Change Add-ons Install Countdown Length in Firefox

Adjusting the Firefox Add-on Installation Countdown

Upon installing a Firefox extension, a confirmation window appears, featuring a countdown timer on the Install button. Some users may find this delay inconvenient and seek to disable it. However, this timer is implemented as a crucial security measure.

IMPORTANT: The delay on the Install button serves as a security precaution. It ensures that installations are deliberate and helps prevent malicious websites from installing add-ons without your explicit consent.

While it is possible to deactivate the countdown, this is generally not advised. Disabling this feature could potentially elevate the risk of unknowingly installing harmful software. It is also possible to modify the duration of the countdown, and instructions for doing so are provided below.

Modifying the Countdown Duration

To alter the installation confirmation delay, type "about:config" into the address bar – without quotation marks – and then press Enter.

If you are accessing these configuration settings for the first time, or have previously chosen to be warned, a warning message will be displayed. To prevent this warning from appearing on subsequent visits, uncheck the "Show this warning next time" box.

NOTE: The warning message can be re-enabled at any time after it has been disabled.

Proceed to the configuration settings screen by clicking the "I'll be careful, I promise!" button.

Enter the following text into the Search box:

security.dialog_enable_delay

The corresponding preference will appear in the list as you type, or after pasting the text.

To change the preference, double-click on it.

The value for this setting is expressed in milliseconds, with a default of 2000, equivalent to 2 seconds. Input a new value, representing the desired delay in milliseconds, into the edit box and click OK.

NOTE: Testing revealed that Firefox effectively doubles the entered time. For example, entering 10000 milliseconds results in a 20-second countdown on the Install button.

To completely disable the countdown, enter 0 (zero) into the edit box. However, as previously stated, this is not recommended.

Once the change is applied, the preference will be displayed in bold text, and the new time will be visible in the Value column.

To revert to the default setting, double-click the preference again and reset the value to 2000.

Here's a summary of the steps:

• Type about:config in the address bar.
• Acknowledge the warning message.
• Search for security.dialog_enable_delay.
• Double-click the preference to edit it.
• Enter the desired delay in milliseconds.