Editing configuration: Difference between revisions

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Mozilla applications are highly customizable, and there are a number of standard ways to change their appearance and behaviour. Basic settings can be changed using the application's dialog boxes. The main Options or Preferences dialogs can be reached from the "Tools" or "Edit" menus. (See [[menu differences in Windows, Linux, and Mac]].)
Mozilla applications are highly customizable, and there are a number of ways to change their appearance and behavior, such as through [https://addons.mozilla.org extensions and themes].    Basic settings can be changed using the application's own dialog boxes. The main Options or Preferences dialogs can be reached from the "Tools" or "Edit" menus (see [[menu differences in Windows, Linux, and Mac]]).  


==Modifying preferences—adding, removing and setting==
This article describes more advanced methods of customizing Mozilla applications, by editing the configuration files.
To make more advanced changes to the application’s behaviour—in particular, if you have been instructed to “set a preference”—you should either edit the [[user.js file]], or use the [[about:config]] interface. Note that whilst it is often quicker to use about:config, editing the "user.js" file has the advantage of portability: your preferences will never be overridden, and they can be transferred to a different profile, or backed up for safe keeping.
 
==Modifying preferences==
Preference settings that are modified from default values are saved in the [[prefs.js file]]. Instead of directly editing this file, Mozilla applications include a configuration editor that can be accessed from the application interface.
 
=== [[about:config]] ===
To modify a preference in a browser application such as Firefox or SeaMonkey, type '''about:config''' into the Location Bar (address bar)  and press Enter. In Thunderbird, choose [[Menu differences in Windows, Linux, and Mac|Tools –> Options]] –> Advanced –> General and press the Config Editor... button.
 
You will be brought to a long list of [[:Category:Preferences|preferences]]. To change an existing preference, double click on it. To add a new preference, context click (right-click on most systems) anywhere and choose New and the type of preference. You will be prompted for the preference name and initial value. For more detailed information, see the [[about:config]] article.
 
While it's easier to use about:config for a single profile, it may be easier to use a [[user.js file]] if you need to make the same changes in many profiles (see the linked article for more information).
 
=== Developer Toolbar ===
Starting in Firefox 16 [https://hacks.mozilla.org/2012/08/new-firefox-command-line-helps-you-develop-faster/], now you can modify preferences from [https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Tools/GCLI Developer Toolbar] (Tools -> Web Developer -> Developer Toolbar) using the command line
pref set ''<preference name>'' ''<value>''
for example
pref set [[javascript.enabled]] false
To reset a preference to its default value, use command line
pref reset ''<preference name>''
To show current value of a preference, use command line
pref show ''<preference name>''


==Modifying appearance==
==Modifying appearance==
To modify the way in which Web pages are displayed, you should edit the [[userContent.css]] file. To modify the appearance of the application itself, you should edit the [[userChrome.css]] file.
To modify the way in which Web pages and e-mails are displayed, you should edit the [[userContent.css]] file. To modify the appearance of the application itself, you should edit the [[userChrome.css]] file.
 
==How to edit configuration files==
===ChromEdit extension===
The [http://webdesigns.ms11.net/chromeditp.html ChromEdit Plus] extension provides a convenient way of editing your configuration files.
ChromEdit Plus is an unofficial, updated version of the original [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/17 ChromEdit] extension [http://cdn.mozdev.org/chromedit/], with more features.
<!-- The [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/17 ChromEdit] extension [http://cdn.mozdev.org/chromedit/] provides a convenient way of editing your configuration files.  As of June 2006,  ChromEdit is not officially available for current Mozilla application versions. -->
 
===Manual editing===
If instead you choose to edit your configuration files using your own text editor, you should consult the [[Editing configuration/Manual editing | Manual editing]] advice.
 
==Troubleshooting==
If you experience problems when editing configuration files, consult the [[Editing configuration/Troubleshooting | Troubleshooting]] article.
 
==See also==
*[[Modify Thunderbird settings]]
*[[Resetting preferences]]


==External links==
==External links==
* The [https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=17 ChromEdit] extension provides a convenient way of editing the configuration files described in this article. Note that version 0.1.1.1 is not compatible with Thunderbird 1.0.2.)
* [http://www.mozilla.org/support/thunderbird/edit Editing Configuration Files (Thunderbird Help)]  
* [https://addons.mozilla.org Extensions and themes] provide many additional features and allow you to change the way your application looks.
* [http://www.mozilla.org/unix/customizing.html Customizing Mozilla]  
* [http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/edit Editing Configuration Files] at Firefox Help
 
* [http://www.mozilla.org/support/thunderbird/edit Editing Configuration Files] at Thunderbird Help


[[Category:Configuration]]
[[Category:Configuration]]

Latest revision as of 14:52, 19 July 2016

Mozilla applications are highly customizable, and there are a number of ways to change their appearance and behavior, such as through extensions and themes. Basic settings can be changed using the application's own dialog boxes. The main Options or Preferences dialogs can be reached from the "Tools" or "Edit" menus (see menu differences in Windows, Linux, and Mac).

This article describes more advanced methods of customizing Mozilla applications, by editing the configuration files.

Modifying preferences

Preference settings that are modified from default values are saved in the prefs.js file. Instead of directly editing this file, Mozilla applications include a configuration editor that can be accessed from the application interface.

about:config

To modify a preference in a browser application such as Firefox or SeaMonkey, type about:config into the Location Bar (address bar) and press Enter. In Thunderbird, choose Tools –> Options –> Advanced –> General and press the Config Editor... button.

You will be brought to a long list of preferences. To change an existing preference, double click on it. To add a new preference, context click (right-click on most systems) anywhere and choose New and the type of preference. You will be prompted for the preference name and initial value. For more detailed information, see the about:config article.

While it's easier to use about:config for a single profile, it may be easier to use a user.js file if you need to make the same changes in many profiles (see the linked article for more information).

Developer Toolbar

Starting in Firefox 16 [1], now you can modify preferences from Developer Toolbar (Tools -> Web Developer -> Developer Toolbar) using the command line

pref set <preference name> <value>

for example

pref set javascript.enabled false

To reset a preference to its default value, use command line

pref reset <preference name>

To show current value of a preference, use command line

pref show <preference name>

Modifying appearance

To modify the way in which Web pages and e-mails are displayed, you should edit the userContent.css file. To modify the appearance of the application itself, you should edit the userChrome.css file.

How to edit configuration files

ChromEdit extension

The ChromEdit Plus extension provides a convenient way of editing your configuration files. ChromEdit Plus is an unofficial, updated version of the original ChromEdit extension [2], with more features.

Manual editing

If instead you choose to edit your configuration files using your own text editor, you should consult the Manual editing advice.

Troubleshooting

If you experience problems when editing configuration files, consult the Troubleshooting article.

See also

External links