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how can I retain about:config settings when updating firefox?

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Really appreciate all the hard work creating updates but every time I update I lose my about:config settings, especially the browser.tab ones that I rely on. Specifically I use non-default settings on InsertRelatedAfterCurrent and all the warning ones. (I never want to be warned). I also use the Tabs on Bottom plugin which also has to be reinstalled after major updates. I run Firefox on at least 4 separate machines so it is a rather huge headache to have to reconfigure after each update. Is there a way to tell Firefox to update but don't change my settings back to defaults?

Thanks for a great browser.

Really appreciate all the hard work creating updates but every time I update I lose my about:config settings, especially the browser.tab ones that I rely on. Specifically I use non-default settings on InsertRelatedAfterCurrent and all the warning ones. (I never want to be warned). I also use the Tabs on Bottom plugin which also has to be reinstalled after major updates. I run Firefox on at least 4 separate machines so it is a rather huge headache to have to reconfigure after each update. Is there a way to tell Firefox to update but don't change my settings back to defaults? Thanks for a great browser.

Chosen solution

Those settings should not get lost...

Is it possible you used the Refresh feature? Sometimes after an update installs Firefox displays a message that it is running sluggishly and you can improve performance by restoring some default settings. That runs the Refresh feature, which will default your settings and remove all of your extensions (the ones you installed into Firefox yourself, not ones that were added by other software on your system). The telltale sign is that an Old Firefox Data folder appears on your desktop with your "old" settings folder inside. If you have experienced this repeatedly, there may be several old folders inside. Could that be the explanation?

You might want to create a backup of your prefs.js file, which stores your modified Firefox preferences, before your next update. You can find that file in your currently active Firefox settings (profile) folder as follows (either):

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table on the page, click the "Show Folder" button. This should launch a new window listing various files and folders in Windows Explorer.

Scroll down and make a copy of prefs.js (or it may shows prefs and a file type of JScript) in a safe location such as your documents folder.

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Chosen Solution

Those settings should not get lost...

Is it possible you used the Refresh feature? Sometimes after an update installs Firefox displays a message that it is running sluggishly and you can improve performance by restoring some default settings. That runs the Refresh feature, which will default your settings and remove all of your extensions (the ones you installed into Firefox yourself, not ones that were added by other software on your system). The telltale sign is that an Old Firefox Data folder appears on your desktop with your "old" settings folder inside. If you have experienced this repeatedly, there may be several old folders inside. Could that be the explanation?

You might want to create a backup of your prefs.js file, which stores your modified Firefox preferences, before your next update. You can find that file in your currently active Firefox settings (profile) folder as follows (either):

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table on the page, click the "Show Folder" button. This should launch a new window listing various files and folders in Windows Explorer.

Scroll down and make a copy of prefs.js (or it may shows prefs and a file type of JScript) in a safe location such as your documents folder.