS, ADD ONS, THEMES GONE AGAIN & again & again!!! https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1122451

Have you tried any of the advice that was given to you   ?

For clarification.

• Options are reset.
• Config is reset.
• Extensions are still listed but disabled, except a few.
• Extension options are reset.
• Dictionaries are still listed but disabled.
• NoScript settings and whitelist get lost (whitelist exported now).

This happens often. The only clue I have is that it seems to happen during a period the PC has been on but not used, perhaps on a task like manually started defragmentation. It is as if some cleaner has been active. I have been searching and checking everything that might be doing so, but have not resolved it.

Happy112 said

Have you tried any of the advice that was given to you   ?

I have been trying with the bare minimum of extensions. That did not change anything. The next time this happens I will switch off everything or try Safe Mode.

I have just installed FEBE, see what that does.

I have my FEBE setup to backup everything each morning. Make sure its options are set to backup what you want.

I have got Nightly 49.0.2 build 1474711644.

Hopefully, you have updated that version since 10/17/16 when you started this thread.

Why are you running a Nightly build? That is a development build which is updated everyday, hence the name "Nightly". It receives "cutting edge changes" that don't always work as intended; major breakage can and does occur sometimes. And on rare occasions more than one "build" may be generated when there's a major fault. And with all the extensions that you had / have installed, that's just asking for problems with them not being compatible and getting disabled.

If you haven't done so already, how about installing a stable Release version? https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/

And if you need any Plugins besides Flash or Silverlight make sure you install the 32-bit version ; downloaded from the left-hand column of Windows builds for your "Language".

the-edmeister said

1. Hopefully, you have updated that version since 10/17/16 when you started this thread. 2. Why are you running a Nightly build?

1. Yes, updated numerous time. Also backtracking sometimes. 2. My whole point of using these versions is that I want to use 2 unsigned extensions by applying xpinstall.signatures.required. As far as I know this is the only way.

Check your Inbox at the top of the page for a PM that I just sent to you.

Given your parameters about overriding "signing", the Developer Edition would be a better choice than using Nightly. DE is far more stable than Nightly; 6 weeks more development and fine tuning of changes.

the-edmeister said

Check your Inbox at the top of the page for a PM that I just sent to you. Given your parameters about overriding "signing", the Developer Edition would be a better choice than using Nightly. DE is far more stable than Nightly; 6 weeks more development and fine tuning of changes.

Hi Ed,

As far as I know I was using a developer version, as I plucked it from here: http://archive.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/tinderbox-builds/mozilla-release-win32-add-on-devel/

I have installed a regular version now. Your instructions helped to get my unsigned extensions working again.

Now it is waiting if this installation 'holds'. I will let you know.

Nope, it does not make a difference.

I just started a browser after a while of not using it (the PC being idle too), and flop, it was all gone again. It seems to sort of start twice.

I totally don't get it. I have uninstalled the previous install and cleaned the installation as far as I could. The only possibility I see left is to totally remove my profile.

I am so fed up with this.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.

I have totally uninstalled and removed everything that was related to Firefox. In my anger I even lost my bookmarks, which are pretty vital to me. I was left with just an old backup. Fortunately I was able to scratch the latest one off the disk thanks to Recuva, which I had to discover.

Then I reinstalled everything fresh from zero,

To my astonishment it did not change a thing. Leaving my PC idle for a while, and on return Firefox spits in my face again when I start it up.

This really is a matter of WTF.

Thanks to everybody who tried to help.

I am pretty sure I FINALLY found the culprit: F-Secure.

They automatically install an extension 'Browsing Security'. I always DISABLE that in Firefox. It cannot be removed.

But suddenly I got a warning from that extension anyway. So apparently it was active!

One really has to dig deep into the F-Secure application to find that out from their settings. It notices somewhere: 'Browser extension is not installed or is turned off'. Yep, that is what I did. But going one level deeper there is another switch that says 'Browsing protection ON'!

Since I switched THAT off I seem to have got rid of this terrible nuisance.

This must be some stupid bug. I do not understand the sense of the actions anyway.

I am also afraid that this setting will be reverted by some automatic update, which cannot be switched off either. That is also a bad thing. I want to know and control what and when things are updated. I do not want my PC to be held up when starting. And I certainly do not want my PC to be screwed up without even knowing what could have caused it.

I will complain about this to F-Secure. This has really been a pain in the butt, which has cost me a terrible waste of time.

That was very good work. Well done.

You should contact support for that program and ask questions.