How do I turn off autocomplete?
Simple question: How do I turn off autocomplete in the search bar?
Autocomplete is the function which inputs text I did not type into the text box. Autocomplete is not the dropdown beneath the search bar, that is automatic suggestions. Autocomplete is not the feature that fills out forms, that is autofill. Autocomplete has nothing to do with storing browsing history or any other information. It is not a security feature, it is a usability feature. I do not want to turn off automatic suggestions, autofill, cookies, history tracking, or any other information storage or usability functions. I only want to turn off autocomplete. Please tell me how to turn off autocomplete, and only autocomplete. I shouldn't have to go into detail like this but I know from past experience that it can take literally weeks to wade through the endless mis-directions to finally get to an answer that actually addresses autocomplete. So do not respond by telling me anything about shutting off any other features, or I will report your post for spam.
I quit Google Chrome and switched to Mozilla Firefox because Google employees informed me that it is Google's stated intent that not only will there not be any option to turn off autocomplete in their browser, but that they outright wish to suppress any and all attempts to circumvent the feature, as they--and they have told me this directly--wish to force the feature on their users. I hope I will not receive the same attitude from Mozilla on this subject. Autocomplete is not just a minor feature, it is a major problem for my browsing and it is imperative that I have a way to turn it off. Not having a way to turn it off is a deal-breaker for me. I will quit Firefox and find another browser if I cannot turn off autocomplete.
Chosen solution
Go to about:config and set browser.urlbar.autocomplete.enabled = false
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Type about:preferences#privacy<enter> in the address bar. At the bottom of the page, find Location Bar.
I've never experienced autocomplete in the search bar. You probably mean the URL bar.
Yes, I meant the URL bar. My mistake.
I didn't know that the search bar and address bar have different functionality. I might be able to get by on using the search bar instead of the URL bar, but I would much prefer to simply have autocomplete turned off entirely.
Chosen Solution
Go to about:config and set browser.urlbar.autocomplete.enabled = false
It worked! Thanks. It also disabled the dropdown suggestions, though. I'll take it as an acceptable compromise, though I am rather disappointed in having to give up such a useful feature just to shut down a completely unrelated feature which gets in my way.
This "feature" is infuriating. It's like some snatching the wheel and turning the car while you're trying to drive. Why can't we have auto-suggest without auto-this-is-what-you-really-want Mozilla?
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I wanted to update this, because I recently had the same issue and found this question in my search results.
You can go to about:config and change browser.urlbar.autoFill to false. This will remove the autocomplete but keep the suggestions.
GoodToGo said
I wanted to update this, because I recently had the same issue and found this question in my search results.
You can go to about:config and change browser.urlbar.autoFill to false. This will remove the autocomplete but keep the suggestions.
Yes, the suggested address that appears inside the address bar itself as you type is called autofill. If you only want to turn off autofill and not suggestions in the drop-down, this is the best way to do it.
The automatic text in the address bar is called autocomplete, this is a community standard. If Firefox is calling it autofill, then they are going to confuse a lot of users because autofill is the term used for forms automatically filling themselves out with your stored information.
thereaverofdarkness said
. . . because autofill is the term used for forms automatically filling themselves out
Add-ons, not forms. When a page is loaded, the add-on checks for and files out any open input box.