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Firefox can be configured to automatically check for updates to the application, search engines, and any installed add-ons. This article shows you how to configure Firefox for automatic updates and to manually check for updates, if desired.

Firefox can be configured to automatically check for updates to the application, search engines, and any installed add-ons. This article shows you how to configure Firefox for automatic updates and to manually check for updates, if desired. {for linux} {note}'''Note:''' If you use your Linux distribution's packaged version of Firefox, you will need wait for an updated package to be released to its package repository. This article only applies if you installed Firefox manually (without using your distribution's package manager).{/note} {/for} __TOC__ = Automatic updates = By default, Firefox is configured to automatically check for updates. {for fx35} # When an update is available, the '''Software Update''' dialog is automatically displayed. It contains a list of updates for Firefox components that are installed on your system. To begin updating your software, click {button OK}. The new versions of any selected updates are downloaded and installed. # When the install process is complete, you must restart Firefox. To close Firefox and re-open it, click {button Done}. # After Firefox restarts, all updated versions of Firefox components are available. {/for} {for fx4} *Minor updates will be downloaded in the background and installed when you restart Firefox. *If an update has been waiting to be installed for more than 24 hours, you'll see a notification with the option to restart Firefox and install the update. {for win,fx4}[[Image:Update Win4]]{/for}{for mac,fx4}[[Image:Update Mac4]]{/for}{for linux,fx4}[[Image:Update Lin4]]{/for} {/for} '''Having problems?''' * [[Cannot connect after upgrading Firefox]] * [[Firefox cannot connect securely because the SSL protocol is disabled]] * [[Software Update Failed]] * [[AUS Update XML File Malformed 200]] = Manually check for updates = {for win,fx35}[[Video:0c1dabb9bbec4f505cc0af87ca2fa2ea-1264111395-762-0]]{/for} {for mac,fx35}[[Video:0c1dabb9bbec4f505cc0af87ca2fa2ea-1264120352-899-0]]{/for} {for win,fx3}[[Video:0c1dabb9bbec4f505cc0af87ca2fa2ea-1250804489-199-0]]{/for} {for linux,fx3}[[Video:0c1dabb9bbec4f505cc0af87ca2fa2ea-1250481299-354-0]]{/for} {for mac,fx3}[[Video:0c1dabb9bbec4f505cc0af87ca2fa2ea-1250616703-761-0]]{/for} At any time, you can check for updates. #{for win,linux}At the top of the Firefox window{/for}{for mac}On the menu bar{/for}, click on the {for fx35}{menu Help}{/for}{for mac,fx4}{menu Firefox}{/for}{for linux,fx4}{menu Help}{/for}{for win,fx4}{menu Firefox} menu, go over to the {menu Help} menu and select {menu About Firefox}{/for}{for not win,fx4} menu, and select {/for}{for fx35}{menu Check for Updates...}{/for}{for mac,linux,fx4}{menu About Firefox}{/for} {for win,fx4} #*'''For Windows XP:''' At the top of the Firefox window, click on the {menu Help} menu and select {menu About Firefox}{/for}{for win,fx35}<br><br>[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1264099043-211-1.jpg]]<br><br>{/for}{for mac,fx35}<br><br>[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1264100909-839-1.jpg]]<br><br>{/for}{for linux,fx35}<br><br>[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1264102928-31-1.jpg]]<br><br>{/for}{for fx35} #** If it is grayed out, see [[Check for Updates is disabled]].{/for}{for fx4} #The '''About Firefox''' window will open and Firefox will begin checking for updates. If updates are available, they will begin downloading automatically. If Firefox is already up to date, just close the '''About Firefox''' window.<br>{for win,fx4}[[Image:Update Win1]]{/for}{for mac,fx4}[[Image:Update Mac1]]{/for}{for linux,fx4}[[Image:Update Lin1]]{/for} #When the updates are downloaded and ready to be installed, click {button Apply Update}. Firefox will be restarted and the updates installed.<br>{for win,fx4}[[Image:Update Win2]]{/for}{for mac,fx4}[[Image:Update Mac2]]{/for}{for linux,fx4}[[Image:Update Lin2]]{/for}{/for}{for fx35} # If major updates are available, click {button Get the New Version} to begin the update process. <br/> <br/> {for win}[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1264099043-211-2.jpg]]{/for}{for linux}[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1264102928-31-2.jpg]]{/for}{for mac}[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1264100909-839-2.jpg]]{/for}<br/> #* If no updates are available, click {for win,linux}{button Finish}{/for}{for mac}{button Done}{/for} to close the window. # When the install process is complete, you must restart Firefox. To close Firefox and re-open it, click {button Restart Firefox}.<br/> <br/> {for win}[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1264099043-211-3.jpg]]{/for}{for linux}<br/> [[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1264102928-31-3.jpg]]{/for}{for mac}[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1264100909-839-3.jpg]]{/for}<br/> <!-- # After Firefox restarts, all updated versions of Firefox components are available. # Any add-ons you have installed, which are not yet compatible with the new version will be listed. You can choose to check for updates to those add-ons or check later.<br/> <br/> {for win}[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1246376049-60-6.jpg]]{/for}{for linux}[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1249961595-620-1.png]]{/for}{for mac}[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1250139072-5-3.jpg]]{/for}<br/> ** For more information on updating add-ons, see [[Using extensions with Firefox#How to update extensions|How to update extensions]]. --> {/for} '''Having problems?''' * [[Cannot connect after upgrading Firefox]] * [[Firefox cannot connect securely because the SSL protocol is disabled]] * [[Software Update Failed]] * [[AUS Update XML File Malformed 200]] = Configuring update options = You can configure Firefox to automatically check for updates or to disable automatic updating. # [[T:optionspreferences]] # Click the {menu Advanced} icon. # Click the {menu Update} tab. The auto-update options are displayed.{for win,fx35}<br/> <br/>[[Image:b513a14c34322eef221cf4c407eda5bf-1264099478-113-1.jpg]] <br/>{/for}{for win,fx4}[[Image:Options - Advanced - Win3]]{/for}{for mac,fx4}[[Image:Prefs - Advanced - Mac3]]{/for}{for linux,fx4}[[Image:Prefs - Advanced - Lin3]]{/for} # Update options: #* '''Automatically check updates for updates to:''' Select the component types to which you wish Firefox to check for updates. Firefox can check for updates to the Firefox application, any installed add-ons, and search engines. #** To disable automatic checking for updates, deselect all three options. ''If you deselect the Firefox option, you will not receive critical security updates that may keep you safe online unless you frequently do a manual check for updates.'' #* '''When updates to Firefox are found:''' Choose how you want Firefox to manage any found updates. #** '''Ask me what I want to do''': Firefox lets you choose if you want to download and install the update. If you do not choose to do so, you can download it at a later time. #** '''Automatically download and install the update''': Firefox automatically downloads and installs found updates. If you wish to be prompted if the downloads will disable any installed add-ons, select that option. #* To review the history of updates that have been downloaded and installed, click {button Show Update History}. # [[T:closeOptionsPreferences]] '''Having problems?''' * [[Check for Updates is disabled|The Firefox checkbox is disabled]] <!-- MZ credit --> <br/> <br/> '''''Based on information from [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Software_Update Software Update (mozillaZine KB)]'''''