Find and install add-ons to add features to Firefox

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  • Revision id: 11334
  • Created:
  • Creator: Cheng Wang
  • Comment: Updated for fx4, added instructions for installing
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Add-ons are small pieces of software created by people all over the world, that add new features or functionality to your installation of Firefox. Add-ons can augment Firefox with new search engines, foreign-language dictionaries, or change the visual appearance of Firefox. Through add-ons, you can customize Firefox to meet your needs and tastes.

  • Extensions
    Extensions add new features to Firefox, or modify existing ones. There are extensions that allow you to block advertisements, download videos from websites, integrate more closely with websites like Facebook or Twitter, and add features you see in other browsers.
  • Personas
    Personas are background images that you can use to decorate the menu and tab bars of Firefox. You can also use themes which are more involved and can change the appearance of buttons and menus.
  • Plugins
    A plugin is a piece of software that manage internet content that Firefox is not designed to process. These usually include patented formats for video, audio, online games, presentations, and more. Plugins are created and distributed by other companies.

To view which add-ons you have installed, open the Tools menu and select Add-onsopen the Tools menu and select Add-onsopen the Firefox menu and select Add-onsopen the Firefox menu and select Add-ons. This will open the Add-ons manager tabwindow. If you have the traditional menu bar, you can access the Add-ons manager from the Tools menu.

Installing add-ons

You can read more details about installing specific kinds of add-ons in each of the articles linked above. Here is just an overview to get you started.

  1. Open the add-ons manager tabwindow by selecting Add-ons from the Tools menuselecting Add-ons from the Tools menuselecting Add-ons from the Firefox menu. If you have the traditional menu bar, you can access the Add-ons manager from the Tools menu.
  2. Select Get Add-ons
  3. To see more information one of the Featured add-ons or personas, just click on one of them. You can then click the green Add to Firefox button to install it.To install a recommended add-on, just click the Add to Firefox button."
  4. You can also search for specific add-ons by using the search box at the top. You can then install any add-ons you find with the Add to FirefoxInstall button.
  5. Firefox will then download the requested add-on and may ask you to confirm that you want to install it.
  6. New Some extensions need Firefox to restart before they can be used. You can restart Firefox quickly by clicking the Restart Now button that pops up. Your tabs will be saved and restored after the restart.

Troubleshooting add-ons

For information on troubleshooting problems with extensions, plugins, or themes, see the articles below: