We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Firefox not deleting history on exit

  • 3 replies
  • 15 have this problem
  • 12 views
  • Last reply by Knowldge1

Knowldge1
Knowldge1
more options

Since updating to Firefox 44.0.2 (in Windows 10), my history has not been deleted on exit from Firefox. According to my privacy settings, history should be deleted on exit and every possible box to do so is ticked. No add-ons are installed.

Had a similar problem with Edge recently too (storing browsing history from InPrivate browsing). Don't know if they might be linked.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Since updating to Firefox 44.0.2 (in Windows 10), my history has not been deleted on exit from Firefox. According to my privacy settings, history should be deleted on exit and every possible box to do so is ticked. No add-ons are installed. Had a similar problem with Edge recently too (storing browsing history from InPrivate browsing). Don't know if they might be linked. Thanks for any thoughts.

Chosen solution

Ironically, just shut down from the session typing this reply and restarted Firefox. History seems to have deleted on exit.

It didn't do that when I tested before typing the reply!

Looks like problem solved, although no idea how/why. Weird.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (3)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode (Always use Private Browsing mode; Never Remember History).

  • Tools > Options > Privacy > Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history"
  • Deselect: [ ] "Always use Private Browsing mode"

Use one of these to close Firefox if you are currently doing that by clicking the close X on the Firefox title bar.

  • 3-bar Menu button > Exit (Power button)
  • Windows: File > Exit
  • Mac: Firefox > Quit Firefox
  • Linux: File > Quit

You can rename (or delete) places.sqlite files including places.sqlite-shm and places.sqlite-wal in the Firefox profile folder to remove all history. Firefox will create a new places.sqlite file and recover the bookmarks from a recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.

You can use this button to go to the current Firefox profile folder:

Knowldge1
Knowldge1 Question owner
more options

Thanks for that.

cor-el said

Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode (Always use Private Browsing mode; Never Remember History).

I think I wasn't clear enough - permanent Private Browsing mode isn't enabled, but in the Privacy options, "Clear History when Firefox closes" is ticked and all of the options within that are ticked.

cor-el said

You can rename (or delete) places.sqlite files including places.sqlite-shm and places.sqlite-wal in the Firefox profile folder to remove all history.

The problem isn't that I can't delete history at all (manual clearing with Ctrl+Shift+Del works). It's that Firefox is set to delete history automatically and it doesn't.

Knowldge1
Knowldge1 Question owner
more options

Chosen Solution

Ironically, just shut down from the session typing this reply and restarted Firefox. History seems to have deleted on exit.

It didn't do that when I tested before typing the reply!

Looks like problem solved, although no idea how/why. Weird.