JavaScript settings and preferences for interactive web pages

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This article describes what JavaScript® is, how to turn it on and off, what JavaScript® settings are available in Firefox and how to allow or block it on certain websites.

This article describes what JavaScript® is and how to allow or block it on certain websites.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a standard programming language that can be included in web pages to provide functionality such as menus, sounds, and other interactive features. By default, Firefox enables the use of JavaScript and requires no additional installation.

Enable and disable JavaScript

In Firefox, you can configure whether JavaScript in web pages is permitted to execute or not. To allow JavaScript in Firefox:

  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
  2. In the OptionsPreferences window, select the Content panel.
    1. Enable JavaScript: Select this option to permit JavaScripts to execute on your computer.
    2. To change advanced settings, click Advanced….

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  3. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

Advanced JavaScript settings

Through the Advanced JavaScript Settings window, you can configure the permissions for JavaScript.

JavaScript - Win2

  • Move or resize existing windows: To prevent JavaScripts from changing the position or size of existing windows, deselect this option.
  • Raise or lower windows: This option allows sites to place windows below or above existing windows.
  • Disable or replace context menus: When you right-click an item, a sub-menu may appear. This menu, called a "context menu," can be disabled through JavaScripts. To prevent them from disabling context menus, deselect this option.

Allow and block JavaScript on certain domains

JavaScript can be used to do things that some people don't like. For better control, you can install privacy extensions such as:

  • NoScript: allows JavaScript and other content to run only on websites of your choice.
  • Ghostery: allows you to block scripts from companies that you don't trust.
Note: Some websites use JavaScript for functions such as menus that drop down "on hover", which may not work in Firefox on touch-screen computers.

One possible solution:

  1. Type about:config in the address bar and press EnterReturn.
    A warning page may appear. Click Accept the Risk and Continue to go to the about:config page.
  2. Find the preference dom.w3c_touch_events.enabled and double-click on it
  3. Type in a value of 0 (zero) and click OK.
  4. Close Firefox: Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Exit.Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Quit Firefox.Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Quit. and then restart Firefox for the change to take effect.
A second solution is to disable the "HID-compliant touch screen" setting in Windows Device Manager (visit a Windows forum if you need more help); however, this second solution will effectively change the touch screen into a plain screen while disabled.



Based on information from JavaScript (mozillaZine KB)

JavaScript is a trademark or registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.