Prevent Removal

Most browser filters can be disabled in seconds. We offer a free helper script that applies the kind of policies schools and businesses use to help keep FoxFilter from being removed.

Which approach would you like to use?

Which browser do you use?

Download the Script

This is a small, free script that applies the browser policy for . Run it once to apply protection, or run it again to remove it.

I acknowledge and agree that this tool is provided "as-is" by Inspired Effect LLC, without warranties of any kind, express or implied.

I understand that this is a best-effort tool designed to modify browser extension settings, and does not guarantee prevention of access, disabling, circumvention, or exposure to any specific content.

I acknowledge that no filtering or locking software is foolproof, and that this tool may be bypassed, disabled, misconfigured, or rendered ineffective due to user actions, system changes, third-party software, updates, or other factors beyond the control of Inspired Effect LLC.

I understand that FoxFilter is not a substitute for supervision, administrative controls, organizational policies, or responsible device and network management.

I accept full responsibility for the installation, configuration, monitoring, and use of this tool, including any outcomes resulting from its use or misuse.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Inspired Effect LLC shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages, including but not limited to loss of data, business interruption, system issues, or exposure to content, arising from the use or inability to use this tool.

I further acknowledge that Inspired Effect LLC cannot guarantee the integrity or security of this file after download and is not responsible for any issues arising from its use, modification, or redistribution by third parties.

I have read and agree to the terms above.

Windows

Download for Windows

Mac

Download for Mac

How to Run

Windows

Find the downloaded file.
Right-click it and select "Run as administrator".
Click Yes when Windows asks to allow changes.
The script will apply or remove protection automatically.
Restart for changes to take effect.

Mac

Open Terminal (search in Spotlight or find in Applications > Utilities).
Type sudo bash ~/Downloads/ and press Enter.
Enter your Mac password when prompted.
The script will apply or remove protection automatically.
Restart for changes to take effect.

Good to Know

After applying, will show "Managed by your organization" in the browser menu. This is normal and simply means a browser policy is active.
The script is a toggle — run it once to apply protection, run it again to remove it.
If FoxFilter was installed by the protection policy, removing protection may also uninstall FoxFilter after a browser restart. If this happens, simply reinstall FoxFilter from the extension store.
Firefox reads policy changes only at startup — a full restart is required after running the script.

You can apply the same browser policies manually without using the helper script. These are standard settings used by IT administrators to manage browser extensions.

Important: All steps below require administrator privileges. Restart your browser after making changes.

Which browser do you use?

Windows — Chrome

Open Registry Editor (regedit) as Administrator and create the following keys and values:

Step 1 — Force-install FoxFilter:

Policy Location
`HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionInstallForcelist`

Navigate to (or create) the registry key above.
Create a new String Value named 1
Set its data to:

nopeodilnmhhlfageeohjojginlgeljk;https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx

Step 2 — Disable Incognito so FoxFilter can't be bypassed in private windows:

Policy Location
`HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome`

Navigate to the registry key above (the parent of ExtensionInstallForcelist).
Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named IncognitoModeAvailability
Set its data to 1 (decimal).

Note: If other extensions already use value name 1 in ExtensionInstallForcelist, use the next available number (e.g. 2, 3, etc.).

Mac — Chrome

Open Terminal and run the following commands with sudo:

Force-install FoxFilter:

sudo defaults write "/Library/Managed Preferences/com.google.Chrome" \
  ExtensionInstallForcelist -array-add \
  "nopeodilnmhhlfageeohjojginlgeljk;https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx"

Disable Incognito so FoxFilter can't be bypassed in private windows:

sudo defaults write "/Library/Managed Preferences/com.google.Chrome" \
  IncognitoModeAvailability -int 1

Good to Know

After applying, Chrome will show "Managed by your organization" in the browser menu. This is normal and simply means a browser policy is active.
Incognito windows will be disabled while these policies are active. This helps reduce a common bypass where someone could open a private window to evade the filter.

To Reverse (Unlock)

Windows: Delete the FoxFilter entry from ExtensionInstallForcelist, AND delete the IncognitoModeAvailability value from the parent Chrome policy key (to re-enable Incognito).
Mac: Run
sudo defaults delete "/Library/Managed Preferences/com.google.Chrome" ExtensionInstallForcelist
and
sudo defaults delete "/Library/Managed Preferences/com.google.Chrome" IncognitoModeAvailability

Windows — Edge

Open Registry Editor (regedit) as Administrator and create the following keys and values:

Step 1 — Force-install FoxFilter:

Policy Location
`HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\ExtensionInstallForcelist`

Navigate to (or create) the registry key above.
Create a new String Value named 1
Set its data to:

pfbgokdillfdcimbbbbmlhpdinmmmogf;https://edge.microsoft.com/extensionwebstorebase/v1/crx

If you installed FoxFilter on Edge from the Chrome Web Store instead of Edge Add-ons, also add value name 2 with data nopeodilnmhhlfageeohjojginlgeljk;https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx.

Step 2 — Disable InPrivate so FoxFilter can't be bypassed in private windows:

Policy Location
`HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge`

Navigate to the registry key above (the parent of ExtensionInstallForcelist).
Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named InPrivateModeAvailability
Set its data to 1 (decimal).

Note: If other extensions already use value name 1 in ExtensionInstallForcelist, use the next available number (e.g. 2, 3, etc.).

Mac — Edge

Open Terminal and run the following commands with sudo:

Force-install FoxFilter:

sudo defaults write "/Library/Managed Preferences/com.microsoft.Edge" \
  ExtensionInstallForcelist -array-add \
  "pfbgokdillfdcimbbbbmlhpdinmmmogf;https://edge.microsoft.com/extensionwebstorebase/v1/crx"

If you installed FoxFilter on Edge from the Chrome Web Store, also run the above command with nopeodilnmhhlfageeohjojginlgeljk;https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx as the value.

Disable InPrivate so FoxFilter can't be bypassed in private windows:

sudo defaults write "/Library/Managed Preferences/com.microsoft.Edge" \
  InPrivateModeAvailability -int 1

Good to Know

After applying, Edge will show "Managed by your organization" in the browser menu. This is normal and simply means a browser policy is active.
InPrivate windows will be disabled while these policies are active. This helps reduce a common bypass where someone could open a private window to evade the filter.

To Reverse (Unlock)

Windows: Delete the FoxFilter entry from ExtensionInstallForcelist, AND delete the InPrivateModeAvailability value from the parent Edge policy key (to re-enable InPrivate).
Mac: Run
sudo defaults delete "/Library/Managed Preferences/com.microsoft.Edge" ExtensionInstallForcelist
and
sudo defaults delete "/Library/Managed Preferences/com.microsoft.Edge" InPrivateModeAvailability

Windows — Firefox

Find your Firefox installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox).
Inside it, create a folder called distribution if it doesn't already exist.
Inside distribution, create a file named policies.json with the content shown below.

Mac — Firefox

Open Terminal and create the distribution folder:
sudo mkdir -p "/Library/Application Support/Mozilla/distribution"
Create the policies file:
sudo nano "/Library/Application Support/Mozilla/distribution/policies.json"
Paste the policies.json content shown below, then save and exit.

We use this system-wide path rather than /Applications/Firefox.app/... because modern macOS / System Integrity Protection blocks writes inside the Firefox app bundle even as root. Firefox 60+ reads policies from both locations.

policies.json contents (same for Windows and Mac):

{
  "policies": {
    "ExtensionSettings": {
      "foxfilter@inspiredeffect.net": {
        "installation_mode": "force_installed",
        "install_url": "https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/downloads/latest/foxfilter/latest.xpi",
        "private_browsing": true
      }
    }
  }
}

"private_browsing": true ensures FoxFilter also runs in Private Windows and removes the user toggle in about:addons, helping reduce a common bypass method. This ExtensionSettings format requires Firefox 65 or newer.

Good to Know

FoxFilter stays enabled in Private Windows and the user toggle is removed — this helps reduce a common bypass.
The distribution folder may not exist by default — you'll need to create it.
Firefox updates can sometimes delete the distribution folder, requiring the policy to be reapplied.
Firefox reads policies.json only at startup — a full restart is required after changes.
You can verify Firefox policies are active by visiting about:policies in the browser.

To Reverse (Unlock)

Delete the policies.json file from the distribution folder, then restart Firefox.

No solution can fully prevent removal — this adds a meaningful layer, not a guarantee.

If you have questions or need help, please contact us at foxfilter@inspiredeffect.com.