Firefox Users

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dave.m
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Firefox Users

Post by dave.m »

Anyone who uses Firefox browser and has recently installed the latest batch of Microsoft/Windows updates should check to see if Microsoft installed an addon into Firefox WITHOUT asking permission or informing you what they were doing. They did on my PC but not on my laptop, funny really. :scratch:

Open Firefox -> Tools -> Addons -> Extensions.
Look to see if there is an extension called 'Search Helper Extension'. If it is there, it was put there by Microsoft.
It can be Disabled, which you should do and restart Firefox, but the uninstall button is inoperative.
A rather sneaky thing for MS to do.

It can be removed but it is in the C:\Programs folder.
C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\
Once you have disabled it in the Firefox Addons list, close Firefox:
Open My Computer -> double click the C: drive icon -> double click Program Files [(x86) if you have a 64bit OS] -> double click the Microsoft Folder and work your way to the 'Search Helper' folder and right click and select Delete.
Close all the windows and restart Firefox and check that it has gone from your Addon list.


The following does NOT need to be done but can be if you feel confident.
I have removed the whole 'Search Enhancemant Pack' with no adverse effects but to remove it, it must be Stopped in Services first, then removed from the C:\Program Files by right clicking and selecting Delete.
To get to Services in XP -> Start -> Run type services.msc -> OK
In Vista and Win 7 search for Services and clikc to open.
Once opened, scroll down the list to Search Enhancement Pack and double click it.
In the window click to STOP the program and in the start up list select Disable.
Then go back to the instructions above and right click on the Search Enhancement Folder and select Delete.

I have not been able to discover which of the Windows Updates (KB******) was resp[onsible for installing it, so I could not remove the update. I will watch to see if it tries to update it again when it next c hecks for updates.
dave
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thescruff
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Re: Firefox Users

Post by thescruff »

I very rarely install any of the MS updates.

If it ain't busted don't fix it. :roll:
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Re: Firefox Users

Post by chat_to_rich »

thescruff wrote:I very rarely install any of the MS updates.

If it ain't busted don't fix it. :roll:
I would install all the security updates. I've never had any problems doing that on any machine since automatic windows update was released with Windows Me.
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Re: Firefox Users

Post by thescruff »

Every time I install the ms updates, I've had issues, mostly with firefox
deepcapture
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Re: Firefox Users

Post by deepcapture »

I let windows update install whatever it wants, except drivers.
I don't have that extension in FF though. Are you sure it was widows update that put that on your system?
I haven't refused an update in months.
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Re: Firefox Users

Post by dave.m »

deepcapture wrote: Are you sure it was widows update that put that on your system?
Yes I am sure!

"Microsoft now tells The Reg that the update was installing the latest version of its Bing toolbar on machines that were running the older Windows Live Toolbar or MSN Toolbar."

I think MS are telling porkies, because I do not have Live Toolbar nor MSN Toolbar and I certainly do not use BING.

I did make a note of the update (KB######) number that actually installed it, but cannot find the note now. Will have another scratch around my desk.

dave

Found it!

It is labelled:
Update for MS Search Enhancement Pack KB2237744

I thoiught it was a bit unusual as the KB number has 7 digits instead of the normal 6 digits.
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Re: Firefox Users

Post by deepcapture »

dave.m wrote:
deepcapture wrote: Are you sure it was widows update that put that on your system?
Yes I am sure!

"Microsoft now tells The Reg that the update was installing the latest version of its Bing toolbar on machines that were running the older Windows Live Toolbar or MSN Toolbar."

I think MS are telling porkies, because I do not have Live Toolbar nor MSN Toolbar and I certainly do not use BING.

I did make a note of the update (KB######) number that actually installed it, but cannot find the note now. Will have another scratch around my desk.

dave

Found it!

It is labelled:
Update for MS Search Enhancement Pack KB2237744

I thoiught it was a bit unusual as the KB number has 7 digits instead of the normal 6 digits.
Now that you mention bing, I changed my default search engine from that to google on the day I installed win 7.
Coincidentally the same day I first installed Firefox on this system. So I'm guessing that M$ only inflict this pain on those who didn't see this coming :cussing:
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