Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

How to clear never-activate plug-ins list

  • 7 replies
  • 25 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by josephrot

more options

My plug-ins list has a large number of items I have marked as never-activate. How do I clear the list of those entries?

My plug-ins list has a large number of items I have marked as never-activate. How do I clear the list of those entries?

All Replies (7)

more options

Hello,

I think the safest way would be to uninstall the plugins from your computer via Windows Control Panel > Programs and Features. That would remove registry entries and other things.

Alternatively, you can go to the about:plugins page to find out where the plugin files are located and move them yourself. I would recommend backing them up in case you need them again - if you delete them it might be difficult to bring them back (which is why the first way is safer - you would just reinstall the plugin).

more options

Cory: Thanks for the idea, but I've been down that path. None of the list of never-activate plug-ins shows up as a separate program in the Add/delte programs list. They are nearly all pieces of other installed full applications such as: Google Earth plug-in, PalmSource Package installer, Picasa 3.0, OpenH264 Video Codec provided by Cisco Systems, Inc.,etc. Yes, they are disabled via the never-activate setting, but there is a long list I'd like to clean up. The about:plugins page does list the specific file name that goes with each, but I am concerned that just deleting those specific files will negatively affect the main programs that should remain functional. Any further thoughts?

more options
more options

I am not a computer expert although I am reasonably knowledgeable and can edit registries, find hidden folders, etc. A few of the instructions on the provided reference page seem to point to various registry locations and folders which do not exist. I did try deleting the folder of a particular never-activate plug in (H.264 codec) under the profile folder, but that did not delete the plug-in listing even after rebooting.

Is there a somewhat simpler solution?

more options

Up to and including Firefox 34.0 (Windows in my case):

1. WHY is Mozilla making it exceedingly hard, technical and NOT making it easy to, say via menu driven, to REMOVE plug-ins from Firefox ?

2. WHY saddle users of all levels with either a not-possible or overtly technical discourse on "how to just get rid of them"....even if some or all plug-ins are installed by Mozilla or other third party suppliers?

3. And yes, I echo the earlier lament and wrong information: Perhaps "99.9%" of all plug-ins have NO entries in the Windows > Control Panel > Program and Features area.

Joe Rotello / Knoxville, TN / USA

more options

You can delete the pluginreg.dat file in the Firefox Profile Folder to reset the plugin registry database.

See Re-initializing the plugins database:

You can use this button to go to the currently used Firefox profile folder:

You can inspect and manage permissions for the domain in the currently selected tab via these steps:

  • Click the "Site Identity Button" (globe/padlock) on the location/address bar
  • Click "More Information" to open "Tools > Page Info" with the Security tab selected
  • Go to the Permissions tab (Tools > Page Info > Permissions) to check the permissions for the domain in the currently selected tab

You can inspect and manage permissions for all domains on the about:permissions page.

more options

Cor-el...

Although one genuinely appreciates your reply, the information given is for programmers, engineers and higher-learned individuals.

Although I am fortunately or not among the above lists...

I am talking mere mortal Mozilla Firefox end-users.

Where's the "easier", "intuitive" way to delete SPECIFIC plug-ins directed to the mere mortals ?

Joe