After deleting Firefox, should a new install of Firefox automatically 'inherit' the plugins from the former installation?
After several problems with being redirected to false websites I deleted firefox in case the browser had been modified somehow, then downloaded and reinstalled it, when I started the new install the pluggins from old installation appeared in the new install. Q1 - Should this happen? Q2 - Should I delete the plugins too (Somehow) then reload them in the fresh install of Firefox? Many Thanks.
Opaite Mbohovái (1)
Hi, yes Plugins are in your computer programs (not Firefox) so would appear in a new install. To uninstall them you need to go to Control Panel > Programs on your PC. You can instead (in Firefox) set them to Never Activate in the Add-ons Manager (Ctrl+Shift+A) > Plugins.
Add-ons are stored in your Profile folder, which wouldn't be removed when you uninstalled Firefox, unless you specifically selected it - Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data. You can disable/remove add-ons in the Add-ons Manager > Extensions.
Redirects could be caused by malware. You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:
- Microsoft Safety Scanner
- MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware
- Anti-Rootkit Utility - TDSSKiller
- AdwCleaner (for more info, see this alternate AdwCleaner download page)
- Hitman Pro
- ESET Online Scanner
Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
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