Add-ons (extensions and themes)

Add-ons (extensions and themes)

Add-ons are small pieces of software which change or add to the appearance or functionality of Firefox. There are two kinds of add-ons: extensions and themes.

Extensions

Extensions add new functionality to Firefox. They can add anything from a toolbar button to a completely new feature. They allow the application to be customized to fit the personal needs of each user while minimizing the size and appearance of the application itself.

Themes

Themes modify Firefox's appearance. They allow you to change the look and feel of Firefox and personalize it to your tastes. A theme can simply change button images, or it can change every piece of Firefox appearance.

Getting and Installing Add-ons

You can download and install many add-ons from Firefox Add-ons. Internet searches will find many other add-ons as well. When you click on a link to install an add-on, Firefox displays a dialog asking you for permission to install the add-on. You can choose to allow the download and installation or to cancel the process.

Using the Add-ons manager

Add-ons are managed in the Add-ons manager. Select Tools > Add-ons to open it.

Updating Add-ons

By default, Firefox will periodically check when a new version for one of your installed add-ons is available. If any are available, it will prompt you at the next start to install any updates. You can change this behavior in the Update tab of the Advanced panel of Options.

You can check for updates manually by selecting the Extensions or Themes panel and clicking the Find Updates button. If updates are available, the Add-ons manager displays an Updates panel, where you can choose the updates you want to install. Click the Install Updates button to update those add-ons. You need to restart Firefox for changes to take effect.

Disabling, Enabling, and Uninstalling Add-ons

If you want to get rid of an extension, you can either disable it temporarily, so it is easily available should you want to enable it again in the future, or uninstall it. Themes can only be uninstalled since all themes except the current one are disabled automatically.

To disable or enable an extension, select the extension of your choice and click its Disable or Enable button. To remove an add-on from Firefox, select the add-on you wish to remove and click its Uninstall button. You need to restart Firefox for changes to take effect.

Further functionality

Further functionality such as Visit Home Page and About is available by selecting the add-on of your choice, right-clicking the add-on and selecting the respective item from the context menu.

Tasks specific to extensions or themes

Configuring Extensions

Extensions often provide a dialog to configure their functionality. To open the options dialog of an extension, select the Extensions panel, select the extension of your choice, and click its Options button, or simply double-click the extension.

Switching Themes

To switch between your installed themes, select the Themes panel, select the theme of your choice, and click its Use Theme button. You need to restart Firefox for changes to take effect.