Common Overrides

Instructions

1. Open the user.js in a text editor such as Notepad.
2. Add prefs from the options below.
3. Save and close the file.
4. Return to Getting Started.

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Options

A user.js applies prefs in the order they are written.

So, if a pref is listed a second time, then the second value (yours) would override the first (Betterfox's).

To enable certain functions, copy+paste the appropriate prefs to the MY OVERRIDES section of your user.js.

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Color Theme

By default, Firefox follows the operating system theme (Light or Dark) for buttons, menus, and windows, but not for settings pages and websites. Betterfox ensures sub-pages and websites also match your system theme.

However, you can override this and force Firefox's settings pages and websites to use a Light or Dark theme.

• ☰ → Settings → General → Language and Appearance → Website appearance

// PREF: preferred color scheme for websites and sub-pages
// Dark (0), Light (1), System (2), Browser (3)
user_pref("layout.css.prefers-color-scheme.content-override", 0); 

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Downloads

Betterfox's default download settings balance user experience and security. However, some users prefer to customize these prefs. You can read about these prefs on #267.

Ask where to save files

• ☰ → Settings → General → Files and Applications → Downloads → Always ask you where to save files

// PREF: always ask where to download
// true = Direct download
// false = The user is asked what to do
user_pref("browser.download.useDownloadDir", false);

New file types

• ☰ → Settings → General → Files and Applications → Applications → What should Firefox do with other files?

// PREF: always ask how to handle new mimetypes
// false = Save files
// true = Ask whether to open or save files
user_pref("browser.download.always_ask_before_handling_new_types", false);

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Password, credit card, and address management

The built-in password manager is disabled for security.

• ☰ → Settings → Privacy & Security → Logins and Passwords → Ask to save logins and passwords for websites

We recommend using Bitwarden or 1Password to manage your credentials on multiple devices.

// PREF: restore login manager
user_pref("signon.rememberSignons", true);

// PREF: restore address and credit card manager
user_pref("extensions.formautofill.addresses.enabled", true);
user_pref("extensions.formautofill.creditCards.enabled", true);

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Location requests

Location requests are blocked to minimize annoyances.

Manage your site exceptions to allow only for websites you want to ask for your location.

• ☰ → Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Location

// PREF: allow websites to ask you for your location
user_pref("permissions.default.geo", 0);

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Site notifications

Site notifications are blocked to increase security and minimize annoyances.

Manage your site exceptions to allow only for websites you want to send you notifications.

• ☰ → Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Notifications

// PREF: allow websites to ask you to receive site notifications
user_pref("permissions.default.desktop-notification", 0);

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New tab shortcuts

Top sites (pinned site shortcuts) are removed for a clean new tab page.

• ☰ → Settings → Home → Firefox Home Content

// PREF: restore Top Sites on New Tab page
user_pref("browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.feeds.topsites", true); // Shortcuts
user_pref("browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.default.sites", ""); // clear default topsites

// PREF: remove sponsored content on New Tab page
user_pref("browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.showSponsoredTopSites", false); // Sponsored shortcuts 
user_pref("browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.feeds.section.topstories", false); // Recommended by Pocket
user_pref("browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.showSponsored", false); // Sponsored Stories

// PREF: remove default Top Sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
// [NOTE] This does not block you from adding your own.
user_pref("browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.default.sites", "");

Alternatives

• Bookmark keywords may provide a better experience (YouTube example).
• Learn how to narrow down suggestions in the URL bar by a specific type of result (* for bookmarks, ^ for browser history, etc.).

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Search settings

Allow search engine suggestions

Search suggestions are disabled in the URL bar to keep everything you type from going to Google.

• ☰ → Settings → Search → Search Suggestions → Provide search suggestions

// PREF: restore search engine suggestions
user_pref("browser.search.suggest.enabled", true);

Change your default search engine

You can also select a default search engine just for Private Browsing windows. (This is an option after you apply the user.js.)

• ☰ → Settings → Search → Default Search Engine

Change your default search engine to DuckDuckGo, or add a premium search engine like Kagi.

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Containers

Enable container tabs if you want to login to the same site under different accounts.

You'll also want to install Multi-Account Containers for extra functionality (YouTube example).

// PREF: enable container tabs
user_pref("privacy.userContext.enabled", true);

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GPU-accelerated Canvas2D

Add this pref if you use a dedicated GPU on a Windows PC. (It's already enabled on macOS and Linux.)

⚠️ May cause issues on some Windows machines using integrated GPUs.

// PREF: enable GPU-accelerated Canvas2D [WINDOWS]
user_pref("gfx.canvas.accelerated", true);

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Scrolling

Firefox's default scrolling needs improvement.

Smoothfox provides a far better scroll experience.