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Why is the Options/Content Turn off Java check missing. Java won't turn off

  • 20 replies
  • 88 have this problem
  • 37 views
  • Last reply by James

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You removed the Check box from the Options/Content menu to turn off Java, and turning it off under app's has no effect. Java stays on no matter what I do.

You removed the Check box from the Options/Content menu to turn off Java, and turning it off under app's has no effect. Java stays on no matter what I do.

Chosen solution

Enable JavaScript was was removed from Options > Content in Firefox 23. Try one of these add-ons to get a "toggle" switch to disable / enable JavaScript.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/js-switch/

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/jsoff/

Read this answer in context 👍 10

All Replies (20)

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Chosen Solution

Enable JavaScript was was removed from Options > Content in Firefox 23. Try one of these add-ons to get a "toggle" switch to disable / enable JavaScript.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/js-switch/

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/jsoff/

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Hello,

In Firefox 23, as part of an effort to simplify the Firefox options set and protect users from unintentially damaging their Firefox, the option to disable Javascript was removed from the Firefox Options window.

However, the option to disable Javascript was not removed from Firefox entirely. You can still access it via about:config, or via an extension.

About:config

  1. In the address bar, type "about:config" (with no quotes), and press Enter.
  2. Click "I'll be careful, I promise"
  3. In the search bar, search for "javascript.enabled" (with no quotes).
  4. Right click the result named "javascript.enabled" and click "Toggle". Javascript is now disabled.

To Re-enable Javascript, repeat these steps.

Add-ons You can alternatively install an add-on such as Noscript that lets you disable Javascript on a per page basis as required. No-Script

Thank you and I hope this helps!

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I will associate a Word such a Black Cow with a Black Bull, to me Java is Java, and I make no distinction,

I have yet to get one of those Plugins to work. [ I have installed them both, of those Java disabling app's, but do not find there simple Toggle Button ], but I am trying, all I know is with this last update I can not turn off Java [Script]

  I do not doubt that it is something I have done, but I do not understand why the update took away a very simple way to disable this troublesome script. and made it so much harder to try and disable it.
 In fact for me it seems impossible to disable, at this time.
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No fix yet, theses apps do not seem to appear after installing, and restarting. I originally installed only one, the top one, but nothing showed up in any menu, though I first checked where it said it would be.

  after restarting Firefox.
  Then I tried the second one, but I never found its Icon either, I am looking for what I am sure is my mistake, but at this time, my Java [Script] is staying one.
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I finally found I had the add on bar disabled [ or unchecked under view ], and now that JSoff seems to function fine I will have to test on a few pages, but this is very nice, if it works.

  Thx U
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removing useful features to force users to use third-party add-ons is not considered "as part of an effort to simplify the Firefox options " your complicating simple things and creating problems just of the sake of it . the content used to have 3 things, 2 options are gone , load images automatically and enable java script . the jave scirpt had three sub options that i used frequently now I'm forced to install firefox 22 ,it will solve the problem.

Modified by asdon

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Please dont get Java and Javascript mixed up.

Java will always work in firefox.

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Hi asdon, for future reference, you can modify those three settings using the about:config preferences editor. The following post describes how the three preferences map to the old dialog: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/967108#answer-464407

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Hi asdon, I understand you don't want an extension to replace a function, but for an extension that extends your control over what scripts can do well beyond the old Advanced Options dialog, check out this one: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/controle-de-scripts/

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Why? Because some idiot inexperienced developer at Mozilla thought it was a good idea to inconvenience everybody and expose them to security vulnerabilities. And because there was no-one at Mozilla with the nous, common sense, to stop him (or her). Gross management failure.

To quote antivirus.about.com on the subject

"chances are also good that you very seldom actually need Java. That's a good thing because Java is fast becoming one of the most targeted third-party applications for malicious exploit via the Web. One easy thing you can do to avoid this method of attack is simply disable Java. When you do need it for that website game or calculator, just re-enable it (but be sure to turn it back off when you're done)."

Switching off JavaScript will stop annoyances like on-exit scripting (mousetraps that won't let you leave a page, or worse), and certain kind of unwanted re-direct. It will also stop some sites from working, for example those using Captcha.

Java itself is very capable of running malware, but useful when legitimately used. It has many public variables which give away all manner of information concerning your configuration (and identity).

Both are cross-platform languages. JavaScript is widely used by websites, and does not need to have Java running. Java itself is more rarely used. Both can run away if badly written, causing excessive CPU load; toggling them off can stop mysterious background processes and reduce load.

I recommend this addon by Doug G, which has a list of unobstrusive toggle buttons in the status bar. It has recently been promptly updated v 1.8.1.1. 25Aug2013 to cope with FF 23 stupidity.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/quickjava

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I am guessing that the folks here at mozilla don't get that this is happening.


WHY can't I find a VERISON OF FIREFOX THAT ALLOWS ME TO CHOOSE JAVASCRIPT?

JAVA and JAVASCRIPT are TWO DIFFERENT ANIMALS - WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS MOZILLA DEVS???????!!!!!!!!!!!!

MINE and probably YOURS are on the LEFT, the one we NEED is on the RIGHT.

WHERE IS IT??????

Modified by moirraine

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Hi moirraine, this was an intentional change for the reasons described in this article: http://limi.net/checkboxes-that-kill

JavaScript is enabled by default. You can turn it off or back on again using the about:config preferences editor:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter. Click the button promising to be careful. You might want to bookmark this page for future reference.

(2) In the filter box, type or paste java and pause while the list is filtered

(3) Double-click javascript.enabled to switch it between true and false.

If you envision making this change frequently, there are several new add-ons that create a toolbar on/off button listed in other recent threads this thread. (I haven't tried any of them myself.)

Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

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I guess that you didn't read this whole thread.

Three different extensions have been hyperlinked, all of which provide a "button" to toggle JavaScript on / off.

The two in the thread marked as the Chosen Solution.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/js-switch/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/jsoff/

And this one just above your posting.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/quickjava/

Which going by its name might "sound" like it is for Java alone, but if you had read the description for that extension on its download page you would see that it includes a control for JavaScript, too.
Allows quick enable and disable of Java, Javascript, Cookies, Image Animations, Flash, Silverlight, Images, Stylesheets and Proxy from the Statusbar and/or Toolbar.
You also need to read this, in About this Add-on
 Install the extension and restart your browser to get the Statusbar icons. Configure the options to display which Statusbar icon's you would like, customize the toolbar with which buttons you choose and enjoy. It's that simple!



If you aren't using the Add-on Bar (previously where the Statusbar was located) you won't see the "buttons" for that add-on. You'll need to retrieve them from the Customize Palette.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/customize-firefox-controls-buttons-and-toolbars

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I don't think you guy are getting the reason for all of the objections. However, I think I can simplify it for you:

ONE HANDED TYPING

What users are wanting is a simple toggle.

For example, many Tumblr pages use a "Never Ending Scroll" where each consecutive page loads automatically (via JavaScript). However, such pages cause the browser's memory use to eventually consume all available memory (I assume because it's holding ALL of the pages in memory). It is sometimes desirable to turn JavaScript off for those pages.

Other Tumblr pages won't work at all without JavaScript, so it is necessary to turn JavaScript back on for those.

In Safari, one can go to Preferences > Advanced > and click the check box for "Show Develop menu in menu bar". One can then click the Develop menu, scroll down to 'Disable JavaScript' and click that to disable it (a one-handed operation).

By using the 'Develop menu' option, one is saying 'I know what I'm doing'.

> In the address bar, type "about:config" > search for "javascript.enabled"

Try that one-handed. No, seriously, you. Do it now and then go back to the page you were previously viewing. Convenient, huh?

What you have done is tantamount to a car manufacturer removing the temperature gauge because 'it confused some users'.

I don't want to install NoScript and be constantly fiddling with it. I just want a toggle.

For now, I'm trashing my current Firefox and downloading Firefox 22.

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In Firefox you can do it this way without an extension:

Open the Web Console (Firefox/Tools > Web Developer; Ctrl+Shift+K) and click the Toolbar Options button at the far left of its menu bar.
You can click the Disable JavaScript item to toggle the JavaScript setting for the current tab.

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@ Popy

But, yes, another reason this enforced & (quite literally) arrogant change is wrong-headed.

further reading: bugzilla 873709 &c

See the sad future: [getaustralis.com]

available for trial in the nightlies

and (one of many) an exemplary comment by pd (November 8, 2013 at 1:15 pm)

also (presumably now defunct) 4. 5. & 8. of

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/manifesto/

I'd go with quickjava addon until it's functionality is removed by those in a position to do so.

Modified by the-edmeister

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Thanks, cor-el; yes, but thats 3 clicks, scroll, click & click out. And hidden.

The favoured dev workaround is to use about:config, that is: click, search 'javascript' (or bookmark about:config?filter=javascript.enabled & just the 2 clicks), double-click & return to tab. We are expected to believe this more helpful to novice users.

unless of course you were already using one of the addons with status-indicator plus toggle icons (see above), in which case 1 click & clarity at all times; no obfuscation, no inconvenience, clear to novices, no injected security problems.


The former standard was: 4 clicks, and hidden - which is part of the badly perceived problem. But we ordinary users are arguably silenced by the leader of this disaster

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=873709#c28

One could take it to

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!sea.../e6l09FOAjv4J

but it may well be 'talking to the hand'.

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There are many reasons why i like a single click JS or Java disable, one that i am sure others have encounter is the streaming video sales pitches that we are hounded with when browsing the net. I understand the need for such things to support, and pay for many of the web sights.

  But many of them will continue to loop, over, and over and over, (while I am trying to concentrate on something that is important to me) Hearing a sales pitch about a new kind of panty Hose, or a new additive to bathroom cleaner is rather distracting.
  Normally I would just click my no java button, and refresh the page, and voila, it would go away. 
  Other reasons vary, like the pages flame you with Pup's constantly, and flash things on the screen that will not let you even read it without clicking on the [X] (which will probably lay and egg in your system you don't want. )
  I mean to say that there are times when you just have to have Java, but there are many times it is very troublesome 
  I have and add-on now that does do that for me, but I think it is a feature that should be default in the browser, (Easy to see, and easy to understand what it does, and why) [Java ON/Java_Off]

Modified by taglag

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The use of Plugins like Java (not JavaScript) can be enabled/disabled in Tools->Add-ons->Plugins ever since Firefox 3.0 released back in June 2008. The checkin box for Java (not JavaScript) before was misleading for some as they thought it allowed them to use the Java plugin without Java even being installed on os.

http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/3.0/releasenotes/