1609605 - Refresh Firefox article doesn't make it clear add-on data will be removed

Status: RESOLVED INVALID

(support.mozilla.org :: Knowledge Base Content, defect)

Description

[[e-mail]]

User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:72.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/72.0

Steps to reproduce:

"Refresh Firefox", from support.mozilla.org

Actual results:

Firefox was "refreshed". Scripts were deleted.

Expected results:

Data not listed in the "These items and settings will be removed:" section should not have been removed.

Comment 1

[Gingerbread Man]

(In reply to [e-mail] from comment #0)

Data not listed in the "These items and settings will be removed:" section

The very first item listed is "Extensions and themes". I think it's a given that a feature meant to give you a fresh start that removes add-ons also discards their data. That being said, feel free to edit the support article if you'd like to improve the wording.

Additionally, clicking the Refresh Firefox button either on the support article or on about:support pops up a confirmation prompt that says

This will:
Remove your add-ons and customizations
Restore your browser settings to their defaults

Comment 2

[MarjaE]

"The refresh feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, and open tabs."

Maybe you don't consider settings changes, user css, and add-ons to protect against seizures and migraines "essential information" but I for one do.

Several years ago, I refreshed Firefox and was badly hurt. Now I know better. But users shouldn't have to learn through getting hurt.

Comment 3

[Gingerbread Man]

(In reply to MarjaE from comment #2)

settings changes, user css, and add-ons

All those are already mentioned in the article:

These items and settings will be removed:
    Extensions and themes
    …
    Modified preferences
    …
    User styles (chrome subfolder containing userChrome and/or userContent CSS files, if previously created.)