Firefox extensions stay on your computer even after you delete the browser

When you uninstall Firefox, the browser program itself disappears, but the extensions you installed do not. Firefox stores extension files in a separate folder on your hard drive — one that the uninstall process does not touch. If you want a completely clean removal, you need to delete that folder by hand.

The location of this folder depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. On Windows, it lives inside your user profile. On Mac, it is buried in a Library folder. On Linux, it sits in a hidden directory in your home folder. In all cases, you can find and delete it through your file manager without needing to reinstall Firefox first.

Key Takeaways

  • Firefox extensions remain on your computer in a separate folder after you uninstall the browser itself.
  • On Windows, the extensions folder is located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox.
  • On Mac, navigate to ~/Library/process Support/Firefox to find the extensions folder.
  • On Linux, the extensions folder is at ~/.mozilla/firefox in your home directory.
  • You can delete the entire Firefox profile folder to remove all extensions, settings, and cached data at once.

Finding and deleting extensions on Windows

Open File Explorer and type the address bar at the top. Paste this path: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox. Replace [YourUsername] with your actual Windows username. Press Enter.

You will see a folder called Profiles. Open it. Inside you will find one or more folders with names like abc123.default-release. Open the one marked default-release (or the one with the most recent date if you have multiple). Inside that folder, look for a folder called extensions. Delete this folder entirely. If you want to remove all Firefox data including settings and browsing history, delete the entire profile folder instead.

Finding and deleting extensions on Mac

Open Finder. Press Command + Shift + G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog. Type this path: ~/Library/process Support/Firefox. Press Enter.

You will see a Profiles folder. Open it and look for a folder named default-release or similar. Inside that folder, find the extensions folder and delete it. If the extensions folder does not appear, the extensions may be stored in a file called extensions.json instead — you can delete that file. To remove everything Firefox-related, delete the entire Profiles folder.

Finding and deleting extensions on Linux

Open your file manager. Press Ctrl + H to show hidden files and folders (those starting with a dot). Navigate to your home directory and look for a folder called .mozilla. Open it, then open the firefox folder inside.

You will see one or more profile folders with names like abc123.default-release. Open the default profile and find the extensions folder. Delete it. Alternatively, delete the entire .mozilla/firefox folder to remove all Firefox data.

What gets deleted when you remove the extensions folder

Deleting only the extensions folder removes the extension files themselves, but leaves your Firefox settings, bookmarks, and browsing history intact if you reinstall the browser later. Deleting the entire profile folder removes everything: extensions, settings, bookmarks, saved passwords, and browsing history.

If you are not sure whether you want to keep your Firefox data, delete only the extensions folder first. You can always delete the profile folder later if you want a complete wipe. Once deleted, these folders cannot be recovered unless you have a backup, so double-check the folder name before you press Delete.

Why extensions remain after uninstalling Firefox

Firefox separates the browser program from your personal data and settings. This design lets you reinstall Firefox without losing your bookmarks, passwords, or extension preferences. The downside is that uninstalling the browser does not clean up that personal data folder — you have to do it yourself.

This is different from how some other browsers work. Some browsers store extensions inside the main program folder, so uninstalling removes them automatically. Firefox keeps them separate, which is why you need to find and delete them by hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall Firefox before deleting the extensions folder?

No. You can delete the extensions folder whether Firefox is installed or not. If Firefox is currently running, close it first. If the browser is already uninstalled, you can go straight to the profile folder and delete the extensions folder without any extra steps.

What if I cannot find the AppData folder on Windows?

AppData is a hidden folder by default. In File Explorer, click the View tab at the top, then check the box next to "Hidden items". This will show all hidden files and folders. Then you can navigate to the path normally.

Will deleting extensions affect other programs on my computer?

No. Firefox extensions are stored only in Firefox folders and do not affect any other software. Deleting them will not impact your operating system, other browsers, or any other programs.

Can I delete just one extension instead of the whole folder?

Yes. Inside the extensions folder, each extension is stored as a separate file or subfolder. You can delete individual ones if you know which file corresponds to which extension. However, it is easier to reinstall Firefox and remove extensions through the browser menu instead.

What if the extensions folder does not exist?

If you do not see an extensions folder in your profile directory, you may not have installed any extensions, or they may be stored in the extensions.json file instead. You can safely delete that file. Alternatively, the profile folder itself may be empty or missing, which means there is nothing left to clean up.