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Clearing recent history on Firefox freezes browser.

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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This is actually a problem and what I did to fix it....

Firefox 25 and Mac OS 10.7 (Lion)

Went to "Clear Recent History" and Firefox stopped responding. • I had to use COMMAND-OPTION-ESC to quit Firefox

I then went to Firefox preferences-->Privacy-->History • I changed "Remember History" to "Use custom setting for history" • I checked the box that said, "Clear history when Firefox closes"

THIS IS WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED • Clicking Firefox from my Startup Menu would cause the pointer to spin endlessly • Again, I had to use COMMAND-OPTION-ESC to quit Firefox

At this point I was worried that I could lose all of my Bookmarks with a clean install, so I went to the internet and found out I could start Firefox in a "Safe Mode"

Here is what I did to correct the problem.... 1) Hold down option and click Firefox from the Startup Menu (Firefox starts in Safe Mode) 2) I then went to Firefox preferences-->Privacy-->History 3) I unchecked the box that said, "Clear history when Firefox closes" 4) I changed "Use custom setting for history" to "Remember History" 5) I closed the Firefox preferences and Quit Firefox

When I restarted the computer all of my Bookmarks had returned  :-)

This is actually a problem and what I did to fix it.... Firefox 25 and Mac OS 10.7 (Lion) Went to "Clear Recent History" and Firefox stopped responding. • I had to use COMMAND-OPTION-ESC to quit Firefox I then went to Firefox preferences-->Privacy-->History • I changed "Remember History" to "Use custom setting for history" • I checked the box that said, "Clear history when Firefox closes" THIS IS WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED • Clicking Firefox from my Startup Menu would cause the pointer to spin endlessly • Again, I had to use COMMAND-OPTION-ESC to quit Firefox At this point I was worried that I could lose all of my Bookmarks with a clean install, so I went to the internet and found out I could start Firefox in a "Safe Mode" Here is what I did to correct the problem.... 1) Hold down option and click Firefox from the Startup Menu (Firefox starts in Safe Mode) 2) I then went to Firefox preferences-->Privacy-->History 3) I unchecked the box that said, "Clear history when Firefox closes" 4) I changed "Use custom setting for history" to "Remember History" 5) I closed the Firefox preferences and Quit Firefox When I restarted the computer all of my Bookmarks had returned :-)

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That was very good work. Well Done.


These can't get your data back, but will help in the future.

These add-ons can be a great help by backing up and restoring Firefox

FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) {web link} FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions, history, passwords, and more. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your saved files individually into installable .xpi files. It will also make backup of files that you choose.

OPIE {web link} Import/Export extension preferences