Safe Mode: Difference between revisions

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{{appliesto2|Firefox|Thunderbird|Extensions}}  ''This article also applies to {{SeaMonkey}} 2.0 and above.''
'''Safe Mode''' is a debugging startup mode available in Firefox, Thunderbird, and {{SeaMonkey}} 2,  where all added extensions are disabled,  the default theme is used,  and default [[localstore.rdf|localstore]] settings (toolbar settings and controls) are used.  Safe Mode also disables  [http://hacks.mozilla.org/2010/09/hardware-acceleration/ hardware acceleration], the Just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compiler, and any changes made via [[userContent.css]] and [[userChrome.css]].  Any changes made to preference settings remain in effect in Safe Mode, however,  and all available plugins are used.  To summarize:
*Safe Mode temporarily affects the following:
:All extensions are disabled.
:The default theme is used, without a persona.
:The Just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compiler is disabled.
:The userChrome.css and userContent.css files are ignored.
:The default toolbar layout is used.
:Hardware acceleration is disabled.
*Safe Mode has no effect on the following:
:The status of plugins is not affected.
:Custom preferences are not affected.


'''Safe Mode''' is a debugging startup mode where all added extensions are disabled,  the default theme is used,  and default [[localstore.rdf|localstore]] settings (toolbar settings and controls) are used.  Starting in Firefox 3.5,  the new Just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compiler is also disabled. 
Safe Mode also includes a number of troubleshooting options that allow you to make certain changes upon restarting your Mozilla application ([[#Safe Mode options|see below]]).  
 
Note, however, that any changes made to preference settings remain in effect and all available plugins are used  ([https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=342333 bug 342333]).  In Firefox 3.5 and below, any changes made via [[userContent.css]] and [[userChrome.css]]  remain in effect ([https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=333808 bug 333808], fixed in Firefox 3.6).
 
In Firefox, Safe Mode includes a number of troubleshooting options that allow you to make changes upon browser restart, such as disabling all add-ons  or resetting preferences.  ([[#Safe Mode options in Firefox|see below]]).  


==Starting Safe Mode==
==Starting Safe Mode==
===All systems===
===All systems===
*'''Starting in Firefox 4,''' you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode via "Help -> Restart with Add-ons disabled...". When Firefox restarts,  the [[#Safe Mode options in Firefox|Firefox Safe Mode options]] window will appear (see below). [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=542122]
*In current versions of Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey 2, you can restart in Safe Mode via "'''Help -> Restart with Add-ons disabled...'''". A [[#Safe Mode options| Safe Mode options]] window will appear when they restart (see below). [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=542122] [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=573538]


To enter Safe Mode in other Mozilla applications (or if you can't use the Help menu because Firefox 4 does not open) you must first [[Kill application | make sure Firefox/Thunderbird/SeaMonkey is not running in the background]] (including all windows like the Download Manager that open in a separate window) before following the instructions given below.  
To enter Safe Mode in previous versions  (or if you can't open your Mozilla application to use the Help menu) you must first [[Kill application | make sure Firefox/Thunderbird/SeaMonkey is not running in the background]] (including all windows like the Download Manager that open in a separate window) before following the instructions given below.


===Windows===
===Windows===
Use one of these methods to start your Mozilla application in Safe Mode.  ''This should not be confused with restarting the computer in Windows Safe Mode!''
Use one of these methods to start your Mozilla application in Safe Mode.  ''This should not be confused with restarting the computer in Windows Safe Mode!''


*'''Starting in Firefox 4''': Hold down the Shift key while double-clicking the Firefox icon. [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=602562] [http://blog.mozilla.com/rstrong/2011/01/21/windows-safe-mode-and-shortcut-changes-for-firefox-4-0-beta-10]
*In current Mozilla application versions, hold down the Shift key while double-clicking the Firefox/Thunderbird/SeaMonkey icon.   (If the [[Profile Manager]] opens, select a profile and then hold down the Shift key again while clicking the "Start Firefox" button.[http://blog.mozilla.com/rstrong/2011/01/21/windows-safe-mode-and-shortcut-changes-for-firefox-4-0-beta-10] [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=602562]  


*In other Mozilla applications, use the "Mozilla Firefox (Safe Mode)", "SeaMonkey (Safe Mode)", "Mozilla Thunderbird (Safe Mode)", or "Mozilla Thunderbird (No Extensions)" shortcut in the Mozilla Firefox, SeaMonkey, or Mozilla Thunderbird program folder on the Windows Start Menu.  
*In older versions, use the "Mozilla Firefox (Safe Mode)", "SeaMonkey (Safe Mode)", "Mozilla Thunderbird (Safe Mode)", or "Mozilla Thunderbird (No Extensions)" shortcut in the Mozilla Firefox, SeaMonkey, or Mozilla Thunderbird program folder on the Windows Start Menu.


As an alternative to the above methods, you can select "Start -> Run" (on Windows 7/Vista, enable the Run box, as described [http://blogs.msdn.com/tims/archive/2006/09/18/windows-vista-secret-3-bringing-back-start-run.aspx here]) and enter the following in the Windows Run box:  
As an alternative method, press "Windows key [[Image:Windows_Key.png]] + R" on the keyboard to open a Run dialog (or click "Start → Run..." on Windows XP) and enter the following in the Run box:  


For Firefox, one of these:
For Firefox, one of these:
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===Mac OS X===
===Mac OS X===
Hold the Option key while starting your Mozilla application. [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=311466]   If the [[Profile Manager]] opens, select a profile and then hold down the Option key again while clicking the button to start Firefox, Thunderbird, or SeaMonkey.
Hold down the Option key while starting your Mozilla application.  (If the [[Profile Manager]] opens, select a profile and then hold down the Option key again while clicking the button to start Firefox, Thunderbird, or SeaMonkey.)  [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=311466]


As an alternate method, go to Utilities (in the Applications folder) and open Terminal, then run:  
As an alternate method, go to Utilities (in the Applications folder) and open Terminal, then run:  
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==How to know you are in Safe Mode==
==How to know you are in Safe Mode==
'''Thunderbird and SeaMonkey 2'''
'''Thunderbird and SeaMonkey 2.0'''
*All extensions will be disabled.  You will still be able to select them in the Add-ons/Extensions list but only for the purpose of upgrading or uninstalling (the options button will be disabled).
*All extensions will be disabled.  You will still be able to select them in the Add-ons/Extensions list but only for the purpose of upgrading or uninstalling (the options button will be disabled).
* Default toolbar settings and controls will be used.
* Default toolbar settings and controls will be used.
* The default theme will be used.
* The default theme will be used.


'''Firefox'''
'''Firefox and SeaMonkey 2.1 or above'''
* A window called ''Firefox Safe Mode'' with some troubleshooting options appears.  
* A window called "Firefox Safe Mode" or "SeaMonkey Safe Mode" with some troubleshooting options appears ([[#Safe Mode options|see below]]).  
At that point, you can either continue to Safe Mode or select some troubleshooting options and restart Firefox in normal mode to apply the changes.
At that point, you can either continue to Safe Mode or select some troubleshooting options and restart in normal mode to apply the changes.


If you choose to continue in Safe Mode:
If you choose to continue in Safe Mode:
* All extensions will be disabled (but this will not reset any Firefox preferences that some extensions may modify).
* All extensions will be disabled (but this will not reset any preferences that some extensions may modify).
* Firefox will be using the default theme.  
* Firefox or SeaMonkey will be using the default theme.  
* Default toolbar settings and controls will be used [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=303279].
* Default toolbar settings and controls will be used [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=303279].


If you choose any of the troubleshooting options, the changes  are only applied if you choose ''Make Changes and Restart''.
If you choose any of the troubleshooting options, the changes  are only applied if you choose ''Make Changes and Restart''.


==Safe Mode options in Firefox==
==Safe Mode options ==
When you select any of these options and choose the "Make changes and restart" button, Firefox will restart in normal mode and the selected changes will be made. [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=304403]
{{Right-pic|SafeMode-fx35.png}}
'''Firefox 15 and above:'''
 
When you restart in Safe Mode, you will see a Firefox Safe Mode window with two buttons:
*'''Start in Safe Mode''' - This will run Firefox in Safe Mode without making any changes.
*'''Refresh Firefox''' ("Reset Firefox" previous to Firefox 35) - This will [https://support.mozilla.org/kb/reset-firefox-easily-fix-most-problems reset Firefox] to a default state by creating a new [[profile]], migrating only essential data (bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies, and form-fill data) and then moving all of the old Firefox data to a folder on the desktop.  '''Warning! This change cannot be reversed''' without manually [[transferring data to a new profile - Firefox|transferring the old Firefox data back to the new profile]].
 
'''Note:''' In Firefox 48 and below, when multiple profiles exist, the "Refresh Firefox" feature is only available in the "default" profile (e.g., the last profile started in the [[Profile Manager]], which would be  the profile that includes the line "Default=1" in the [[profiles.ini file]]).  this option does not appear if you [[Bypassing the Profile Manager|bypass the Profile Manager]] to start a non-default profile.  This is fixed in Firefox 49 ([https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1265368 bug 1265368]). [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=732303] [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=749700] [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Support/Firefox_Features/Clean_up_user_profile] [https://support.mozilla.org/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode/discuss/2453] [https://support.mozilla.org/forums/knowledge-base-articles/708530]
 
'''Firefox 14 and below, SeaMonkey 2, and Thunderbird:'''
 
'''Note:''' To  '''run in Safe Mode''' without making any changes, just click the "Continue in Safe Mode"  button when the Safe Mode window appears.  When you select the checkbox for any of these troubleshooting options and click the "Make changes and restart" button, your Mozilla application will restart in normal mode with the selected changes.  '''Warning:''' These changes will be permanent, meaning they will remain in effect in subsequent browser sessions. '''Some of these changes will be hard to reverse unless you have a recent [[profile backup]].'''  [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=304403]
 
{{Right-pic|SafeMode-TB80.png}}
{{Right-pic|SM2SafeMode.png}}


{{Right-pic|SafeMode-Fx35.png}}
The following Safe Mode options are available in Firefox 14 and below,  in current versions of SeaMonkey, and in Thunderbird, as indicated.  
*'''Disable all add-ons''' - Disables all themes and extensions; starting in Firefox 3.5, this option also disables all installed plugins. [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=409959]  You can use "Tools -> Add-ons" to selectively re-enable them when you restart Firefox (details [[Standard diagnostic - Firefox |here]]).     
*'''Disable all add-ons''' - Disables all themes and extensions; starting in Firefox 3.5, this option also disables all installed plugins. [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=409959]  To reverse this change,  use the Add-ons Manager to selectively re-enable each add-on when you restart Firefox (details [[Standard diagnostic - Firefox |here]]).     
*'''Reset toolbars and controls''' -  Removes any [[Toolbar customization - Firefox#Customizing_toolbars_and_buttons| toolbar customizations]] you may have made via the "Customize Toolbar" dialog.  Also restores default window size/position and tree sort order and resolves various  [[Corrupt localstore.rdf|localstore  corruption issues]].  
*'''Reset toolbars and controls''' (Firefox, Thunderbird) or '''Reset toolbars and window sizes''' (SeaMonkey) -  Removes any [[Toolbar customization#Customizing_toolbars_and_buttons| toolbar customizations]] you may have made via the "Customize Toolbar" dialog.  Also restores default window size/position and tree sort order and resolves various  [[Corrupt localstore.rdf|localstore  corruption issues]]. '''Warning:  Unless you made a backup copy of [[localstore.rdf]], this change cannot be reversed without re-customizing your toolbars.'''  
*'''Reset bookmarks to Firefox defaults''' (Firefox 3.5 and below) or '''Delete all bookmarks except for backups''' (Firefox 3.6 and above [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=503457]) - Replaces your bookmarks with Firefox defaults (your browsing history is left intact).  Caution: If you select this option and want to undo the change will need to [[Lost bookmarks#Restoring_bookmarks_from_backup|restore your bookmarks from backup]].  
*'''Delete all bookmarks except for backups''' (SeaMonkey or Firefox 3.6 and above [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=503457]) or '''Reset bookmarks to Firefox defaults''' (Firefox 3.5 and below) - Replaces your bookmarks with the default set of bookmarks (your browsing history is left intact).  If you select this option and want to undo the change, you will need to [[Lost bookmarks#Restoring_bookmarks_from_backup|restore your bookmarks from backup]].  
*'''Reset all user preferences to Firefox defaults:''' - Resets any user-set preferences to the default values (except for those set in the optional [[user.js file]]) and restores the default theme.  Does not affect any [[userChrome.css]] or [[userContent.css]] changes.
*'''Reset all user preferences to''' ('''Firefox''' or '''SeaMonkey''') '''defaults''' - Resets any user-set preferences to the default values (except for those set in the optional [[user.js file]]) and restores the default theme.  Does not affect any [[userChrome.css]] or [[userContent.css]] changes. <u>In SeaMonkey, selecting this option is not recommended because it removes all Mail and Newsgroup Account settings and access to saved mail will be lost for those accounts.</u>  '''Warning: This change cannot be reversed unless you made a backup copy of the [[prefs.js file]].''' 
*'''Restore default search engines''' - Adds back all of the default search engines (currently Google, Yahoo, Amazon.com,  Answers.com, Creative Commons, eBay, and in Firefox 3, Wikipedia) if some are missing. It  does not remove any added search engines.
*'''Restore default search engines''' - Adds back all of the default search engines included with your version of Firefox or SeaMonkey, if some are missing. It  does not remove any added search engines and you can later remove any unwanted search engines that were added back.


'''Buttons'''
'''Buttons'''
*'''Make Changes and Restart''' -  This restarts Firefox in normal mode and applies the changes in any of the options selected above.
*'''Make Changes and Restart''' -  This restarts the application in normal mode and applies '''permanent changes''' in any of the options selected above.
*'''Continue in Safe Mode''' -  Starts Firefox in Safe Mode (this will not apply any of the options selected above).
*'''Continue in Safe Mode''' -  Starts the application in Safe Mode (this will not apply any of the options selected above).
*'''Exit'''
*'''Exit'''


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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+Mode Safe Mode (Firefox Support)]
*[https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode Safe Mode] (Firefox Support)


===Related bug reports===
===Related bug reports===
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=294260 Bug 294260 - Safe Mode: Auto detect previous start-up failure and offer to start in safe mode] (Fixed in Firefox 13) 
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=303279 Bug 303279 -  Safe Mode: Use "safe" localstore]
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=303279 Bug 303279 -  Safe Mode: Use "safe" localstore]
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=304403 Bug 304403 -  better safe mode UE]
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=304403 Bug 304403 -  better safe mode UE]
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* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=453642 Bug 453642 -  Safe mode should disable JIT] (Fixed in Firefox 3.5)
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=453642 Bug 453642 -  Safe mode should disable JIT] (Fixed in Firefox 3.5)
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=478846 Bug 478846 -  Safe mode should not disable JIT]
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=478846 Bug 478846 -  Safe mode should not disable JIT]
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=573538 Bug 573538 - No options for Safe-Mode] (fixed in SeaMonkey 2.1)
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=591139 Bug 591139 - Disable hardware acceleration in safe mode] (Fixed in Firefox 4)
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=542122 Bug 542122 - Add menu command to restart in safe mode] (Fixed in Firefox 4)
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=542122 Bug 542122 - Add menu command to restart in safe mode] (Fixed in Firefox 4)
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=602562 Bug 602562 - Add keyboard modifier to start in safe mode for windows] (Fixed in Firefox 4)  
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=602562 Bug 602562 - Add keyboard modifier to start in safe mode for windows] (Fixed in Firefox 4)
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=732303 Bug 732303 - Redesign safe mode dialog with the profile reset option] (Fixed in Firefox 15)


[[Category:Issues (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Issues (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Startup - Firefox]]
[[Category:Startup - Firefox]]
[[Category:Extensions (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Extensions (Thunderbird)]]
[[Category:SeaMonkey]]
[[Category:SeaMonkey]]

Latest revision as of 12:21, 14 September 2016

Safe Mode is a debugging startup mode available in Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey 2, where all added extensions are disabled, the default theme is used, and default localstore settings (toolbar settings and controls) are used. Safe Mode also disables hardware acceleration, the Just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compiler, and any changes made via userContent.css and userChrome.css. Any changes made to preference settings remain in effect in Safe Mode, however, and all available plugins are used. To summarize:

  • Safe Mode temporarily affects the following:
All extensions are disabled.
The default theme is used, without a persona.
The Just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compiler is disabled.
The userChrome.css and userContent.css files are ignored.
The default toolbar layout is used.
Hardware acceleration is disabled.
  • Safe Mode has no effect on the following:
The status of plugins is not affected.
Custom preferences are not affected.

Safe Mode also includes a number of troubleshooting options that allow you to make certain changes upon restarting your Mozilla application (see below).

Starting Safe Mode

All systems

  • In current versions of Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey 2, you can restart in Safe Mode via "Help -> Restart with Add-ons disabled...". A Safe Mode options window will appear when they restart (see below). [1] [2]

To enter Safe Mode in previous versions (or if you can't open your Mozilla application to use the Help menu) you must first make sure Firefox/Thunderbird/SeaMonkey is not running in the background (including all windows like the Download Manager that open in a separate window) before following the instructions given below.

Windows

Use one of these methods to start your Mozilla application in Safe Mode. This should not be confused with restarting the computer in Windows Safe Mode!

  • In current Mozilla application versions, hold down the Shift key while double-clicking the Firefox/Thunderbird/SeaMonkey icon. (If the Profile Manager opens, select a profile and then hold down the Shift key again while clicking the "Start Firefox" button.) [3] [4]
  • In older versions, use the "Mozilla Firefox (Safe Mode)", "SeaMonkey (Safe Mode)", "Mozilla Thunderbird (Safe Mode)", or "Mozilla Thunderbird (No Extensions)" shortcut in the Mozilla Firefox, SeaMonkey, or Mozilla Thunderbird program folder on the Windows Start Menu.

As an alternative method, press "Windows key + R" on the keyboard to open a Run dialog (or click "Start → Run..." on Windows XP) and enter the following in the Run box:

For Firefox, one of these:

  • firefox -safe-mode
  • "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode
  • "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode

For Thunderbird, one of these:

  • thunderbird -safe-mode
  • "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe" -safe-mode
  • "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe" -safe-mode

For SeaMonkey, one of these:

  • seamonkey -safe-mode
  • "C:\Program Files\SeaMonkey\seamonkey.exe" -safe-mode
  • "C:\Program Files (x86)\SeaMonkey\seamonkey.exe" -safe-mode

Adjust the path accordingly based on the actual installation directory (e.g., on 64-bit Windows, use "Program Files (x86)" instead of "Program Files") or if you installed your Mozilla program in a different location than shown above.

Linux

On Linux, you can go to your Terminal and run (for Firefox):

  • /path/to/firefox/firefox -safe-mode

Mac OS X

Hold down the Option key while starting your Mozilla application. (If the Profile Manager opens, select a profile and then hold down the Option key again while clicking the button to start Firefox, Thunderbird, or SeaMonkey.) [5]

As an alternate method, go to Utilities (in the Applications folder) and open Terminal, then run:

For Firefox:

  • /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox-bin -safe-mode

For Thunderbird:

  • /Applications/Thunderbird.app/Contents/MacOS/thunderbird-bin -safe-mode

For SeaMonkey:

  • /Applications/SeaMonkey.app/Contents/MacOS/seamonkey-bin -safe-mode

If you have installed the application to another location, modify the path as such. It's the "-safe-mode" command line parameter that's crucial here.

How to know you are in Safe Mode

Thunderbird and SeaMonkey 2.0

  • All extensions will be disabled. You will still be able to select them in the Add-ons/Extensions list but only for the purpose of upgrading or uninstalling (the options button will be disabled).
  • Default toolbar settings and controls will be used.
  • The default theme will be used.

Firefox and SeaMonkey 2.1 or above

  • A window called "Firefox Safe Mode" or "SeaMonkey Safe Mode" with some troubleshooting options appears (see below).

At that point, you can either continue to Safe Mode or select some troubleshooting options and restart in normal mode to apply the changes.

If you choose to continue in Safe Mode:

  • All extensions will be disabled (but this will not reset any preferences that some extensions may modify).
  • Firefox or SeaMonkey will be using the default theme.
  • Default toolbar settings and controls will be used [6].

If you choose any of the troubleshooting options, the changes are only applied if you choose Make Changes and Restart.

Safe Mode options

Firefox 15 and above:

When you restart in Safe Mode, you will see a Firefox Safe Mode window with two buttons:

  • Start in Safe Mode - This will run Firefox in Safe Mode without making any changes.
  • Refresh Firefox ("Reset Firefox" previous to Firefox 35) - This will reset Firefox to a default state by creating a new profile, migrating only essential data (bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies, and form-fill data) and then moving all of the old Firefox data to a folder on the desktop. Warning! This change cannot be reversed without manually transferring the old Firefox data back to the new profile.

Note: In Firefox 48 and below, when multiple profiles exist, the "Refresh Firefox" feature is only available in the "default" profile (e.g., the last profile started in the Profile Manager, which would be the profile that includes the line "Default=1" in the profiles.ini file). this option does not appear if you bypass the Profile Manager to start a non-default profile. This is fixed in Firefox 49 (bug 1265368). [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Firefox 14 and below, SeaMonkey 2, and Thunderbird:

Note: To run in Safe Mode without making any changes, just click the "Continue in Safe Mode" button when the Safe Mode window appears. When you select the checkbox for any of these troubleshooting options and click the "Make changes and restart" button, your Mozilla application will restart in normal mode with the selected changes. Warning: These changes will be permanent, meaning they will remain in effect in subsequent browser sessions. Some of these changes will be hard to reverse unless you have a recent profile backup. [12]

The following Safe Mode options are available in Firefox 14 and below, in current versions of SeaMonkey, and in Thunderbird, as indicated.

  • Disable all add-ons - Disables all themes and extensions; starting in Firefox 3.5, this option also disables all installed plugins. [13] To reverse this change, use the Add-ons Manager to selectively re-enable each add-on when you restart Firefox (details here).
  • Reset toolbars and controls (Firefox, Thunderbird) or Reset toolbars and window sizes (SeaMonkey) - Removes any toolbar customizations you may have made via the "Customize Toolbar" dialog. Also restores default window size/position and tree sort order and resolves various localstore corruption issues. Warning: Unless you made a backup copy of localstore.rdf, this change cannot be reversed without re-customizing your toolbars.
  • Delete all bookmarks except for backups (SeaMonkey or Firefox 3.6 and above [14]) or Reset bookmarks to Firefox defaults (Firefox 3.5 and below) - Replaces your bookmarks with the default set of bookmarks (your browsing history is left intact). If you select this option and want to undo the change, you will need to restore your bookmarks from backup.
  • Reset all user preferences to (Firefox or SeaMonkey) defaults - Resets any user-set preferences to the default values (except for those set in the optional user.js file) and restores the default theme. Does not affect any userChrome.css or userContent.css changes. In SeaMonkey, selecting this option is not recommended because it removes all Mail and Newsgroup Account settings and access to saved mail will be lost for those accounts. Warning: This change cannot be reversed unless you made a backup copy of the prefs.js file.
  • Restore default search engines - Adds back all of the default search engines included with your version of Firefox or SeaMonkey, if some are missing. It does not remove any added search engines and you can later remove any unwanted search engines that were added back.

Buttons

  • Make Changes and Restart - This restarts the application in normal mode and applies permanent changes in any of the options selected above.
  • Continue in Safe Mode - Starts the application in Safe Mode (this will not apply any of the options selected above).
  • Exit

See also

External links

Related bug reports