Uninstalling add-ons: Difference between revisions

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(added link to Uninstalling extensions - SeaMonkey which I put together from the "old stuff" that was just removed.)
m (extensions -> add-ons)
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''This article applies to Firefox and Thunderbird.  Mozilla Suite and SeaMonkey users should read [[Uninstalling extensions - SeaMonkey]].''
''This article applies to Firefox and Thunderbird.  Mozilla Suite and SeaMonkey users should read [[Uninstalling extensions - SeaMonkey]].''


Firefox and Thunderbird Add-ons can be uninstalled using the Add-ons dialog.
Firefox and Thunderbird add-ons (extensions and themes) can be uninstalled using the Add-ons dialog.


# Tools -> Add-ons
# Tools -> Add-ons
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If you have trouble uninstalling an add-on:
If you have trouble uninstalling an add-on:
* Make sure you completely closed the application after clicking Uninstall by using the File menu and selecting "Exit". You can even restart your system to make absolutely sure.
* Make sure you completely closed the application after clicking Uninstall by using the File menu and selecting "Exit". You can even restart your system to make absolutely sure.
* If something's wrong with your Firefox or Thunderbird that prevents you from accessing the Add-ons dialog, you can start it in [[Safe Mode]] to uninstall the extension.
* If something's wrong with your Firefox or Thunderbird that prevents you from accessing the Add-ons dialog, you can start it in [[Safe Mode]] to uninstall the add-on.
* If the uninstall button and menu item are disabled, the add-on is ''locked''. To uninstall a locked extension, you'll first have to unlock it via [[Safe Mode]].
* If the uninstall button and menu item are disabled, the add-on is ''locked''. To uninstall a locked add-on, you'll first have to unlock it via [[Safe Mode]].
* The extension repeatedly shows "This item will be uninstalled after you restart Firefox" even after restarting. In this case, do not use the uninstaller extensions. Either [[Profile Manager | create a new profile]] or try uninstalling manually.
* The add-on repeatedly shows "This item will be uninstalled after you restart Firefox" even after restarting. In this case, do not use the uninstaller extensions. Either [[Profile Manager | create a new profile]] or try uninstalling manually.
* If you're using Firefox or Thunderbird 1.5 and you have an entry that ends in ".xpi" and does nothing when clicking on it, delete the following files from your [[profile folder]][http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=341929][https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=319022]:
* If you're using Firefox or Thunderbird 1.5 and you have an entry that ends in ".xpi" and does nothing when clicking on it, delete the following files from your [[profile folder]][http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=341929][https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=319022]:
**<tt>extensions.cache</tt>
**<tt>extensions.cache</tt>
Line 22: Line 22:
**<tt>extensions.rdf</tt>
**<tt>extensions.rdf</tt>


==Uninstalling an extension manually - Advanced==
==Uninstalling an add-on manually - Advanced==
[[kill application | Exit your Mozilla application]], go to your [[profile folder]] and open the <tt>extensions</tt> directory.  Each directory there is an extension.  Remove the directory that corresponds to the extension you want to uninstall.  (To uninstall ALL extensions,  remove the entire <tt>extensions</tt> directory)
[[kill application | Exit your Mozilla application]], go to your [[profile folder]] and open the <tt>extensions</tt> directory.  Each directory there is an extension.  Remove the directory that corresponds to the add-on you want to uninstall.  (To uninstall ALL add-ons,  remove the entire <tt>extensions</tt> directory)


If an extension directory there does not have a meaningful name, look inside it for its <tt>install.rdf</tt> file.  Open that file in a text editor (such as Notepad) to see which extension the directory contains. Alternatively, in the parent folder <tt>extensions.rdf</tt> contains a list of extensions, their names and corresponding extension GUIDs.  
If an add-on directory there does not have a meaningful name, look inside it for its <tt>install.rdf</tt> file.  Open that file in a text editor (such as Notepad) to see which add-on the directory contains. Alternatively, in the parent folder <tt>extensions.rdf</tt> contains a list of add-ons, their names and corresponding add-on GUIDs.  


==Global extensions==
==Global add-on==
In rare cases, an extension may be [[Installing extensions#Global_installation | installed globally]]. Installing an extension globally is something an administrator might do so that the extension can be used by any user on the machine. To manually uninstall a global extension, open the extensions directory in the [[installation directory]]'s and remove the directory that corresponds to the extension you want to uninstall.[http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=1977486#1977486]
In rare cases, an add-on may be [[Installing extensions#Global_installation | installed globally]]. Installing an add-on globally is something an administrator might do so that the add-on can be used by any user on the machine. To manually uninstall a global add-on, open the add-ons directory in the [[installation directory]]'s and remove the directory that corresponds to the add-on you want to uninstall.[http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=1977486#1977486]


[[Category:Installation and update (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Installation and update (Firefox)]]

Revision as of 17:14, 11 June 2007

This article applies to Firefox and Thunderbird. Mozilla Suite and SeaMonkey users should read Uninstalling extensions - SeaMonkey.

Firefox and Thunderbird add-ons (extensions and themes) can be uninstalled using the Add-ons dialog.

  1. Tools -> Add-ons
  2. Click on the Extensions or Themes button on the top.
  3. Click on the Extension or Theme you want to uninstall.
  4. Click Uninstall.
  5. Restart Firefox or Thunderbird.

Uninstalling an extension might not completely remove all of the extension's data. For example, if you reinstall the extension, then you might find that it still uses its previous settings. There is no general way to remove all of an extension's data.

Troubleshooting

If you have trouble uninstalling an add-on:

  • Make sure you completely closed the application after clicking Uninstall by using the File menu and selecting "Exit". You can even restart your system to make absolutely sure.
  • If something's wrong with your Firefox or Thunderbird that prevents you from accessing the Add-ons dialog, you can start it in Safe Mode to uninstall the add-on.
  • If the uninstall button and menu item are disabled, the add-on is locked. To uninstall a locked add-on, you'll first have to unlock it via Safe Mode.
  • The add-on repeatedly shows "This item will be uninstalled after you restart Firefox" even after restarting. In this case, do not use the uninstaller extensions. Either create a new profile or try uninstalling manually.
  • If you're using Firefox or Thunderbird 1.5 and you have an entry that ends in ".xpi" and does nothing when clicking on it, delete the following files from your profile folder[1][2]:
    • extensions.cache
    • extensions.ini
    • extensions.rdf

Uninstalling an add-on manually - Advanced

Exit your Mozilla application, go to your profile folder and open the extensions directory. Each directory there is an extension. Remove the directory that corresponds to the add-on you want to uninstall. (To uninstall ALL add-ons, remove the entire extensions directory)

If an add-on directory there does not have a meaningful name, look inside it for its install.rdf file. Open that file in a text editor (such as Notepad) to see which add-on the directory contains. Alternatively, in the parent folder extensions.rdf contains a list of add-ons, their names and corresponding add-on GUIDs.

Global add-on

In rare cases, an add-on may be installed globally. Installing an add-on globally is something an administrator might do so that the add-on can be used by any user on the machine. To manually uninstall a global add-on, open the add-ons directory in the installation directory's and remove the directory that corresponds to the add-on you want to uninstall.[3]