Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
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
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
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.
Then how do you clear when using a Mac and when you have firefox 3.5 and up?
Posted by: S at May 10, 2010 1:38 PMI do not see tools at the top of the Mozilla Firefox bar
Posted by: Esther Lindquist at June 8, 2010 12:29 AMHow do you delete multiple history items, but not all? I know how to delete individual items, and how to delete the whole lot, but how do I delete all of them EXCEPT a few? I tried using the shift key to select multiple items, and it looked like I had, but when I pressed the delete key, only the top item was deleted.
Is there somewhere in Windows Explorer where I can see all the history files and be able to select them normally by clicking and dragging the mouse?
I'm using Firefox 3.5.9.
Posted by: Jill at June 15, 2010 7:35 AMi followed the instructions to clear the search bar history in firefox but,the drop-down menu does not show a google logo on the left of the desk top, i have tried clicking around but, nothing shows data or history/browser so i can't get any further,please help, regards, john
Posted by: john at June 26, 2010 7:48 AM