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add-on install check everytime I reboot computer

  • 12 replies
  • 35 have this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by tempbast

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If I reboot my computer then open Firefox, I am always prompted to manually check and install my previously installed add-ons.

http://blog.mozilla.com/addons/files/2011/08/3rdparty-install.png (not a picture of my browser, but the same manual install prompt.)

If I reboot my computer then open Firefox, I am always prompted to manually check and install my previously installed add-ons. http://blog.mozilla.com/addons/files/2011/08/3rdparty-install.png (not a picture of my browser, but the same manual install prompt.)

Chosen solution

I recently changed my PC's anti-virus and firewall from BitDefender to Avast. Now, I no longer have this problem. I don't know how, but I assume BitDefender conflicted with the add-ons. It's not enough to just deactivate BitDefender's active anti-virus scanner and firewall, you must go into safe mode and un-check BitDefender services from booting up on start-up. I'm sorry that it's a not a well tested solution.

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All Replies (12)

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I have been going through the same problem ever since Firefox 8. It's very annoying and it has discouraged me from using my favourite browser. I don't understand the logic: why do I have to check and reinstall my addons each time I reboot my PC and open Firefox? If this is not a Firefox bug, please give me a hand in solving this issue. Thank you.

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See:

Make sure that you do not have security software that restores files on reboot to protect them against changes.

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Troubleshooting attempts:

  • Disabled firewall and anti-virus
  • Uninstalled all add-ons
  • Deleted prefs.js, sessionstore.js, and user.js

After computer reboots, firefox still keeps all the add-ons disabled, and I must enable each one manually.

Modified by tempbast

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I found a solution for my browser. In the about:config, I had to edit one of the preferences, "extensions.autoDisableScopes". I changed the value from 15 to 14.

I found the solution in this forum: http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2320715

And also referenced this site: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Installing_extensions

{edit:} My anti-virus detected a virus a few hours after these changes. This makes internet security more vulnerable.

Modified by tempbast

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tempbast, the solution you found has worked for me, too. Thank you for posting it.

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See also:

  • Bug 693743 – 3rd party add-on check doesn't disable those add-ons on start-up, if they were installed into the profile or application folder
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Hello sicuta, I have to warn you, although it may be a coincidence, I got a virus a few hours after changing these preferences. So I'm guessing changing those settings is giving Firefox too much freedom, and making security vulnerable.

I recommend revert the changes, unless you understand understand the scope settings. I will downgrade my Firefox to an old version to use the add-ons.

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My add-ons are installed in this directory: C:\Users\James\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\iq9yzy2c.default

How can I change the add-on install folder if this not the permanent one?

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Chosen Solution

I recently changed my PC's anti-virus and firewall from BitDefender to Avast. Now, I no longer have this problem. I don't know how, but I assume BitDefender conflicted with the add-ons. It's not enough to just deactivate BitDefender's active anti-virus scanner and firewall, you must go into safe mode and un-check BitDefender services from booting up on start-up. I'm sorry that it's a not a well tested solution.

Modified by tempbast

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Hello Tempbast, you seem to have hit the spot. Bitdefender was my antivirus too. So I have just turned to another protection system and after reinstalling Firefox 9.0.1 everything is OK. Thank you again.

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If files are restored if Windows is booted then that usually means that some virtualization or other process is used to restore those files. If your anti-virus software has a forum or a page with FAQ then you can try to check if you can disable such a feature.

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Yes, (anti-virus) Bitdefender was the problem for Firefox ver. 8 and 9. But it wasn't a problem for the earlier versions. So I'm more interested in Firefox's changes that made it's add-on's conflict with Bitdefender.