Firefox: Change ‘Clear Private Data’ defaults

Sometimes when developing and testing a site, you need to clear your browser’s cache. Clearing the cache is particularly important when testing SWF files. Browsers tend to hold on to those like a pitbull on a chew toy.

Firefox makes it easy to clear your cache with its Clear Private Data feature (Tools > Clear Private Data). But by default, the Browsing History and Authenticated Sessions boxes are pre-checked in addition to the Cache box. If you just want to clear your cache, you have to uncheck those boxes and then click the “Clear Private Data Now” button.

That’s a pain in the touchas when you’re in a developing – uploading – testing loop. Luckily Firefox let’s you change that.

What to do

1. Enter about:config in the address bar. Click the “I’ll be careful, I promise” button if one appears.
2. In the Filter field, enter privacy.item. These are the current settings for the Clear Private Data box.
3. Change the settings for privacy.item.sessions and privacy.item.history from true to false by double-clicking.

Restart Firefox, then go to Tools > Clear Private Data. Cache will be the only pre-selected option.