when opening firefox it asks for the master password
Hello, recently, my Windows PC always asks for the master password when I open Firefox. The method of removing the master password, then closing Firefox completely and resetting the password the next time I start it doesn't work! Observed in Firefox 136.0.1 in Windows 10 and 11. Also new and surprising is that Windows 11 requires the window pin to be entered before a master password can be set. No security software (except Windows Defender) installed. No new software - except for the regular update of Firefox . The observed behavior is at least very annoying, perhaps frightening( who needs my Windows password?).
Maybe it is a new feature and unwanted "windows security" Wolf Piotrowski I attach a screenshot of "windows security Mozilla" pop up (in a german installation of windows/firefox)
All Replies (4)
That's either for Firefox Sync if you have that setup or it's coming from Windows OS itself and and that point that means whatever site your homepage your or what your URL is set at is asking for that and it's not coming from Firefox browser.
SORRY, THAT WAS MEANT FOR A DIFFERENT TAB. PLEASE IGNORE.
Okulungisiwe ngu jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
Sorry, please ignore that earlier reply. I switched to the wrong tab.
It's common for Firefox to prompt for a primary password at startup in these cases:
(1) Firefox restored a tab for which you have a saved login. It might not actually be needed if a cookie is keeping you signed in, so usually you can just cancel the dialog until you need it. However, the dialog may reappear due to a different tab having a page with a saved login.
(2) A few moments later, if Firefox is set to Sync, you will be prompted for the password to unlock your saved Sync token. If you don't feel the need to Sync urgently, you can just cancel the dialog until you need it. However, this probably will reappear from time to time.
It is NOT common to get a Windows prompt unless you are accessing previously saved logins/Passwords. Maybe creating a new primary password involves first "unprotecting" your existing saved logins??? I'm not sure of the best way to test this.
(This is of cause no answer but a new question!)
Problem disappears /modifies with Firefox 136.0.2!
Remaining unwanted & useless behavior:
If a primary password is set then the “primary password required” popup
appears whenever I go to “settings” in the Firefox menu. If it is closed it appears a second time. But if the second “password required” is closed (or cancelled) it disappears and one can access the settings! This is completely useless and only annoying!
A) Added information to my original contribution/question (“password required when opening Firefox 136.0.1”). - The request disappears when it is cancelled twice! - I do not use sync, nor a homepage, nor when a tab that must be restored. - Problem remains when all cookies and saved data are removed - Colleagues of mine had the same problem and the same improvement with version 136.0.2
B) The request to enter sometimes the windows login information (pin) is (thank God) normal and results from a corresponding setting in Firefox. (Sorry that I did not noticed it.)
Thanks for the fast answers (although they did not find the true cause).
I guess it is a problem in Firefox that is not yet completely solved. Wolf
You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.