About:config: Difference between revisions

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{{wrongtitle|title=about:config}}
{{wrongtitle|title=about:config}}
'''about:config''' is a special location that lists all application preferences (read from "prefs.js" and "[[user.js]]"), many of which are not present in Options/Preferences dialog. Preferences can also be changed there.
'''about:config''' (one of the special [[About_protocol_links]]) lists application preferences read from "prefs.js", "[[user.js]]" and from program defaults, many of which are not present in the  Options and Preferences dialog. You can use about:config to  modify these preferences and to add other "hidden" preferences. '''Warning''': Changing these values can, in rare circumstances, break Mozilla Suite, Firefox, or Thunderbird or cause strange behavior. Only modify these preferences if you know what you are doing.  
 
'''Warning''': Changing these values can, in rare circumstances, break Mozilla Suite, Firefox, or Thunderbird or cause strange behavior. Only edit these preferences if you know what you are doing.


==Opening about:config==
==Opening about:config==
* In Firefox and Mozilla Suite, type "about:config" in the Location Bar and press Enter.
* In Firefox and Mozilla Suite, type "about:config" (without quotes) in the Location Bar and press Enter.
* In Thunderbird, use [http://aboutconfig.mozdev.org/ AboutConfig extension]. (You will be able to access about:config from the menu in Thunderbird 1.5.)
* In Thunderbird, use the [http://aboutconfig.mozdev.org/ AboutConfig extension]. Starting with Thunderbird 1.5,  about:config is accessible from the "Tools" menu (Options > Advanced > ''Config Editor'' button).  
* There's a version of AboutConfig extension compatible with Nvu [http://glazman.org/nvu/releases/extensions/ here].
* There's a version of AboutConfig extension compatible with Nvu [http://glazman.org/nvu/releases/extensions/ here].
==Adding modifying and resetting preferences==
* To add a new preference, context-click (right-click) anywhere in the list of preferences, select '''New''' then select the type of preference.  ''String'' is a textual value, ''Boolean'' is true or false and ''Integer'' is a numbered value. 
* To modify an existing preference, context-click (right-click) on the  preference, select '''Modify''' then type in the new value you wish to set. 
* To reset a preference to its default value or to remove an added preference, context-click (right-click) on the  preference, select '''Reset'''.


==about:config entries==
==about:config entries==


[[about:config entries | This article]] contains a list of valid about:config entries and their possible values. '''That article is a reference for what each preference does, it is not the place to edit your preferences.'''
[[about:config entries | This article]] contains a list of valid about:config entries and their possible values. (That article is a reference for what each preference does, it is not the place to edit your preferences.)


==References==
==References==
* [http://www.mozilla.org/catalog/end-user/customizing/briefprefs.html A brief guide to Mozilla preferences]
* [http://www.mozilla.org/catalog/end-user/customizing/briefprefs.html A brief guide to Mozilla preferences]
* [http://mozillazine.org/misc/about:config/ MozillaZine Tutorial for about:config] — Step by step guide with screenshots.
* [http://mozillazine.org/misc/about:config/ MozillaZine Tutorial for about:config] — Step by step guide with screenshots.
* [http://preferential.mozdev.org/ Preferential extension] — An about:config-like extension that has some extra features (documentation for some of the preferences, for example).
* [http://ilias.ca/mozilla/customizing/ Mozilla Help: Editing Configuration files] —  user site: ilias.ca
* [http://preferential.mozdev.org/ Preferential extension] — An extension similar to about:config with extra features, such as documentation for some preferences.
* [[About protocol links]] — other about: pages.
* [[About protocol links]] — other about: pages.

Revision as of 17:27, 8 September 2005

about:config (one of the special About_protocol_links) lists application preferences read from "prefs.js", "user.js" and from program defaults, many of which are not present in the Options and Preferences dialog. You can use about:config to modify these preferences and to add other "hidden" preferences. Warning: Changing these values can, in rare circumstances, break Mozilla Suite, Firefox, or Thunderbird or cause strange behavior. Only modify these preferences if you know what you are doing.

Opening about:config

  • In Firefox and Mozilla Suite, type "about:config" (without quotes) in the Location Bar and press Enter.
  • In Thunderbird, use the AboutConfig extension. Starting with Thunderbird 1.5, about:config is accessible from the "Tools" menu (Options > Advanced > Config Editor button).
  • There's a version of AboutConfig extension compatible with Nvu here.

Adding modifying and resetting preferences

  • To add a new preference, context-click (right-click) anywhere in the list of preferences, select New then select the type of preference. String is a textual value, Boolean is true or false and Integer is a numbered value.
  • To modify an existing preference, context-click (right-click) on the preference, select Modify then type in the new value you wish to set.
  • To reset a preference to its default value or to remove an added preference, context-click (right-click) on the preference, select Reset.

about:config entries

This article contains a list of valid about:config entries and their possible values. (That article is a reference for what each preference does, it is not the place to edit your preferences.)

References