Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Is there any way to make add-ons activate as needed instead of turning on at browser start up or disabled?

  • 4 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 9 views
  • Last reply by leangreen

leangreen
leangreen
more options

Extensions and Plug-ins all have a disable or remove button, not a standby button. Is there any way to set these to use when the application needs it instead of either on or off? It appears that because Firefox starts up with them all activated, my browser start up time is greatly increased. I don't need the Quick Time plug in or Windows Presentation Foundation at browser start-up, but may need them later in the session, depending on application.,

Extensions and Plug-ins all have a disable or remove button, not a standby button. Is there any way to set these to use when the application needs it instead of either on or off? It appears that because Firefox starts up with them all activated, my browser start up time is greatly increased. I don't need the Quick Time plug in or Windows Presentation Foundation at browser start-up, but may need them later in the session, depending on application.,

Chosen solution

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window.

It is possible that your security software (firewall, anti-virus) blocks or restricts Firefox or the plugin-container process without informing you, possibly after detecting changes (update) to the Firefox program.

Remove all rules for Firefox and the plugin-container from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full unrestricted access to internet for Firefox and the plugin-container process and the updater process.

See:

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (4)

smo
smo
more options

Could be other reasons, for instance the number of open tabs, causing the start-up delay. See Firefox takes a long time to start up

the-edmeister
the-edmeister
  • Moderator
more options

Quick Time plugin and Windows Presentation Foundation plugin don't load when Firefox is launched, they load as needed for the page you are viewing.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window.

It is possible that your security software (firewall, anti-virus) blocks or restricts Firefox or the plugin-container process without informing you, possibly after detecting changes (update) to the Firefox program.

Remove all rules for Firefox and the plugin-container from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full unrestricted access to internet for Firefox and the plugin-container process and the updater process.

See:

leangreen
leangreen Question owner
more options

Thanks to all for responding. I recently changed anti-virus from AVG to AVAST and neglected to adjust the settings for Firefox. It defaulted me from Firefox to IE, which I rarely use. Changed setup, problem solved.