Summary: Sometimes you just want to clear the things you've searched for from automatically appearing in the browser. These steps clear that information in Firefox.
I saw your article on clearing the search history in Internet Explorer 6. I use Firefox; how do I do the same thing?
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Firefox is actually easier and a little more intuitive. While we're at it, we'll include the Google Toolbar extension to Firefox as well.
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The Google Toolbar is pretty much the same as its IE equivalent. If you click on the Google logo on the far left you'll get a drop-down menu:
Click on Clear Search History, and that's done.
Now, for Firefox itself (I'll assume Firefox 2.0, by the way) a quick click on the Tools menu shows this:
Clear Private Data looks encouraging, but before you click on it, click on Options instead. Click on the Privacy tab, and you should see this:
Note the Private Data area, and the Settings... button to the right. Click on Settings... and you'll get a dialog that includes this:
Here you can control exactly what it is you want Firefox to clear when you tell it to "Clear Private Data". Most of what people seem to care about is their browsing history, but Saved Form Information is what you want if you're looking to erase the tracks of what you've been searching for using the Google home page.
So, make your selections as you wish, OK your way back out, and then go ahead and hit that Clear Private Data menu item on the Tools menu, and you should be good to go.
Remember: this has only dealt with Firefox. You may still need to return to IE and perform the equivalent there, since IE is used in many places throughout Windows, and some of its settings and/or history appear to be shared with some Windows features.
Article C2832 - November 7, 2006
Hi,
My company has created a product that could solve this problem. Our software, ControlHistory allows you to selectively or completely delete your history. You can download it from www.controlhistory.com. It supports
IE (ver. 6+)
Firefox (ver. 3+)
Chrome (ver. 1+)
Google Desktop Search
Many programs like MS Word, Excel, Acrobat Reader, WinRAR, 7-Zip, etc. that save their history in the Registry.
You can use the software for free to view your history but to be able to delete it you need a license. The cost of a license is USD 0.99 (99 cents).
Posted by: controlhistory at August 19, 2009 4:29 AMThank you, Leo! Yours is the ONLY site that I found that clearly communicated the answer!
Posted by: Christian at September 13, 2009 10:00 PMClick&Clean 3.6.0.0 add-on for Firefox to clear browsing history + support external app (WiseDiskCleaner, Janitor, BleachBit) + clear browsing... when Firefox exits
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3100/
Click&Clean for Google Chrome
Posted by: Dan at December 20, 2009 12:14 PMhttps://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/ghgabhipcejejjmhhchfonmamedcbeod
This method is outdated.
Posted by: lou at January 17, 2010 6:15 AMSince firefox 3.5, right click in the search bar and select "Clear Search History".
As an SEO (search engine optimisation) guy, the fewatures included within firefox have caused more than a little frustration, until your greatarticle.
Posted by: Sunnydjim at March 11, 2010 12:49 PMAs I used firefox as my only browser, when searching for websites and their google.com positions, firefox was throwing up glowing results as it was set to remember sites I had been on. Luckily, I soon spotted that and have now (thanks to your info) changed the settings and normal service has been resumed.
I am sure that the settings my firefox had were as downloaded direct from firefox and for that,I was briefly very annoyed.