How to reset or update Firefox – Easy Steps

The browsers can be customized; you can change its appearance by installing themes, and you can add or extend features by installing plugins. Firefox is no different. In fact, Firefox offers users access to more customization options than most other browsers.

Reset or update Firefox

Browsers are often the target of malware. Malicious applications will hijack a browser. Infections are difficult to remove and most users will have to uninstall and reinstall the browser to fix the problem. That is why browsers now have a reset or update feature.

Reset / update vs clean install

A reboot / update is different from a clean install. Reset each setting to the default settings. It will also remove all plugins. You will continue to use the same profile folder and some of the same configuration files. It is not the same as a clean install and may fail if the browser is too corrupted.

The stored information will be deleted, although you can retrieve it if you have syncing enabled in Firefox. You will need to log into your Firefox account again to sync the data again. It is worth mentioning that if the malware synced with your profile, it may return.

How to reset or update Firefox

Firefox has the built-in restart / update function. It offers a simple graphical user interface to reset the browser.

1. Abre Firefox.
2. Click on the hamburger icon in the upper right and select Help from the menu.
3. Select More Troubleshooting Information from the submenu.
4. On the page that opens, click Refresh Firefox in the upper right corner.
5. Confirm that you want to update Firefox.
6. The browser will close and reopen.
7. When the browser opens, Firefox will update.

New profile folder

Firefox will create a new profile folder, but the old ones will still be there. When you reconfigure the browser, the new profile folder will be used. If you removed the malware from your system, the new profile folder should not be re-infected.

conclusion

If your system or your browser has been infected, you must eliminate the source of the infection before starting to repair the damage caused. Once you’ve removed the infection, run a full system scan to make sure there are no residual files. They can interfere with the repair or they can re-infect the system. If your browser was infected, make sure to scan the profile folders that you created.