How to Manage Firefox Extensions (Add-ons Manager Guide, 2026)

Want an easy way to manage Firefox extensions? In 2006 we listed ten extensions whose only job was managing your other extensions: uninstallers, backup tools, mass installers and a button to restart Firefox. None of them work today; Firefox replaced its old add-on system in 2017, and the built-in Add-ons Manager now does almost everything those tools did. Here’s how to manage Firefox extensions in 2026.

Quick answer: Open the Add-ons Manager with Ctrl+Shift+A (Cmd+Shift+A on Mac) or go to about:addons. From there you can turn extensions on or off, remove them, check their permissions, allow them in private windows, set keyboard shortcuts and update them. Firefox Sync keeps your extensions the same on every computer, and Troubleshoot Mode starts Firefox with all extensions disabled to find a problem one.

How to manage Firefox extensions

Turn extensions on or off

In about:addons > Extensions, use the toggle next to each extension. Disabled extensions stay installed but stop running, which is handy for testing.

Remove an extension

Click the three-dot menu next to the extension and choose Remove. You can also right-click its toolbar icon and pick “Remove Extension”.

Check permissions

Open an extension’s details and the Permissions tab to see what it can access. Optional permissions can be switched off. Remove anything that asks for more than it needs.

Allow or block in private windows

On the extension’s details page, choose whether it may run in private windows. By default, new extensions don’t.

Set keyboard shortcuts

Click the gear icon in the Add-ons Manager and choose Manage Extension Shortcuts to assign or change shortcuts.

Pin or unpin toolbar buttons

Click the puzzle-piece Extensions button in the toolbar to pin an extension’s icon or hide it in the menu.

Update extensions

Firefox updates extensions automatically. To check manually, use the gear icon > Check for Updates.

Back up and sync your extensions

Sign in to Firefox Sync (Settings > Sync) and turn on add-ons syncing. Your extensions install automatically on any computer where you sign in, which replaces the old backup and mass-installer extensions.

Find the extension causing a problem

1. Go to Menu > Help > Troubleshoot Mode and restart. Firefox opens with all extensions disabled.
2. If the problem disappears, return to normal mode and disable extensions one at a time until you find the culprit.
3. Use about:support to see a full list of installed extensions and versions, useful when asking for help.

Keep your extension list short

Every extension uses memory and can slow Firefox. Keep only what you use; see our tips to speed up Firefox and our pick of the best Firefox security add-ons. Install extensions only from addons.mozilla.org, where they are reviewed and signed. Want to build your own? See how to make a Firefox extension.

What happened to the 2006 extensions?

Tools like MR Tech Local Install, Extension Uninstaller, InfoLister, ListZilla and the Firefox Extension Backup Extension were built on Firefox’s old XUL add-on system. Firefox 57 (2017) switched to WebExtensions, and those legacy add-ons stopped working. Their features were folded into Firefox itself.

FAQ

Where are Firefox extensions stored?

In your Firefox profile folder, under “extensions”. Open about:support and click “Open Folder” next to Profile Folder to find it.

How do I restart Firefox quickly?

Type about:profiles and click “Restart normally”, or simply close and reopen Firefox; your tabs return if session restore is on.

Why is an extension disabled automatically?

Mozilla can block extensions found to be harmful, and unsigned extensions won’t run in regular Firefox releases.