"Possible Solution to ..." LOTS of complaints when updates change everything.
For years I've had the same problem of basic resets on my custom settings everytime Firefox updates. I've read hundreds of posts, complaints and suggestions.
The best suggestions I've found are to use both userContent.css and changes to the about:config file. I have actually created a .txt file of unique about:config lines and settings so I can copy, paste, and set to my settings without having to look everything back up again. It still takes me 10 minutes, but at least it gets done my way.
A solution I think all of us would love to see are simple instructions on how to back up the current about:config settings and reinstate them AFTER an update so our choices stay as we want them. This shouldn't be too difficult. Export settings are available for all kinds of parts of Firefox, Thunderbird and add-ons. How about making that a priority in the next update?
IF YOU AGREE TELL THE MODERATORS DIRECTLY
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As I finished up my own preference resetting I had a thought for everyone.
You can manually backup what your current settings are. Type about:config in the address bar and enter past the warnings. Make sure the command line is empty and click on "Show all". Everything is ready for you to copy and paste into some document. If you check the [ ] "Show only modified preferences" it will only list those in bold that are different that the standard choices. These are the ones you've probabaly modified before. Now you don't have to wade through every line of code.
Hi
Please appreciate that the about:config and userChrome.css settings are not functionality that is officially supported in Firefox and is changed at users own risk.
The majority of users do not need to use them or go anywhere near them and the significant development focus is on further improvements to Firefox that will benefit the most users.
Hi doc, are you familiar with the prefs.js file in a Firefox profile folder? That file stores the customized preferences you see in about:config -- both your settings changes and the various measurements and time stamps that accumulate over time. More info on files in the profile folder: Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data.
That said, you shouldn't lose settings when you do a routine Firefox update, unless that setting was changed by a specific change in Firefox (adding/removing a feature, for example). I wonder what is going wrong with your updates?!
Seburo, sorry, but if you're a moderator I'd challenge you to do more than tell users to dumb down and ignore personal preferences. That is a qualified disservice to ALL users.
jscher2000, on the other hand, thank you. Yes, I've looked at prefs.js in the past and thought it might be the listing of config settings, but I am reluctant to mess with something I'm not familiar with.
What I listed in my own reply as a follow up is the best I can come up with for efficient repair following updates. I know updates aren't supposed to mess with things, but sometimes they do more or less. I for one like tight menu lines and they seem to constantly be messed up.
That's why I'd like to see a "NEW" function - an export settings button for dummies and near dummies like me.
So, this is still unsolved.
Mozilla set up a new idea submission site. Unfortunately, it doesn't integrate with Firefox Account login. You can find it through the menu at Help > Submit Feedback, or here:
Like you, I have backed up my preference settings in a separate file, in my case a spreadsheet. We wouldn't have to alter preferences or use css files if Mozilla teams made intelligent choices but they don't.
Some preferences, such as those relating to scrollbars, have no purpose unless they are configured. On one bugzilla report a Mozilla person who compiled a comprehensive response actually relied on users changing a preference to overcome the difficulty caused by a change.
jscher2000, Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't even know it existed.
I did go there and produced a challenge asking for an EXPORT / IMPORT button for this problem.
I'll let you know if anything happens.