Disable Automatic Virus Scan in Firefox 3 [How To]

By Rich on September 8, 2008 (21 Comments)

Most virus checkers have real-time protection enabled. I find the file virus checker in Firefox 3 to do no more than slow my computer down. Learn how to disable the automatic virus check in Firefox 3 in this guide.

Disable Virus Auto-check in Firefox 3

Please be sure you are downloading safe files. This virus check is put in for a reason and should only be disabled if you are confident you know what you are doing.

Type about:config in the Firefox address bar
Now filter the following browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone
Set the parameter to False

Now, Firefox wont slow down after every file you download.

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

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Comments

matticus88
Thanks for this, i came to this page via a google search and the virus scan really annoyed me so this is really useful.
matticus88
Thanks for this, i came to this page via a google search and the virus scan really annoyed me so this is really useful.
http://glittertain.blogspot.com/ Nikola
Awesome, thanks so much!!!
http://glittertain.blogspot.com Nikola
Awesome, thanks so much!!!
Max
what is this virus checker? i think firefox is doesn’t contain any viruschecker.
- http://mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich
  @Max – When you download a file, Firefox will scan it when the download completes.
Max
what is this virus checker? i think firefox is doesn’t contain any viruschecker.
- http://mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich
  @Max – When you download a file, Firefox will scan it when the download completes.
Max
What is your antivirus application? I ask this because i use AVG and firefox doesn’t invoke that.
- http://mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich
  AVG on my desktop.
  Watch carefully after a file download (a bigger file is better because it takes longer to scan.) When the file is complete, a notice under the progress bar (in the download box) will notify you that Firefox is “Scanning for viruses”. Please note this is only a feature of Firefox 3.
Max
What is your antivirus application? I ask this because i use AVG and firefox doesn’t invoke that.
- http://mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich
  AVG on my desktop.
  Watch carefully after a file download (a bigger file is better because it takes longer to scan.) When the file is complete, a notice under the progress bar (in the download box) will notify you that Firefox is “Scanning for viruses”. Please note this is only a feature of Firefox 3.
KJ
yeah, firefox will do it regardless of what antivirus program you have
KJ
yeah, firefox will do it regardless of what antivirus program you have
Carole Ellis
In setting up my printer, I am told to close virus checking program. Does that mean I need to disable it?
http://firefox Carole Ellis
In setting up my printer, I am told to close virus checking program. Does that mean I need to disable it?
Anonymous
this is a great idea, especially since IT DOESN’T DO A DARN THING!
Anonymous
This is good especially since Firefox’s virus scanner DOESN’T DO ANYTHING.
justingoldberg
this is nice especially since FIREFOX'S VIRUS SCANNING DOESN'T DO A DARN THING!
Gjhhg Sdf
You just need to get decent AV software… like F-Secure
Grytpype
Works in Firefox 4.0.1 too!

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