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How to set toolbar configuration, etc for new users (Linux)

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  • Last reply by jd.hupp

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On a Linux terminal server (Lubuntu 14.04.1), I want to configure Firefox so that additional new Linux user accounts all get the same default configuration (extensions, and toolbar settings and certain preferences).

For extensions, I was following an article at http://mike.kaply.com/2012/02/09/integrating-add-ons-into-firefox, but then eventually found out it was somewhat dated and the best current info is at http://kb.mozillazine.org/Installing_extensions. That allowed me to achieve my goal for the extensions.

But I have not been able to make anything work right for the toolbar settings and preferences. I want the Firefox toolbar to display the Print button and one or two others, set new tabs to blank (rather than Classic/Enhanced), and skip the Firefox-is-free-software first-run notification that shows for a new Linux user account.

I tried this content in a .js file at <installation directory>/defaults/pref/, at defaults/preferences, and at browser/defaults/preferences: pref("browser.rights.3.shown", true);

pref("browser.uiCustomization.state", "{long string from my user profile pref}");

pref("browser.newtabpage.enabled", false);

pref("browser.newtabpage.enhanced", false);

I also tried copying xulstore.json from my user profile to defaults/profile and to browser/defaults/profile.

But none of that quite worked for me. I think browser.rights.3.shown worked, but the newtabpage values did not propagate, and the Firefox toolbar just had the default buttons (although successfully adding buttons for my extensions).

Can any point me to definitive current documentation for this, or otherwise detail what will work?

Articles I've worked with: http://mike.kaply.com/2012/03/15/customizing-firefox-default-preference-files/

http://mike.kaply.com/2012/03/16/customizing-firefox-autoconfig-files/

http://mike.kaply.com/2013/05/13/more-major-changes-coming-in-firefox-21/

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locking_preferences (See Other uses for the mozilla.cfg file -- what Kaply would call an Autoconfig file)

On a Linux terminal server (Lubuntu 14.04.1), I want to configure Firefox so that additional new Linux user accounts all get the same default configuration (extensions, and toolbar settings and certain preferences). For extensions, I was following an article at http://mike.kaply.com/2012/02/09/integrating-add-ons-into-firefox, but then eventually found out it was somewhat dated and the best current info is at http://kb.mozillazine.org/Installing_extensions. That allowed me to achieve my goal for the extensions. But I have not been able to make anything work right for the toolbar settings and preferences. I want the Firefox toolbar to display the Print button and one or two others, set new tabs to blank (rather than Classic/Enhanced), and skip the Firefox-is-free-software first-run notification that shows for a new Linux user account. I tried this content in a .js file at <installation directory>/defaults/pref/, at defaults/preferences, and at browser/defaults/preferences: pref("browser.rights.3.shown", true); pref("browser.uiCustomization.state", "{long string from my user profile pref}"); pref("browser.newtabpage.enabled", false); pref("browser.newtabpage.enhanced", false); I also tried copying xulstore.json from my user profile to defaults/profile and to browser/defaults/profile. But none of that quite worked for me. I think browser.rights.3.shown worked, but the newtabpage values did not propagate, and the Firefox toolbar just had the default buttons (although successfully adding buttons for my extensions). Can any point me to definitive current documentation for this, or otherwise detail what will work? Articles I've worked with: http://mike.kaply.com/2012/03/15/customizing-firefox-default-preference-files/ http://mike.kaply.com/2012/03/16/customizing-firefox-autoconfig-files/ http://mike.kaply.com/2013/05/13/more-major-changes-coming-in-firefox-21/ http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locking_preferences (See Other uses for the mozilla.cfg file -- what Kaply would call an Autoconfig file)

Modified by jd.hupp

All Replies (2)

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Did you look at this article for installing extensions globally?

Did you try to use the mozilla.cfg file to set the default for the browser.uiCustomization.state pref?


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I accomplished most of what I wanted via the key steps found in my other post on this problem at http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=2904815