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Addons Manager opens by itself (without being clicked on; unwanted)

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I'll frequently return to my desktop and find the Add-Ons Manager has opened by itself and replaced one of my tabs. Since it usually replaces a site that updates frequently, the content I was previously viewing is lost and hard to find. Very frustrating.

Using Firefox 8.0. The only extension with updates available is "Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant" (which I don't remember installing and in which I've no interest) , "incompatible with 8.0" and therefore disabled. On the hunch the Add-Ons Manager is opening to advise of this update, I've even tried to run the .NET update in the vain hope it would solve the problem, but the update process hangs and locks up.

I'll frequently return to my desktop and find the Add-Ons Manager has opened by itself and replaced one of my tabs. Since it usually replaces a site that updates frequently, the content I was previously viewing is lost and hard to find. Very frustrating. Using Firefox 8.0. The only extension with updates available is "Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant" (which I don't remember installing and in which I've no interest) , "incompatible with 8.0" and therefore disabled. On the hunch the Add-Ons Manager is opening to advise of this update, I've even tried to run the .NET update in the vain hope it would solve the problem, but the update process hangs and locks up.

Valgt løsning

Thanks. I'd prefer not to resort to disabling. After removing .NET (above) plus the Java extensions it seems to have stopped. If it doesn't happen in the next few days I'll mark this question solved. Thanks again.

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All Replies (5)

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Update: I've used MS' instructions to remove the "Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant." However, since IIRC the phantom ADD-Ons Manager opening predates the update availability, I'd still like this question answered please.

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Make sure that you do not press the Shift+Ctrl+A shortcut key to open the about:addons page by accident

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That's useful information, thank you. However, this is happening when I am away from the computer; I frequently return and find that the Add-Ons Manager has "stolen" one of my open tabs.

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Does it still happens if you disable automatic updates for the extensions?

Tools > Options > Advanced > Update: "Automatically check for updates": "Installed Add-ons"

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Valgt løsning

Thanks. I'd prefer not to resort to disabling. After removing .NET (above) plus the Java extensions it seems to have stopped. If it doesn't happen in the next few days I'll mark this question solved. Thanks again.