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Remove about:config Entries - Easy Method

June 22, 2009
Remove about:config Entries - Easy Method

Removing Custom Firefox about:config Entries

Have you ever modified your Firefox browser using a custom about:config setting and subsequently needed to revert that change? A straightforward reset function now allows for the removal of individual entries. It's strongly advised to maintain a record of any alterations made to your about:config settings, whether they are default or custom. This documentation proves invaluable should you need to undo modifications in the future.

Accessing about:config

To begin, type “about:config” (without quotation marks) into the browser’s address bar and press “Enter”. The latest beta versions display a warning message upon accessing this page, unless you’ve previously disabled it. Click “I’ll be careful, I promise!” to proceed.

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The about:config interface will then be displayed, allowing you to view and modify browser preferences.

Locating the Custom Entry

If you know the specific about:config entry you wish to remove, type or paste its name – for example, “nglayout.initialpaint.delay” (without quotation marks) – into the “Filter” bar. You don't need to press “Enter” for the entry to appear.

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The targeted entry will then be isolated and displayed.

Resetting the Entry

To remove the custom entry, right-click on its line within the about:config interface and select “Reset”.

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Verification of Reset

After clicking “Reset”, the about:config entry will no longer appear in bold text. Its status will change from a “user set integer” to a “default string”, and the “Value” field will become empty.

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A browser restart is required for the changes to take effect.

Confirming Removal

Once restarted, verify the removal by reopening the about:config window and re-entering the custom entry’s name into the “Filter” bar.

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The entry should no longer be present, confirming its successful removal.

Conclusion

This reset tweak is particularly helpful if you enjoy experimenting with custom about:config entries to optimize browser performance. It provides a convenient way to undo changes that may not yield the desired results. Feel free to explore and refine your browser’s configuration!

#about:config#firefox#settings#customize#remove#reset