If you value your privacy and do not want Mozilla Firefox to keep a record of the websites you visit, turning off browsing history is a smart option. By default, Firefox stores your browsing history, download history, cookies, and search activity to help improve your browsing experience. However, some users prefer not to leave a trail of their online activity, especially when using a shared computer or a device accessed by multiple people.
Whether you want Firefox to never remember history or you prefer using private browsing all the time, there are several simple ways to control your privacy settings.
This guide walks you through the exact steps to turn off history in Firefox.
How to Turn Off History in Firefox [Easy Guide]
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To turn off history in Firefox:
- Open Firefox and click the menu button in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings from the menu.
- Click Privacy & Security in the left pane.
- Scroll to the History section.
- Choose Never remember history from the drop-down menu.
- Restart Firefox when prompted.
- Firefox will stop saving your browsing and search history.
Let’s learn in detail!
1: Open Firefox Settings
Launch Mozilla Firefox on your computer and look for the menu button located in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
The button appears as three horizontal lines. Click it to open the main Firefox menu. From the list of available options, select Settings. This section contains all the controls related to privacy, security, browsing behavior, and account preferences.
Inside the Settings page, locate the navigation menu on the left side of the screen. Click Privacy & Security. This section contains all the settings related to tracking protection, cookies, saved passwords, permissions, and browsing history.
As you scroll through this page, you will notice several privacy-related options designed to help you control what Firefox stores on your device. The section you need is called History. This area allows you to customize how Firefox remembers your browsing activity and whether it stores that information at all.
3: Locate the History Settings
Scroll down until you find the History section. By default, Firefox is usually set to Remember history. This means the browser automatically stores information about websites you visit, files you download, searches you perform, and forms you complete online.
Click the drop-down menu next to Firefox will and review the available options. You will typically see choices such as Remember history, Never remember history, and Use custom settings for history.
4: Select Never Remember History
Click the drop-down menu and choose Never remember history. Once selected, Firefox will display a message explaining that the browser must restart before the changes can take effect.
This setting essentially makes Firefox behave similarly to a private browsing session all the time. After enabling it, Firefox will stop storing browsing history, search history, download history, and form history.
5: Restart Firefox
After selecting Never remember history, Firefox will ask for permission to restart. Save any important work or open tabs before proceeding.
Click the restart button to close and reopen Firefox automatically. When Firefox launches again, the new privacy setting becomes active. From this point forward, your browsing activity will no longer be recorded in the browser history.
6: Verify That History Is Disabled
Once Firefox restarts, you can verify that history saving is disabled. Return to Settings > Privacy & Security > History and confirm that Never remember history remains selected.
You can also perform a quick test by visiting a few websites, closing Firefox, reopening it, and checking the History menu. If the setting is working correctly, Firefox should not retain records of your browsing activity.
7: Use Custom History Settings for More Control
If you do not want to completely disable history but still want greater privacy, choose Use custom settings for history instead of Never remember history.
This option allows you to fine-tune exactly what Firefox saves. For example, you can disable search history while keeping download history, or prevent Firefox from remembering form entries while still allowing cookies.
Custom settings are ideal for users who want a balance between convenience and privacy. Rather than turning everything off, you can decide which information Firefox should retain and which data should be discarded automatically.
8: Enable Always Use Private Browsing Mode
Another effective privacy option is enabling Always use private browsing mode. This setting is available within the custom history settings area.
Click the Firefox menu and select New Private Window. In a private window, Firefox does not save browsing history, search history, or temporary internet files after you close the window.
FAQs
Does turning off history delete existing Firefox history?
No. Turning off history prevents Firefox from saving future browsing activity. Existing history remains stored unless you manually clear it through Firefox’s history management tools.
Will Firefox still save bookmarks?
Yes. Bookmarks are separate from browsing history. Turning off history does not affect your saved bookmarks.
Can I turn history back on later?
Yes. Simply return to Settings > Privacy & Security > History and choose Remember history or Use custom settings for history.
Is turning off history the same as private browsing?
They are very similar. Selecting Never remember history makes Firefox behave much like permanent private browsing, although there can be minor differences in how certain browser features operate.
Will disabling history improve privacy?
Yes. Disabling history reduces the amount of browsing information stored on your computer, making it harder for others who use the same device to view your online activity.