Updated: no longer need help with permanently removing a Firefox extension

[krispos42]

Last edited Sun Jul 2, 2017, 03:16 PM - Edit history (1)

Okay, here's the update:

I seem to have fixed the problem. I used canetoad's advice (reply #7) in my own special and probably unnecessarily complicated way.

I first reinstalled Firefox and tried the built-in fresh install option from the opening window, but that didn't work... still froze solid. So then I uninstalled it, installed the Revo Uninstaller, and ran that.

Then I thought "hmmm... what if I should uninstall it through Revo, instead of through the Firefox or Windows uninstall option?"

So I re-installed Firefox, THEN uninstalled (again) through Revo, and had Revo go through and find all the bits and pieces that were lingering.

Then I reinstalled it again and have been using it since. No issues... it worked!

So thank you everybody for the help. Now I'm back in Firefox and very happy.

I have already signed up with Firefox Sync, so I didn't need to use the backup stuff.

Thanks all,
Krispos42



Original post below:


Hi everybody,

Recently I took a step to try to increase my on-line security because, well, let's just say the Orange Idiot is less than reassuring.

I installed a Firefox extension that would force my browser to the secure version of a site's webpages, the ones that begin with https, even for "normal" browning. The idea is that my internet traffic to, say, DU, would be as secure as when I'm doing online banking.

It seemed to work okay, except for one teensie tiny problem... once or twice a week Firefox would freeze solid while I was using it. And if I tried to close Firefox, the entire computer would freeze. As in, not even the mouse cursor would move. I'd have to do a hard reboot by pressing and holding the power button.

After a couple of weeks of this, I uninstalled the extension, but it still happened. I uninstalled and reinstalled Firefox, but it still happened. So I uninstalled Firefox and installed Chrome. The problem went away.

I don't like Chrome. I like Firefox. I miss Firefox, and I want to go back to it. But I have to somehow purge every last binary digit of either Firefox or the extension off of my hard drive first.

Anybody have any ideas?

I'm running Windows 7 Pro, SP1. I have a SSD, if that matters.

I already tried running CCleaner.

Thanks in advance.

[Egnever]

1. follow directions here

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/refresh-firefox-reset-add-ons-and-settings

[krispos42]

3. Ah, okay, thanks.

I've tried that. Let's see what happens.

I've generally given up on trying to get help via searches; I always seem to get stuff that's not relevant. Crowdsourcing seems to do better with this.

[Egnever]

4. Well that should reset Firefox to a clean install state

if you still have issues after that it is time to start looking for infections.

Another thing you can try is disabling any antivirus you have and see if the problem persists.

[krispos42]

6. Well, I gave it a shot. Even installed the new one in a differently-named folder.

It's working... so far.

[TexasProgresive]

2. I don't have any real solutions

Did you try going to Mozilla help? I have Firefox but prefer SeaMonkey.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/?utm_source=www.mozilla.org&utm_medium=referral&global-nav&utm_content=support

[krispos42]

5. No, but the guy above had an idea so I'm trying it out.

I mean, I figured uninstalling, running CCleaner, and re-installing would be it, yanno?

[canetoad]

7. To do a total uninstall

You would need to delete your firefox profile and start again, this means losing bookmarks etc.

You could grab a copy of MozBackup http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/
Then back up the stuff you want to keep, ie bookmarks, passwords etc but not the extensions. (There is an option for this during backup).

Then I'd get Revo Uninstaller https://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html
And completely remove the old firefox. Make sure you do a restore point first, and select the highest level of uninstall and scan afterwards to delete all vestiges of the profile.

After that, install new Firefox. Start it once to create a new profile, then close it down. Using MozBackup, restore your old profile minus the extensions.

On edit:
Not sure how conversant you are with the Firefox profiles, but they are stored in Documents & Settings, not the Firefox program folder. You'll need to turn on hidden files and folders to access it.

[krispos42]

12. I did what you recommended and it seems to have worked

Thank you very much!

Chrome irritates me because there's no Menu Bar, and I don't like how it seems to handle my bookmarks.

[canetoad]

14. Well done YOU!

Yeah, I get what you mean about Chrome. Anything Google is like a toxic giant squid in your computer, installing updaters and gawd knows what else. And yes, I like having menus too.

That MozBackup is a damn handy little program. Saved my skin many times.

Cheers

On edit:
I hadn't read your revised OP, but it certainly looks like you had something corrupt in your Firefox profile. The reason Firefox keeps your personal settings and info in a different folder is to expedite updates, so you can carry on seamlessly. This however makes it crucial to be able to re-create your profile when it becomes corrupted.

[lpbk2713]

8. Look at the website for that extension.

The Firefox extension page should have a link. See if the developer has
a workaround or any similar problems that they might be aware of.

[left-of-center2012]

9. I don't think it's a Firefox extension problem

I use Firefox and do not have the extension,
and yet Firefox often freezes and I get the message "Firefox stopped working".

It's some problem with the browser itself.

Check out this Google search: "Firefox stopped working"

[krispos42]

13. In this case it was

The computer is new (well, a completely rebuilt one about 3-4 years old) that I got in December and it was working rock-solid with Firefox until shortly after I installed the privacy extension.



YMMV

There's a computer in the break room at work that has any browser periodically freeze for no apparent reason. The computer simply isn't working well, and neither Chrome or Firefox works steadily on it.

[left-of-center2012]

15. I gave up and switched to Chrome.

I am adjusting quite well.
My Firefox had slowed down my computer speed gradually over time.
I didn't notice it, like that old story of putting a frog (?) in a pot of cold water and slowly increasing the heat.

Now my computer is about three times faster, using the Xfinity speed test.

[UTUSN]

10. Good question - I tried Firefox cause I want to fit in with whatever/Progressive stuff & it SUCKED

Lots of page stalls, whatever. No insight here, just me not wanting to hassle or BE hassled. Have always been horribly commercial (Microsoft) no frills, am BASIC/STANDARD. No gourmet/no brewery/

[Earth Bound Misfit]

11. I tend to agree with @left-of-center

But there are literally 1000's of variables why your browser and/or computer may freeze. Could be hardware related (RAM, HDD, etc) or software. Look for beginning clues in Event Viewer and report them here if you like... lots of people (including me & a lot smarter than me) are willing to help here. Or start Googling profusely.