AdwCleaner always lists Firefox prefs.js . . . Why?
I have ran AdwCleaner . . . https://toolslib.net/downloads/viewdownload/1-adwcleaner/
I have two questions:
1.) It always lists my Firefox prefs.js . . . Why? Please see below. 2.) Why does it say in the report that: -\\ Mozilla Firefox v29.0 (en-US) . . . this is installed -\\ Mozilla Firefox v31.0 (en-US) . . . when this is what's really installed, and what shows up in Programs Alternatively, it shows: -\\ Internet Explorer v11.0.9600.17126 . . . this is installed -\\ Internet Explorer v11.0.9600.17207 . . . when this is what's really installed * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # AdwCleaner v3.216 - Report created 24/07/2014 at 16:37:19 # Updated 17/07/2014 by Xplode # Operating System : Windows 8.1 Pro (32 bits) # Username : * * * * # Running from : C:\TEMP\adwcleaner_3.216.exe # Option : Clean ***** [ Services ] ***** ***** [ Files / Folders ] ***** ***** [ Shortcuts ] ***** ***** [ Registry ] ***** ***** [ Browsers ] ***** -\\ Internet Explorer v11.0.9600.17126 -\\ Mozilla Firefox v29.0 (en-US) [ File : C:\Users\USER-NAME\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\3kalygq4.default-1391633366966\prefs.js ] *************************
Modified by cor-el
All Replies (8)
Does it show what content in the file it doesn't like?
Sometimes an add-on like a Conduit Community Toolbar will add preferences to the file. They are no longer active or relevant after you remove the extension, but the preferences linger. Maybe that's the issue?
To look at the contents of prefs.js you can open the file in a text editor, preferably when Firefox is not running. But this could be like looking for a needle in a haystack if AdwCleaner doesn't provide more information.
No, it just lists the path to prefs.js
Looks like you edit it in about:config, but yes, needle in a haystack, so I got to googling, found this:
If you google these keywords: adwcleaner, firefox, prefs.js
. . . I see that there are a lot of questions on it.
I found this info below.
ADWC is, apparently, just indicating that one does not have the default Preference settings.
Very confusing.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2/2/14 http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=2797673
I can't find it but recall a discussion elsewhere that implied ADWC flags any user set (non default) preferences
10/12/13 http://forum.general-changelog-team.fr/viewtopic.php?session_lang=en&f=28&t=674
No, this logentry doesn't mean that something it's wrong with the firefox profile. If it were a problem with it, you may see it in the files/folder and registry part.
Please use the tutorial : http://general-changelog-team.fr/en/tutorials/44-english/tutorials/software/313-how-to-use-adwcleaner-version-3-x
Hmm, the whole point of prefs.js is to store custom preferences. That makes the detection sound somewhat pointless. But I can't recall ever running AdwCleaner myself.
I installed Crystal Disk Info (a good program to monitor the health of your hard drive, in the system tray), and it installed some tracking program called Open Candy. ADWC got rid of it for me.
Just some comments in passing. I am not an adwcleaner user and I do not know whether these will help.
Can you discover more information from the English tutorial that you have already found ?
- http://general-changelog-team.fr/en/tutorials/44-english/tutorials/software/313-how-to-use-adwcleaner-version-3-x
- That is in English with many English comments do any of them help ?
Taking your own comment above
Why does it say in the report that: -\\ Mozilla Firefox v29.0 (en-US) . . . this is installed -\\ Mozilla Firefox v31.0 (en-US) . . . when this is what's really installed, and what shows up in Programs
If I saw that maybe I would take it to be results from some form of registry checking. The tutorial you link to does mention registry checking. You do now presumably have Fx 31 installed. (Forum software detected that from the User Agent String)
You found this and it may be a forum used by AdwCleaner
- http://forum.general-changelog-team.fr/?session_lang=en but it appears to be in French only & I do not understand French.
The site bleepingcomputer.com seems reputable and uses and offers links to adwcleaner. Possibly if you ask on their forum someone will be able to provide answers
I suppose some solutions, for example Firefox's reset option or the search reset addon do not detect what caused changes just resets them to defaults. At least adwcleaner is giving you a report and options whether or not to change prefs or whatever.
Ok, here's one of the suggestions:
I closed FF
I renamed: prefs.js to prefs.js.old
I re-opened FF . . . it will re-create a prefs.js with all the default settings.
I re-scanned with ADWC . . . and it still shows up! I wonder why ADWC shows this, if it had all of the default settings?
The new prefs.js looks to be the same, a 30KB file
I will revert to the previous prefs.js
This appears to simply be a false positive.
I have the same issue. Is there a possibility that after reset, something could linger?
- -~
I closed FF
I renamed: prefs.js to prefs.js.old
I re-opened FF . . . it will re-create a prefs.js with all the default settings.
I re-scanned with ADWC . . . and it still shows up! I wonder why ADWC shows this, if it had all of the default settings?
The new prefs.js looks to be the same, a 30KB file
I will revert to the previous prefs.js
This appears to simply be a false positive.