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Enter in Privacy Mode still recovers data from normal navigation. This didn't happen before the update (42.0)

gabyfromcat
gabyfromcat
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Since the last Firefox Update for Desktop I'm having issues with the Privacy Mode.

When I open a New Private Window the following happens: - The History from Normal navigation is still fresh in Private Window. - The cache doesn't clean at all. - If I 'log in' in a site, this preferences are still saved in Private Window, so the account still opens in Private Mode.

Am I missing something from this Update?

All of this is frustrating because before this update my Private navigation window didn't have any problems at all.

Since the last Firefox Update for Desktop I'm having issues with the Privacy Mode. When I open a New Private Window the following happens: - The History from Normal navigation is still fresh in Private Window. - The cache doesn't clean at all. - If I 'log in' in a site, this preferences are still saved in Private Window, so the account still opens in Private Mode. Am I missing something from this Update? All of this is frustrating because before this update my Private navigation window didn't have any problems at all.

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Hi gabyfromcat, that definitely sounds like something is broken. The cookie jar shared by regular windows and the cookie jar shared by private windows should always be separate.

Could you check that you have separate "regular" and "private" windows? Usually this is indicated by a little icon on the title bar, it looks like a white mask on a purple background, and appears just to the left of the minimize/maximize/close buttons on the top right of the window title bar.

If you don't have that icon on your private windows:

Your Firefox might have started up in a private browsing session in which case there's only one cookie jar. Usually that would be caused by setting the following on the Options page:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options > Privacy

"Firefox will: Never remember history"

Or with the selector set to "Firefox will: Use custom settings for history" having the box checked for "Always use private browsing mode".

Does any of that seem to apply to your Firefox?

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Sometimes Firefox is broken in weird, random ways after an update because of mixed files in the Firefox program folder. If there is no rational explanation for the problem, we recommend:

Clean Reinstall

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent, corrupted, or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 42.0 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(C) Rename just the current program folder, either:

(64-bit Windows folder names) 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to 

C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox

(32-bit Windows folder names) 

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to 

C:\Program Files\OldFirefox

(D) Run the installer you downloaded in (A). It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Does Firefox work more normally?

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

  • \OldFirefox\Plugins
  • \OldFirefox\browser\plugins

Otherwise, there's no reason to keep the old folder except research/curiosity.