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 from about:config or by installing an add-on.

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 that lets you disable JavaScript, such as

• QuickJava (to easily disable and enable JavaScript, automatic loading of images, and other content)
• No-Script (to disable JavaScript on a per page basis, as required)

Thank you and I hope this helps!

There was a similar reason for removing the "Load Images Automatically" checkbox. And a similar set of workarounds:

(1) In about:config, change the permissions.default.image preference between 1 (auto-load on) and 2 (auto-load off)

(2) Use an add-on that creates a toolbar button. For example:

Image Block - "Image Block adds a toggle button that conditionally blocks/allows loading of images on webpages."

(I haven't tried it myself.)

See also:

• SettingSanity: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/settingsanity/
• JS Switch: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/js-switch/

• Controle de Scripts: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/controle-de-scripts/

Actually, I find that this change harms usability. Messing around with about:config can easily lead a non-technical user to break their Firefox (which was the original reason for removing the easy to find option). Furthermore, the Enable Javascript option wasn't just a simple checkbox but, instead, let you enable and disable various types of Javascript functionality (such as context replacement, window resizing, etc.) Now, in order to disable that, one must dig through a variety of about:config options to determine which one specifically disables/enables the feature you want.

Imagine the following scenario:

A non-technical relative of yours is attempting to read something on a website that is not loading properly due to issues with the site's javascript. You know that the easiest workaround is to temporarily disable Javascript. What is easier and safer? Going to Tools --> Options and unchecking Enable Javascript? Or having them start messing around with about:config and hoping that they manage to find and change the correct setting (and then do it again when they want to turn Javascript back on)?

Removing this option just forces non-technical users to use about:config which has tons of options which can easily break Firefox functionality.

"In Firefox 23, as part of an effort to simplify the Firefox options set and protect users from unintentially damaging their Firefox,"

Are you kidding? so you mean to tell me that it helps users by requiring them to download third party addons(memory leaks and all) just to do something that use to be as simple as clicking a button?

If i have to use untrusted third party add-ons that i need to download to my computer i may as well just ,i don't know, Download a new browser while im at it.

If anything they should have just made it EASIER to find so users could EASILY undo what they EASILY done.

it's hogwash to say "just use addons" I try to keep my add-ons and extensions to the bare necessities for a reason. And coming from a user who until recently was stuck with dialup(because there was no other options) the ability to remove images is key. That and if im in a public setting i don't want to put my facebook images on display.

Overall, HUGE mistake by firefox.

I just wanted to add my vote to others upthread; by making this change Firefox is taking entirely too much care of us. Please put the options back.

Personally I do not like some of these changes, although I can follow the logic behind the ideas.

However this is the wrong place for such a discussion. We do not discuss development decisions or enhancement requests on this forum. We only try to assist fellow Firefox users with fixes. You will not receive developer attention here.

You should all post a short comment in

• https://input.mozilla.org/en-US/feedback at least the subject will be logged as a complaint.