Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

I have Firefox 38.2.0 and it tells me it's the latest version but online there's version 40+ and it won't let me install it.

  • 2 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 24 views
  • Last reply by Hanoch

Hanoch
Hanoch
more options

my OS is Windows 10. I have Firefox 38.2.0 and it tells me it's the latest version. However, I've received emails telling me to update to the latest version which seems to be in the 40's. When I go to the site https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ , it tells me "looks like you're using an older version of Firefox."

So I click on upgrade and it loads a "stub" file. I close down Firefox, go to the folder where the file is located and run it. At the end of the process, it tells me that Firefox is still running and I have to close it for the new version to load. So I go to Task Manager and it tells me that no applications are currently running! I've gone thru this process three times with no positive result.

What to do???

my OS is Windows 10. I have Firefox 38.2.0 and it tells me it's the latest version. However, I've received emails telling me to update to the latest version which seems to be in the 40's. When I go to the site https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ , it tells me "looks like you're using an older version of Firefox." So I click on upgrade and it loads a "stub" file. I close down Firefox, go to the folder where the file is located and run it. At the end of the process, it tells me that Firefox is still running and I have to close it for the new version to load. So I go to Task Manager and it tells me that no applications are currently running! I've gone thru this process three times with no positive result. What to do???

Chosen solution

I'm going to answer your question, but I suggest not changing your Firefox version until we figure out whether that has any relation to your crashes, discussed here: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1078897

There are two different releases of Firefox at any given time:

  • Standard/mainstream release: currently Firefox 40.0.2
  • Extended Support Release (ESR): currently Firefox 38.2.0

The ESR version is intended for companies that need maximum stability for their users' computers. New features usually are not added for at least six months, although security patches are issued approximately every six weeks.

Do you want to switch to the standard release? If so, this is how I suggest doing it:

Clean Reinstall

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent, corrupted, or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 40.0.2 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(C) Rename the program folder, either:

(64-bit Windows folder names) 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to 

C:\Program Files (x86)\FxESR

(32-bit Windows folder names) 

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to 

C:\Program Files\FxESR

(D) Run the installer you downloaded in (A). It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that old folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

  • \FxESR\Plugins
  • \FxESR\browser\plugins
Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

I'm going to answer your question, but I suggest not changing your Firefox version until we figure out whether that has any relation to your crashes, discussed here: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1078897

There are two different releases of Firefox at any given time:

  • Standard/mainstream release: currently Firefox 40.0.2
  • Extended Support Release (ESR): currently Firefox 38.2.0

The ESR version is intended for companies that need maximum stability for their users' computers. New features usually are not added for at least six months, although security patches are issued approximately every six weeks.

Do you want to switch to the standard release? If so, this is how I suggest doing it:

Clean Reinstall

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent, corrupted, or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 40.0.2 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(C) Rename the program folder, either:

(64-bit Windows folder names) 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to 

C:\Program Files (x86)\FxESR

(32-bit Windows folder names) 

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to 

C:\Program Files\FxESR

(D) Run the installer you downloaded in (A). It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that old folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

  • \FxESR\Plugins
  • \FxESR\browser\plugins
Hanoch
Hanoch Question owner
more options

Thank you so very much. I will wait a while before trying to update again. The stability of the program is much more important to me than any new features. I use Firefox as my browser 99% of the time because it's so functional and stable.....however, i have been having an unusually large number of crashes since I upgraded to Windows 10....so I think i'll wait till this all settles out.

Again, thank you for your clear reply.