Author Topic: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast  (Read 13408 times)

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Offline caroline.kenyon

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I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« on: December 23, 2015, 07:28:03 PM »
Hello, I updated Firefox today with Avast, and my addons were missing from the toolbar and I had to reinstall all of them. This has actually been happening for a while this year and I'd like to know what's causing this. Please can anyone help me?

Offline Eddy

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2015, 07:58:44 PM »

Offline caroline.kenyon

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2015, 08:50:09 PM »
Thank you, but how can I verify the add-ons and make them stay installed by default?

Offline Eddy

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2015, 08:53:25 PM »
You can't unless you are the developer of a add-on.

Only thing you can try/do :
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=180835.msg1279276#msg1279276

Offline caroline.kenyon

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2015, 10:49:38 AM »
Thank you. I already set xpinstall.signatures.required to false and that doesn't seem to have helped. I can still install the add-ons, but they don't stay installed by default sometimes and the pages where I install them from all come up with the message "Another program on your computer would like to modify Firefox with the following for each of my add-ons". Can I solve this by installing an ESR version of Firefox, and, if I can do that, then how can I transfer my old data and settings over?
« Last Edit: December 30, 2015, 10:58:21 AM by caroline.kenyon »

Offline Eddy

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2015, 01:14:38 PM »
If it is asking "Another program on your computer would like to modify Firefox with the following for each of my add-ons" or not depend on your settings.

For transferring "data" this seems to me a good option for you > about:preferences?entrypoint=uitour#sync

Offline Cluster-Lizard2014

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2015, 01:39:22 PM »
My advice would be to use a more simple solution: do not update Firefox using AVAST.

Do it manually when prompted by Mozilla or check weekly for FF updates using the Help tab >  About Firefox option.  Typically the download/install of a new version takes less than 60 secs and a restart of FF.  Simple version updates are far quicker.

With xpinstall.signatures.required set to false there should be no issues as regards unsigned Addons. I would guess Firefox doesn't like the AVAST updater tool so just don't use it.  It is unnecessary if you're diligent with your PC maintenance and check regularly for updates.     

Offline caroline.kenyon

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2015, 01:45:07 PM »
Well, this has been happening a lot every time I restart Firefox. The add-ons used to stay installed by default and open up the tab I was on before I closed Firefox, but now I have to keep re-installing them and this may have no connection to Avast. How can I fix this? By the way, thanks for telling me how I can not update Firefox using Avast.  Also, that Firefox ESR version is for organizations and I'm not a member of an organization.
« Last Edit: December 30, 2015, 02:05:46 PM by caroline.kenyon »

Offline Cluster-Lizard2014

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2015, 03:10:10 PM »
All I can tell you is that I'm not having this problem with FF and it is up to date.

As indicated I am using the: xpinstall.signatures.required set to false FF about:config setting and the only Addon which I have reported as being unsigned is, ironically, "avast Online Security" ie. the older version with WebRep as I do not like the more recent signed but intrusive AVAST browser protection.

But if there was a general problem with FF Addons requiring reactivation on reboot, whether caused by AVAST/AVAST's updater or not, I would have thought more people would have been reporting it.       

Offline caroline.kenyon

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #9 on: December 30, 2015, 03:54:37 PM »
Okay. I'll post a screencap of the problem if it happens again, and, if anyone knows how to fix it, maybe they can post a solution.

Offline Mike23

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #10 on: December 30, 2015, 07:31:23 PM »
Hi Caroline,

Apparently the author of the CTR (Custom Theme Restorer) extension has noted the following...

Quote
AVAST AV software,"Browser Cleanup" and disappearing Firefox add-ons.
If Avasts "Browser Cleanup" still accidentally removes Firefox add-ons consider removing or disabling "Browser Cleanup" feature.

You can do this via, Control Panel > Programs & Features > Avast > Change.
Remove the "offending" feature.

If you need any extra assistance, go to forums.mozillazine.org.
Seems to be a bit of a problem, lately.
« Last Edit: December 30, 2015, 07:39:00 PM by Mike23 »

Offline caroline.kenyon

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2016, 11:52:33 PM »
Hello, I just updated Firefox (without using Avast) and got the problem again. A screencap of the problem is attached to the post. If anyone knows a solution to the problem, please can they notify me of it? Anyway, thanks for the link to the mozillazine forums. I could post my screencap there too and see if anyone there can help me solve the problem too.
« Last Edit: January 06, 2016, 11:57:27 PM by caroline.kenyon »

Offline Eddy

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #12 on: January 07, 2016, 12:28:42 AM »
That is not a problem at all.
It is just a question.
FireFox detects that avast want to install that plug-in and is asking you if it is ok to do so or not.

Offline caroline.kenyon

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #13 on: January 07, 2016, 08:54:15 AM »
Well, what's happening in that screencap is that I have to install all my add-ons all over again when I update Firefox, and they won't stay installed. I'd like to know how to fix this. By the way, I removed Browser CleanUp from Avast and the problem is still persisting.
« Last Edit: January 07, 2016, 08:59:45 AM by caroline.kenyon »

Offline Eddy

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Re: I have to reinstall addons when I update Firefox with Avast
« Reply #14 on: January 07, 2016, 01:03:21 PM »
Already removed FireFox completely and installed it fresh again ?

On a note:
Removing through control panel does not remove everything.
You will need to remove leftovers manually.