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Why does firefox think it is acceptable to perform an automatic "update" which removes all your settings, passwords and bookmarks?

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I use firefox on my 2nd pc, which I use about once or twice per week. Often when I start it I am told that I need to wait to use my computer because firefox must update itself. Annoying, presumptuous, but expected. Cut to 30 min ago when I start up firefox to do a task on my computer and it of course does an update before opening. When it does open, none of my settings are there. No bookmarks, no passwords no toolbars or buttons. What I do see is a page saying something about profiles and syncing and this new version of firefox which I don't need and don't want and if I had a choice would not have installed. So instead of going on my pc and performing a simple task that takes about 90 seconds, I am stuck trying to either sort of this mess that has been dropped in my lap and sync my settings and hopefully be able to get back everything I can't access right now. Or I can go dig up the hardcopy of my usernames and passwords that I need to complete my work. Guess which one I'm going to choose.

I use firefox on my 2nd pc, which I use about once or twice per week. Often when I start it I am told that I need to wait to use my computer because firefox must update itself. Annoying, presumptuous, but expected. Cut to 30 min ago when I start up firefox to do a task on my computer and it of course does an update before opening. When it does open, none of my settings are there. No bookmarks, no passwords no toolbars or buttons. What I do see is a page saying something about profiles and syncing and this new version of firefox which I don't need and don't want and if I had a choice would not have installed. So instead of going on my pc and performing a simple task that takes about 90 seconds, I am stuck trying to either sort of this mess that has been dropped in my lap and sync my settings and hopefully be able to get back everything I can't access right now. Or I can go dig up the hardcopy of my usernames and passwords that I need to complete my work. Guess which one I'm going to choose.

All Replies (6)

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Hi, go to the 3-bar Menu > Options > General > Updates, and select Check for updates but let you choose to install them. Also DEselect Use a background service to install updates.

For your missing data issue; that shouldn't have happened, but please see Recover user data missing after Firefox update

If you don't want Sync you can turn it off: Disable Firefox Sync

If your question is resolved by this or another answer, please help other users by marking the best reply as Solved. Thank you!

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"For your missing data issue; that shouldn't have happened"

I didn't copy the page that displayed after the update, but it said something to the effect of "This is a new version of firefox and your old bookmarks and settings won't be used." This doesn't seem like an error to me.

"go to the 3-bar Menu > Options > General > Updates, and select Check for updates but let you choose to install them. Also DEselect Use a background service to install updates."

Yes, I know how to do that. I never really felt the need to turn off auto updates, because I guess I never figured they would include an update that would wipe out all my settings, logins and passwords. I didn't even occur to me.

"... please see Recover user data missing after Firefox update"

Hahahaha. Classic. Okay, so the page basically says check the other profiles for your missing data. If it's in another profile set that as default. If it's not in any the other profiles, it says to "close the window". Nothing else, just "close the window". Awesome. (Obviously my data wasn't in the other profile).

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I have the same issue. It has happened twice now despite my settings being for me to be advised of updates but for me to choose when to install. All my settings are wiped - as are my bookmarks. Ridiculous waste of time. I like Firefox and support Mozilla, but I think the time has come to move.

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Des said

I have the same issue. It has happened twice now despite my settings being for me to be advised of updates but for me to choose when to install. All my settings are wiped - as are my bookmarks. Ridiculous waste of time. I like Firefox and support Mozilla, but I think the time has come to move.

I guess that's the only way to go. I'm not going through this again. I don't have hours to waste on correcting their screw up.

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BTW I never got an answer to my original question.