Question

Hi Tyler, Thanks for the quick reply. To your question: Is there a reason you don't want to update? The short answer to this is an old saying that I often live by: If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Often more times than not when I have upgraded in the past whether it was my browser, Media Player, or other programs what usully happens is the format, the overall look of the program that one has got used to changes a fair bit. In other cases some aspects of the new upgraded program become intrusive, annoying or impaired. When someone gets used to the layout and look and feel of a program, changing it all around is a negative and makes it hard to navigate and learn all over and frankly, I have never had a security issue thus far with my Malware and Virus protection.

I know at my home computer I was tricked into upgrading Firefox and I do not (as many do not) like the new look and layout of Firefox. I will try your tools suggestion and see if that helps. Thanks so much

Hi Tyler, Well I just went to Tools- Options- Advanced and low and behold all three boxes are UNCHECKED I am still being hassled by a drop down box telling me my browser is out of date. Here is the drop down box that haunts me now every time I open a new browser window:

Your browser is out of date.

Upgrade today for the latest in speed and security.

Your browser is out of date.

Upgrade today for the latest in speed and security. Free Download No thanks, I'll risk it.

Ok, I think what your best solution is is this: Download Firefox 12 from www.getfirefox.com.

After downloading and installing that, then I would suggest using a resource like http://www.computertechtips.net/64/make-firefox-4-look-like-ff-3-6/, which will help you customize Firefox to look and behave just like firefox 3.6, but with all the new security fixes (Just so you know, by not updating, you are vulnerable to almost all of the security holes listed at https://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/firefox.html, and more).

With the new theme and customization (which shouldn't take very long to do) you should be all set. I know getting used to a new look and feel is difficult, fortunately that is the beauty of firefox, you can make it behave and look how you want it to. But, just not upgrading because "it isn't broken" don't work here, because unfortunately, Firefox 3.6.6 is broken due to security issues, crashes, speed and web standards support :(

Another user who wanted to customize their firefox, https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/895542

The solution is actually very simple. Just change your home page (Tools -> Options -> General) to something else, like http://www.google.com, and the popup will go away. I had this problem also, but not anymore!!!

It seems to only pop up if you go to start.mozilla.org

I'm not super happy about changing the homepage, but I don't really care because that pop up is worse.

I came here expecting to get help with this problem. Instead, I see a bunch of responses repeating what the spam message says. If I wanted to do that I wouldn't have come all the way out here!

EDIT: Alternately, if you have Adblock Plus (or another blocker), you can go Tools -> Adblock Plus -> Open blockable items and block the line

http://start.mozilla.org/en-US/js/jquery-1.7.2.min.js

This seems to work too, then you can keep using the old homepage with no harassment.

Hi HawkMike...... your solution for now seems to have done the trick and got rid of that annoying forceful drop down box every time I opened a new Firefox browser window.

I had to enter and edit it twice under Tools-Options- General- Homepage Box: as Craigslist kept coming up as the forst screen since I was in Craigslist last. So I deleted the string back to just : http://www.google.com/

Problem relieved. Thanks HawkMike.

@ Tyler... I do understand what you are saying but for now ... I have been on this version for 2 years or so and maybe I am playing Russian Roulette but I hate being pushed into a format I end up not liking and if the instructions above are as easy as you say and often they are not.... than if that does not do the trick, it's not like I can get back to 3.6.6 again. I tried to do that on my home computer to no success. It still had all the fragments of the new version even though I assumed I reloaded the old back on again.

I am also annoyed by the notification of "Your Firefox Browser is out of date" that hijacks the browser page every time I open Firefox. As a matter of fact, I had to downgrade Firefox to the version 3.6 because it is the only one compatible with the RealPlayer plugin that allow me to download content from youtube easier than any of the all other junk out there

Do I have the choice to use whatever version of anything that I want on my computer?

This whole Firefox is annoying my concept of ownership of my own computer, I can't be wasting time on annoyances every time I open my browser - if that's Firefox policy, it has something in common with ie

Please, don't waste your time in replying with what is good for me - this is about ownership rights - I am running an old version - so what? The version of the OS in the brain of anyone in here is older than DOS and I don't know anyone who wants to change the air of the head just because they have a new version

I am older than DOS and I can tell you, there is no such thin as a browser that is also a firewall and antivirus and wipe your back at the same time - if so, just delete your antivirus and install the new version of everything (yeah right)

I think that it is about the time to seek for another browser that is just a browser and let my firewall to be the firewall and my antivirus to take care of the viruses - trend micro proxy also prevent me from accidentally accessing malicious web sites

I dont need to have Check Point Firewall on the front of my router, then another virtual firewall in Windows and another Firewall on the browser

What's going on with you guys?

Actually, if you do upgrade to Firefox 12, and can't get it to work, you can downgrade to 3.6 http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all-older.html has the installers. Please note this isn't supported at all due to security issues.

TheMiamiguy, a firewall won't help you against some of the security issues fixed in these updates. And not updating is a wise thing because you'd rather have known security holes then try your best to stay secure? I update as soon as possible to help minimize the possibility of attack, I figure, the more updates and fixes I have, the better the chances i won't have issues down the road.

My computer does not meet the requirements for the the new Fox download.

Yeah...this is annoying me. I hated when I upgraded from 2 to 3 because it broke all of my plugins...I don't want to break all of my plugins from firefox 3 Mozilla! What about that do you not understand??

Tools > Options > General > Home page Check that your default (home) page is google.com (or whatever) and not some https://... mozilla... something. THIS is how you get rid of the annoying pop-up, not by downloading the newer version. The new versions (they are Sooo fast) use 80-100% of my P4 CPU. I gave up long ago on "upgrading" Firefox. This was an ugly move from you guys.

Yes I know, I switched to www.google.com but I liked the Mozilla google page.  :P

Me too. Not anymore, for the obvious reason discussed above.

Plus, I LIKE the format of Firefox 3. The new version just looks like an attempt to look like google chrome...I don't LIKE google chrome, that's why I use FIREFOX, not google chrome...

Well the awesome thing is, you can customize Firefox 12 to look like 3.6. http://mike.kaply.com/2012/02/13/making-firefox-10-more-like-firefox-3-6/ is a good starter.

Hi Tyler, You are taking a lot of beating and I applaud you for keeping calm.... even though everyone does have very valid points. I think Firefox should simply alert the user to the reasons to upgrade but also be transparent about any negatives like more CPU usage, or more stuff running behind the scenes... be transparent and let the user decide. If they risk the old version and get compromised, than as they say Caveat Emptor. Being forced or tricked into a upgrade because someone hit the wrong button when refusing or having to change the Homepage in order to shake a nasty reminder that does not go away is in my opinion pushy and bossy.

deadcandance, you can always give your opinion on a better way of updating Firefox by going to http://input.mozilla.org/en-US/feedback and clicking the "I have an Idea" section (developers rarely read these forums, so suggestions like yours will likely get lost here).

Also, just so you know, high CPU usage, etc. (I'm not sure what you mean by more stuff running behind the scenes, as there aren't anythings running behind the scenes. If you mean the mozilla update service, it only starts when there is an update, it installs it, then kills itself, so it isn't constantly running) are not normal and we can help you resolve them if you have those issues.

Perhaps I'll sum it up here so then everyone coming into this discussion can see :)

Firefox 3.6 is no longer supported: Firefox 3.6 is no longer supported

Firefox 12 is the current release: www.getfirefox.com

Firefox 3.6 is open to security holes: https://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/firefox.html

While you can choose to stay on 3.6, it is not at all wise or recommended.

If you want to keep the home page from telling you to update, simply change your home page to something else (like www.google.com). How to set the home page

If you wish to customize Firefox 12 to look like 3.6, you can: http://mike.kaply.com/2012/02/13/making-firefox-10-more-like-firefox-3-6/

All software gets out of date, and eventually people have to stop supporting older versions, as the man power is limited :( 3.6 has been supported since it came out in 2010, it is at the end of it's life.

If you have specific issues with Firefox 12, please start a new thread and the community would love to help you out! https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/new

hopefully this helps sum everything up so far (as I understand it), just so everyone is on the same page.

What we gently ask of you is: "no more pop-ups". Thanks, Tyler.

Yes...all I want is Mozilla to stop bitching at me to update, there are 9 more versions of Mozilla in the past couple of years...I don't CARE. All updating gives me is a new GUI, I haven't had the rare bugs or crashes, and I'm a CS major, so on the off chance that I actually am retarded and click on a bad link and get infected with a virus...I can FIX it.

What I can't fix is "YOUR CURRENT FIREFOX IS **** AND THEREFORE YOU ARE ****. UPGRADE NOW TO BREAK ALL OF YOUR EXTENSIONS AND CHANGE EVERYTHING YOU'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO LOLOLOL".

There is no option to tell firefox to stop bothering me about an update I don't need, and that's why I posted in this thread.

I must admit, I was also quite hesitant to upgrade from 3.6 after seeing the changes in version 4. Today however I decided to take the plunge, and i'm quite pleased with what I see in version 12.

The layout is essentially identical to my 3.6 - every button and toolbar is exactly where it should be, so that I don't forsee any myself having to do any customization to get things the way I want. All of my add-ons installed seamlessly as well, making the entire process smooth and quick.

Nice job, guys!

Hey, if you are still running 3.6 leave it on your computer and then DL 4.0 and just follow the instructions to install it and when it ask you to upgrade just do it and when you go back to your desktop click on firefox and it should be back again without the update, hope it works for you as it did for me.

I agree- This download update thing keeps popping up!...and I tried to download on my Mac.numerous times....and it wont open or download correctly... Its all F........annoying... Also,no Tech support at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Firefox...my new opinion ...SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!! Big time.

Stop harassing me with stupid pop ups! It's one thing there was the upgrade text that was there for years, I would have clicked it years ago if I wanted to. I liked this start page because of even Google would put a stupid pop up of it's own to download Chrome, and the other little bugs they won't fix. People shouldn't be telling me what software to use. If I want to use an old version, so be it. I don't even know if the "security" clause is even valid since there are probably so many Firefox versions out there, but most are probably using the latest, so the attackers wouldn't be going after a specific older version...

Here are the retards that enacted this. https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=734197

I don't even know if the "security" clause is even valid since there are probably so many Firefox versions out there, but most are probably using the latest, so the attackers wouldn't be going after a specific older version...

The crime syndicates intent on stealing all our credit cards and passwords and taking over our computers to generate their spam are delighted to hear you say that. They've got nothing but money and time to find every possible way to get fake security/diagnostic software and other scams onto every computer on the planet. You can make an informed decision to run a risk based on your other layers of security, but please don't pretend it isn't a real problem.

For every person who complained in this thread, there probably are a dozen others who finally upgraded. Yes, you have to take an extra step to stop the notices if you can't bear the thought of upgrading, but I think it's better that you take an extra step than Mozilla leaves the other dozen people ignorant of the importance of upgrading.

@jscher2000 Very typical self-centered individual. I say something that he doesn't like, and he takes it upon himself to make incorrect assumptions and then thow insults about it. Fact of the matter is, there are perfectly valid reasons for not upgrading, but not out of ignorance as you've ignorantly purported. I hate to bust your bubble, but the security clause is more of a scare tatic than anything else. I know the problem is a big one, but it's not as big as you think, not like affected websites going after a specific older browser version are as common as dirt. I'm not about to let someone or something to dictate what software I use, I am out of that loop. They've had to mess with the start page (got to keep it on topic), having the one line of text was one thing, but to put a pop up that covers the screen on every start page load has gone too far. An obvious solution is to use a different start page, but the point of this thread is about the messing with the start page. We liked the start page because it was elegantly simple. Now if you don't like that, go ahead and throw more insults, I'm not counting on you seeing that not everybody operates the way you do.

hhdhkjjkffjkdjkdsjkfkjf, let's keep this level here, no need to throw any insults. I'm pretty close to locking this thread, as i just is turning into a bunch of arguing and insults. There is no need for words like "Here are the retards that enacted this." "Very typical self-centered individual" and other things that have been said.

The fact is, there are serious security holes in older versions of Firefox. I don't care if it is Firefox 2, Firefox 3.6.6, firefox 3.6.28 or firefox 11. Firefox 12 is the only version with all the most recent security fixes. and the way people exploit these holes isn't like "Let's attack firefox 3.6.6 and that version only". These holes are also in all older version , so for example, if they attack a hole that is fixed in Firefox 12, all version of Firefox, from 10 on down, are open to it. It is only the most recent that is secure.

You can choose not to upgrade, it is your choice. Mozilla doesn't make money if you upgrade, mozilla doesn't have an agenda when you upgrade, except to make the web better. If you don't like the User Interface, then change it! Here is a user that did exactly that: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/926330.

Maybe security isn't a big deal to you. I know to me, I'd rather have every card in my favor when I can, so not only do I have anti-virus and a firewall, I also keep windows up to date, and Firefox (and plugins and everything else). I know security is an ongoing battle, and so I figure, "hey, it's one less way that people can exploit my computer, so let's do it". If there is a user interface change I don't like (and there have been), I either customize, or install and add-on to make Firefox how I like it. That is the beautiful thing about Firefox, you can make changes.

As jscher2000 said above, for every person who didn't update, there have been dozens that are. These people are wanting to stay safe. there is no agenda except making the web better. If you want to stay with a 2010 web experience, it's your choice.

If the insults don't stop, I will lock this thread, not to censor, but because mozilla's volunteer community does not deserve to be insulted. So let's keep it positive people, and remember we are all on the same team, you want to surf the web, we want to help you :)

@Tylerdowner I welcome constructive posts like yours, even though you don't necessarily agree with me on all points, that's fine. You're constructive is what counts. It's when people like @jscher2000 take it upon themselves to reply as if my posts, insults included, are directed at him, when they are not. As for 'If you want to stay with a 2010 web experience, it's your choice.', it doesn't look like that, since Firefox has good site compatibility so that the incentive to upgrade is further reduced. ;) Let's just say that doing the pop up thing made me (and the other complainers) angry, and we firmly let you know about it that we don't like it. In firmly, I mean that it was such a bad decision to not be able to disable that pop up. There are probably tons of older versions of Firefox out there in the wild since we are up to v. 12 now? I'm sure if people wanted to really upgrade, they would have. 'we want to help you' Are you listening? The point is: So we don't want to upgrade, can you stop putting nagging pop ups all other mozilla.com?

What I mean by a 2010 website experience is that all the new features (many times faster Javascript, the new HTML5 web standards support, hardware acceleration, Vastly improved spell checking, retained layers rendering system, tons of new CSS improvements and new features, improved memory usage, and on and on) aren't avialable to you. If you compare the release notes from 4 to 11, there are tens of thousands of improvements. Yes, some changes certain users may not like (specifically the UI). But these changes are easily customized (it is so easy to change the UI to 3.6 style) I had a user last week running firefox 3.5. We updated her to 12, and I had to do 3 simply things to make her UI look like 3.6.

1. Tabs on Bottom 2. Menu Bar 3. Installed a Persona to make the colors the same as Firefox 3.6

It was very close, and with a bit more time you could make it 100% the same as Firefox 3.6

I understand that the update prompt makes some people annoyed, but really, I feel that the hassle of updating is well worth the benefits. Obviously some people will not feel that way, but most people should upgrade.

The Mozilla team decided to change the start page to tell those users who don't even know what a Version is that they are insecure and need to update. you must remember that while you may be more advanced than some users, the majority of users aren't.

Google chrome is a browser for inexperienced computer users. It does everything in the background whether you like it or not. Firefox notifies you of EVERYTHING and affords the most advantage which is why I use it.  :P

Maybe going the tactic of expecting I'm an idiot wasn't their best move then...haha :P

Metalsand, the awesome thing is, you can always tell firefox not to update automatically. it isn't necessarily the wisest decision, but it is possible.

That, along with not collecting my user information without letting me know and giving a measly one page of settings to tweak are the reasons why I use Firefox over Chrome...so I don't know why they keep on trying to make it more like Chrome...  :/

Hi hhdhkjjkffjkdjkdsjkfkjf, bear in mind that a lot of people read and rely on these forums without ever posting, so I sometimes feel it is necessary to respond to mistaken comments about browser security. It wasn't meant to be a personal attack -- it's not about you, it's about the information you posted -- but I got the tone wrong. I apologize for that, and I'll try to do better next time.

@Tylerdowner Can you have the pop up be disabled by something say a cookie? (using Google's Chrome pop up in the upper right as an example - is remembered by a cookie) aka dismiss it and it doesn't come back? In that yes, I'm a more advanced user so I don't worry about security as much as some people do. Quite honestly, if I have to reformat, it isn't the end of the world. (of course a virus is one thing, using as an example) I have not had a virus, exploit, or phished since DOS/Windows 3.1 - in which I didn't know better and I was running executables from the web and email without checking them. Lesson learned. It is always possible that even through if I used the latest software, a new exploit may exist and be known by the criminals, but not yet known to the software developer. I've always felt it was a never ending cat and mouse game and that reformatting isn't the end of the world. I guess this stems from having to re-install software seemingly constantly and being annoyed with it vs MS's old patch based system. Back in the IE days, you bet I had an up to date copy of IE, it was easy and not so annoying. But there are other things like OS, embedded, and other constraints where it's not possible to upgrade due to dropping support for the OS, etc. on my other systems.

@jscher2000 I hear you. Apology accepted.  :)

my browser (3.6) just informed me that this is the last time i will be asked if i want to update before i am forced to automatically...wtf?

I think the arguments for and against remaining secure and using the latest version of Firefox have been exhausted by now, and I'm glad the tone is back to a respectful and friendly one. :)

Others have already summarized well the actions users may or may not take to stop the notifications that you're not on a secure version of Firefox -- it's ultimately up to you what to do with that.

User interfaces and old habits aside, there are lots of good stuff under the hood of each release that enables us to do cool things on the web that weren't possible in 2010. http://hacks.mozilla.org/demos/ is a great place to find out what's actually possible for web developers to do on a truly modern web. So, Mozilla obviously wants you to use the latest version as that gives us more leverage in our fight for a more open and modern web. But it's your choice in the end.

I'm locking this thread since there's simply nothing more to say here.

Cheers, David Tenser Director of User Support