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.

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

Can I set a password so others cannot install extensions on a public computer?

  • 2 majibu
  • 4 wana tatizo hili
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

I have been named the administrator of a computer lab for a non-profit. They have had problems with people installing various toolbars and other extensions in Firefox. I would like to block the installation of these either by setting a password or by some other means. Is there some way I can do this?

I have been named the administrator of a computer lab for a non-profit. They have had problems with people installing various toolbars and other extensions in Firefox. I would like to block the installation of these either by setting a password or by some other means. Is there some way I can do this?

All Replies (2)

more options

Try installing the Public Fox add-on, then in its options, make sure that access to the add-ons window and about:config are protected. In the list of file extensions that you do not want to download, add "xpi". Also make sure that "exe" is blocked, as some extensions are added by running an external application.

The above should prevent extensions from being installed, but you can also make the following change to a hidden setting.

  1. Type about:config into the location bar and press enter
  2. Accept the warning message that appears, you will be taken to a list of preferences
  3. Locate the preference xpinstall.enabled and set its value to false by double-clicking on it.
more options

You can lock the above mentioned pref xpinstall.enabled

See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locking_preferences

lockPref("xpinstall.enabled" ,false);