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# Betterfox ESR
[about:config](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/about-config-editor-firefox) tweaks to enhance [Mozilla Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/).
These prefs are applicable for:
* [Firefox ESR 115.0](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/switch-to-firefox-extended-support-release-esr) [^more info](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-esr-release-cycle)
* [Waterfox G6](https://github.com/WaterfoxCo/Waterfox)
* [Floorp ESR 115](https://github.com/Floorp-Projects/Floorp/tree/ESR115)
Using regular Firefox? [Switch back to the main branch](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox).
## Made for everyday browsing
**A secure, blazing fast browsing experience. Without breakage.**
Betterfox is an opinionated preference list inspired by the [law of diminishing returns](https://pmctraining.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Law-of-Diminishing-Returns-CHART.png) and the [minimum effective dose](https://medium.com/the-mission/less-is-more-the-minimum-effective-dose-e6d56625931e).
## Simple goals
1) **Minimalism:** get what isn't needed out of the way
2) **Efficiency:** unleash Firefox's ability to be fast and performant
3) **Privacy:** protect your data without causing site breakage
## Simple configs
| List | Description |
|:---------:|-------------|
| [Fastfox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/esr115/Fastfox.js) | Immensely increase Firefox's browsing speed. Give Chrome a run for its money!|
| [Securefox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/esr115/Securefox.js) | [Global Privacy Control](https://blog.mozilla.org/netpolicy/2021/10/28/implementing-global-privacy-control/). [HTTPS-by-Default](https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2021/08/10/firefox-91-introduces-https-by-default-in-private-browsing/). [Total Cookie Protection](https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2021/02/23/total-cookie-protection/) with [site isolation](https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2021/05/18/introducing-site-isolation-in-firefox/). Enhanced [state](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Privacy/State_Partitioning) and [network](https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2021/01/26/supercookie-protections/) partitioning. [Telemetry](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/e66a549985f6b0db4b14226904b8c09eaaea998f/Securefox.js#L1262-L1265) disabled. |
| [Peskyfox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/esr115/Peskyfox.js) | Unclutter the new tab page. Remove [Pocket](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/what-pocket). Restore [compact mode](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/compact-mode-workaround-firefox) as an option. Stop webpage notifications, pop-ups, and other annoyances. |
| [Smoothfox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/esr115/Smoothfox.js) | Get Edge-like smooth scrolling on your favorite browser — or choose something more your style. |
| [user.js](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/esr115/user.js) | All the essentials. None of the breakage. This is your `user.js`. |
`Fastfox`, `Securefox`, `Peskyfox`, and `Smoothfox` are guides to settings within Firefox.
The `user.js` — a configuration file that controls Firefox settings — is curated from these guides.
## Getting started
*If you don't have it already: [Get Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/#product-desktop-release)*
1) Download the user.js file [here](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/esr115/user.js) (Right click > `Save Link As…`).
2) Review [Common Overrides](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/wiki/Common-Overrides) and make any necessary changes.
3) Open Firefox. In the URL bar, type `about:profiles` and press `Enter`.
4) For the profile you want to use (or use default), click `Open Folder` in the **Root Directory** section.
5) Move the `user.js` file into the folder.
*After restarting Firefox:*
1) Get an **ad blocker** like [uBlock Origin](https://addons.mozilla.org/blog/ublock-origin-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-ad-blocker/) with our [recommended filters](https://github.com/yokoffing/filterlists#guidelines). For a simple solution, use [Ghostery](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ghostery/).
3) Enable **DNS-level protection** with [NextDNS](https://nextdns.io/?from=xujj63g5), and check out our configuration [guide](https://github.com/yokoffing/NextDNS-Config).
* See how to [quickly enable](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/dns-over-https) **secure DNS** in Firefox.
## about:Privacy
Betterfox is a great balance of privacy and convenience.
See [Optional Hardening](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/wiki/Optional-Hardening) for other suggestions.
## Recognition
### Browser Integration
* [Waterfox](https://github.com/WaterfoxCo/Waterfox/releases/tag/G6.0b3) | [files](https://github.com/WaterfoxCo/Waterfox/tree/future/waterfox/browser/app/profile) (August 2023)
* [Floorp](https://github.com/Floorp-Projects/Floorp#-betterfox) [1](https://github.com/Floorp-Projects/Floorp/issues/233#issuecomment-1543557167) [2](https://blog.ablaze.one/3135/2023-04-01/) | [files](https://github.com/Floorp-Projects/Floorp/blob/ESR115/floorp/browser/components/preferences/userjs.inc.xhtml) (April 2023)
* [Pulse](https://github.com/pulse-browser/browser#%EF%B8%8F-credits) | [files](https://github.com/pulse-browser/browser/tree/alpha/src/browser/app/profile) (Dec 2021)
* [Ghostery Private Browser](https://github.com/ghostery/user-agent-desktop#community) [1](https://web.archive.org/web/20210509171835/https://www.ghostery.com/ghostery-dawn-update-more/) [2](https://web.archive.org/web/20210921114333/https://www.ghostery.com/ghostery-dawn-product-update/) | [files](https://github.com/ghostery/user-agent-desktop/tree/main/brands/ghostery/branding/pref) (Feb 2021)
### YouTube
* [Ukrainian] [Firefox is NOT private. I show how to fix it.](https://youtu.be/mVBxBPwI_gE?si=CdPhYN8OezQbvazX&t=222) (Aug 2023)
* [The ULTIMATE Browser Tier List](https://youtu.be/j5r6jFE8gic?t=560) (Mar 2023)
* [I Hate Firefox. But I'm Still Switching Back to It.](https://youtu.be/w0SJFED5xK0?t=220) (Nov 2022)
* [Español] [Optimize and Accelerate Firefox](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XtoONmq5_Q) (Nov 2022)
* [How To Improve Firefox Performance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8IOJiOFVEk) (Dec 2021)
### Podcasts
* [Italian] [Digitalia.fm](https://digitalia.fm/684/) | 1:41:35–1:42:41 (July 2023)
* [GhoSTORIES with Franz & Pete](https://anchor.fm/ghostories/episodes/S2E6-We-Talking-Ghostery-Dawn----Again-er0q02/a-a4o5vmh) | 17:05–18:40 (Feb 2021)
### Articles
* [German] [Pulse Browser Review: Firefox fork with Turbo tweaks and Opera sidebar](https://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-Tipps-Software-Pulse-Browser-Review-ein-Firefox-Fork-mit-Seitenleiste-wie-bei-Opera-35644139.html#:~:text=Noch%20mehr%20Speed%2DFeatures) (April 2023)
* [2023 Browser Showdown: Comparing Chrome, Brave, Firefox, Vivaldi, and Opera](https://www.appdate.lk/technology/2023-browser-showdown/) (Jan 2023)
### Guides
* [FMHY Browser Tools: Privacy Tweaks](https://www.reddit.com/r/FREEMEDIAHECKYEAH/wiki/storage/#wiki_privacy_based_browsers)
* [Firefox-UI-Fix](https://github.com/black7375/Firefox-UI-Fix/wiki/Tips#privacy)
* [Narsil/desktop_user.js](https://git.nixnet.services/Narsil/desktop_user.js#thanks)
* [pyllyukko/user.js](https://github.com/pyllyukko/user.js) [comparator](https://jm42.github.io/compare-user.js/)
### Reviews
* “I use this one ... The performance is absolutely amazing. There’s definitely a huge difference when it comes to loading sites.” - [DIRIKtv](https://youtu.be/N8IOJiOFVEk?t=16)
* "BetterFox ... will provide good-enough privacy and help with performance." - [Qdoit12Super](https://old.reddit.com/r/browsers/comments/139h4my/suggestion_for_finding_3_good_privacy_focus/jj3n3qn/?context=2)
* "...drastically changed the experience with Firefox for me. Improved speed, security, smoothness, and removed clutter." - [AppDate](https://www.appdate.lk/technology/2023-browser-showdown/#:~:text=Used%20the%20BetterFox%20user%20config%20settings%20with%20some%20overrides%20which%20drastically%20changed%20the%20experience)
* "I don't think I could use Firefox without Betterfox." - [Professional_Fun4616](https://old.reddit.com/r/nextdns/comments/15y815f/the_people_behind_betterfox_have_this_awesome/jxb7cir/?context=3)
* "The best collection of tweaks available." - [AuRiMaS](https://old.reddit.com/r/MozillaFirefox/comments/15cc1vk/about_changes_in_aboutconfig/jtyx910/?context=3)
* "FF is now much snappier! Thanks a lot for the suggestions!" - [whotheff](https://old.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/z5auzi/firefox_not_properly_usingrecognizing_gpu_poor/iy36hyz/)
* "...the experience is so good now I don’t think I’ll go back to any of the chromium based browsers." - [Mr_Compromise](https://old.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/zwioe1/what_browser_will_you_be_using_in_2023_please/j1wmbxo/)
## Support
If you like the project, leave a :star: (top right) and become a [stargazer](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/stargazers)!
[](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/stargazers)
## Credit
* This repository benefits from the ongoing research provided by [arkenfox](https://github.com/arkenfox/user.js).
* Appreciation goes to the [Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/) team and developers working on [Bugzilla](https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/home), fighting for the open web.
* A special thanks to [Alex Kontos](https://github.com/MrAlex94) of [Waterfox](https://github.com/WaterfoxCo/Waterfox) for his collaboration in v.116.
* Many thanks to the 2021 [Ghostery](https://github.com/ghostery) team for testing Betterfox at scale in its early days.
since 23 July 2022
