Enable or Disable JavaScript in Chrome, Firefox, Safari and IE?

JavaScript is a scripting language used to create dynamic pages using client side as well as server side scripting. Enabling JavaScript in the web browsers is mandatory for most of the sites to run properly. For example, you need to enable JavaScript in order to disable any ads like Google AdSense in your browser. Here is the detailed explanation of enabling or disabling JavaScript in famous browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple iOS Safari for iPhone and iPad, Apple Mac Safari and Internet Explorer.

Java and JavaScript are two different languages.

Java is a complex language developed by Sun Microsystems whereas JavaScript is a scripting language developed by Netscape.

Mozilla Firefox (Version 23 or above)

Firefox removed the option of enabling or disabling JavaScript from the browser settings in order to make more convenient for the users by enabling it by default. Follow the below process if you still want to disable it.

Open “about:config” (without quotes) in Firefox browser’s address bar.
You will be prompted with an alert box, click the button “I’ll be careful, I promise!” as shown in the below picture.

about:config in Firefox

Search for “javascript” and locate “javascript.enabled” preference name.
Right click on it and select “Toggle” as shown in the picture below. Once toggled the value will be changed from “true” to “false” and JavaScript will be disabled in Firefox browser.

Disable JavaScript in Firefox

Toggle it again to enable JavaScript.

Internet Explorer (Version 8 or above)

Open Internet Explorer and go to “Internet Options” available under “Tools” menu.
Select “Security” tab and click on “Internet” zone.
If your security settings are set as “Default level” then JavaScript is already enabled in your browser.
Otherwise click on “Custom level” button and new window will open for changing your browser’s security settings.
Choose enable or disable button for “Active Scripting” option available under “Scripting” section.

Enable or Disable JavaScript in IE

Google Chrome

Open Chrome browser and click on “Settings” option available under the wrench icon shown in the right top corner.
Click on “Show advanced settings…” option and go to “Privacy” section.
Click on “Content settings…” button and enable “Allow all sites to run JavaScript (recommended)” option available under “JavaScript” section to run JavaScript on your browser.

Enable or Disable JavaScript in Chrome

Select “Do not allow any site to run JavaScript” option to disable JavaScript in Chrome browser.

Safari OS X Mac

Open Safari browser and click on the “Safari” menu located at the top.
Select “Preferences” and then select “Security” tab.
Check or uncheck the “Enable JavaScript” box to enable or disable JavaScript in Safari.

Enable or Disable JavaScript in Mac Safari OS X

Safari iOS (Version 7 or later)

Open “Settings” icon from your “iPad” or “iPhone” home screen.
Go to “Safari” section and select “Advanced” option.

Enable or Disable JavaScript in Safari iOS

Enable or disable “JavaScript”.