How to remove Bing from FF 83?
ok I updated my FF browser to version 83 on my Win 7 machine
- also did this on another PC that has Win 10 PC
Both are set to use Google ONLY as ALL other search engines have been removed. Since updating to the last version 83, it shows only Google - even Google as the homepage. But every search starts Bing or occasionally Yahoo search results are shown. I HATE Bing it is a virus and every few years it sneaks in on an update. Bing is hidden, but shows up after updates are installed.
The ONLY update I have done is FF as it has that continuous nag popping up to tell you its out of date.
So without resetting FF (which I found to not do anything useful, it removed my stuff, but still messed up), can I uninstall this latest version and install version 82 to remove Bing?
- The FF Nag will come back telling me its unsafe/out of date but if Google works without Bing it would be great :)
Modified by NoahSUMO
All Replies (4)
Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; (<Control> [Mac=<Command>] <Shift> A)
In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Remove “ Bing “ Anything.
Also remove SafeSearch, SearchAssist Incognito, FileConverter Addon, SearchLock, DiscreteSearch, WebSearch, Findwide Search Engine, securedsearch
Now do the same in the computer’s Programs Folder.
Windows: Start > Control Panel > Uninstall Programs. Mac: Open the Applications folder. Linux: Check your user manual.
Thank you
But there is no bing listed to be removed.
a search shows no bing - sadly it is a hidden thing
had to uninstall ver 83 and installed 82.02
1st saved my bookmarks. then uninstalled ver 83 bing is gone so were bookmarks [restored from backup] sadly all saved sites and passwords are gone. ugh slowly restoring those from my memory. ;)
Modified by starnesent
Type about:preferences#search<enter> in the address bar. You can select any search engine to be your default from here.
You can also remove any engine from here.
To reset the search engines, remove these files in the Firefox profile folder; search.json + search-metadata.json + search.sqlite + search.json.mozlz4
search.json.mozlz4 ==only== (v45+)
New files are created when needed.
When you install an older version, Firefox creates a new profile to avoid potential problems with using upgraded data and settings files. In this process, the settings and extensions are left behind. As you install things again, be on the lookout for any similar hijacking behavior coming from those changes.
To copy your saved logins between your Firefox 83 profile and your Firefox 82 profile is a bit of a chore, but here's how you would do it:
(A) Open a Windows (File) Explorer window for each profile folder
In Firefox, type or paste about:profiles in the address bar and press Enter to load the page.
This page should list at least two profiles, each of which has two folders and one or more buttons. Do not use any Remove buttons!
The profile that Firefox is currently using will have this:
This is the profile in use and it cannot be deleted.
Click the "Open Folder" button on the row that says Root Directory. Windows Explorer should pop up. This is the "Destination" folder so I suggest moving it to the right side of the screen (if it's maximized, change it back to a resizable window so you can move it).
Now... how many other profiles are there? If there's only one, great, click the "Open Folder" button on the row that says Root Directory for that profile. This opens the "Source" folder and I suggest moving it to the left side of the screen.
But what if the page lists more than 2 profiles? Hmm. The one you need is the one that cannot be run in Firefox 82. Test each one by clicking its Launch profile in new browser button and see whether Firefox opens it -- this is not the one you want -- or says it won't -- that is the one you want.
(B) Transfer key data files
Close/Exit your Firefox window(s) and give it several seconds to shut down. We don't want any files to be locked.
Right side Destination window
Right-click > Rename each of the following files:
- logins.json => loginsOLD.json
- key4.db => key4OLD.db
You may wonder why you are renaming these files when they are useless anyway. It's in case you've mixed up the two windows.
Left side Source window
Select the following two files by single-clicking the first one and Ctrl+clicking the second one:
- logins.json
- key4.db
Then right-click either of those files and click Copy.
Right side Destination window
Right-click a blank area and click Paste.
[In theory, you can repeat with other files. This article has tips on what you might want to look for: Recovering important data from an old profile]
(C) Start Firefox and check for the transferred data
Any luck?
If the upgraded files are compatible with the older version, Firefox usually will happily use them. If the format isn't backwards compatible, nothing should be broken, but you will have no saved logins.
If you need to undo the change:
Right side Destination folder
- right-click logins.json => Delete
- right-click key4.db => Delete
- right-click loginsOLD.json => Rename to logins.json
- right-click key4OLD.db => Rename to key4.db