If you're setting up Firefox for the first time, or doing a full fresh install, here's the 30-minute setup guide that covers everything worth doing from the start.
Step 1: Import Your Data (5 minutes)
Settings → "Import Browser Data" → choose Chrome, Edge, Safari, or another browser.
Import: Bookmarks, Saved Passwords, History (optional, if you want historical searches in the Awesome Bar).
If you're starting fresh: skip this.
Step 2: Set Your Search Engine (2 minutes)
Settings → Search → Default Search Engine.
Consider: DuckDuckGo (privacy-focused, decent results), Startpage (Google results, privacy proxy), or keep Google if you prefer it.
Also: enable "Show search suggestions" if you want autocomplete from your search engine.
Step 3: Configure Home and New Tab (3 minutes)
Settings → Home.
Uncheck: "Sponsored shortcuts" and "Recommended Stories" — these are ads/Pocket feeds, not useful defaults.
For a blank new tab: set "New tabs" to "Blank Page."
For a weather + clock new tab: install Weather & Clock Dashboard from AMO. It replaces the new tab with live weather and world clocks, no account required.
Step 4: Privacy Settings (5 minutes)
Settings → Privacy & Security:
- Enhanced Tracking Protection → select "Strict" (blocks more trackers; add exceptions for sites that break)
- HTTPS-Only Mode → "Enable HTTPS-Only Mode in all windows"
- DNS over HTTPS → select your preferred provider (Cloudflare, NextDNS, or Quad9)
- Uncheck all items under "Firefox Data Collection and Use" if you prefer not to send telemetry
Step 5: Install Core Extensions (10 minutes)
From AMO (addons.mozilla.org):
Required:
- uBlock Origin — ad and tracker blocking. The most important browser extension.
- Bitwarden — if you use a cross-browser password manager. Skip if you use Firefox's built-in.
Recommended:
- Multi-Account Containers — session isolation. Especially useful if you manage multiple accounts.
Optional based on use case:
- Dark Reader — dark mode for sites without native dark mode
- Tree Style Tab — vertical tab organization (requires hiding the default tab bar)
- Zotero Connector — if you do academic or research-heavy work
Step 6: Toolbar Cleanup (2 minutes)
Right-click the toolbar → "Customize Toolbar."
Remove: Pocket button, Sync button (unless you actively use it), and any flexible space you didn't intentionally add.
Add: any extension icons you want quick access to (uBlock Origin, Bitwarden, etc.)
Step 7: Test the Setup
- Open a news site and check the uBlock Origin icon — it should show blocked requests
- Open a new tab — it should show your configured page (blank, weather, or other)
- Visit a few sites and check the shield icon in the address bar — it should show blocked trackers
- Try pressing F9 on an article page — Reader View should work
The about:config Tweaks Worth Adding
A few final tweaks in about:config (type it in the address bar):
-
browser.tabs.loadBookmarksInTabs→true: bookmarks open in new tabs -
browser.ctrlTab.recentlyUsedOrder→true: Ctrl+Tab uses most-recently-used order
The Maintenance Reminder
Firefox updates automatically. Extensions update automatically. Two things that need occasional manual attention:
Passwords: If you use Firefox's built-in password manager, check for breached passwords periodically (Settings → Privacy & Security → Saved Logins → "Check for Breached Websites")
Extension list: Review your installed extensions every few months. Remove ones you don't use — every extension is potential overhead and attack surface.
That's the complete setup. Total time: 30 minutes. These settings will serve you well for years without needing adjustment.
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