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Notification when the add-on was updated

  • 7 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 45 views
  • Last reply by Wojtek

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Is there a way for Firefox to notify me when the add-on was updated (ideally with the list of changed things)? Currently everything is so hidden that the only way to check if the addon was updated is to check it's version... and remember previous version. Or at least display add-on version and update date in the list of the add-ons...

Is there a way for Firefox to notify me when the add-on was updated (ideally with the list of changed things)? Currently everything is so hidden that the only way to check if the addon was updated is to check it's version... and remember previous version. Or at least display add-on version and update date in the list of the add-ons...

Chosen solution

A long, long time ago, I set Firefox to ask me before installing any updates, and before installing any extension updates. With those settings:

  • When a Firefox update is available, Firefox drops a message from the menu button asking if you want to download it.
  • A new category appears in the left column of the Add-ons page for Available Updates. That panel lists which extensions have updates -- some authors provide a list of changes -- and you can make choices about which ones to update and which ones not to update.

Why not try that for a few weeks and see whether you like it?

To set that up:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button promising to be careful or accepting the risk.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste updat and pause while the list is filtered

(3) Double-click the app.update.auto preference to switch the value from true to false

(4) If the app.update.enabled preference is bolded and "modified" or "user set" to false, double-click it to restore the default value of true (this is necessary for Firefox to check for available updates)

(5) Double-click the extensions.update.autoUpdateDefault preference to switch the value from true to false

(6) If the extensions.update.enabled preference is bolded and "modified" or "user set" to false, double-click it to restore the default value of true (this is necessary for Firefox to check for available extension updates)

I'm not sure change #3 is needed to change how extension updates work, but since I want #3 set that way, I have not tested without it.

Edit: Added #6.

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All Replies (7)

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Separate Security Issue: Update your Flash Player or remove it using these links; http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html Uninstall Flash Player | Windows http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html Uninstall Flash Player | Mac

Note: Windows users should download the ActiveX for Internet Explorer. and the plugin for Plugin-based browsers (like Firefox).

Note: Windows 8 and Windows 10 have built-in flash players and Adobe will cause a conflict. Install the plugin only. Not the ActiveX.

Flash Player Version: Version 30.0.0.113

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ Direct link scans current system and browser Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only>

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/ Step 1: Select Operating System Step 2: Select A Version (Firefox, Win IE . . . .) Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only> +++++++++++++++++++ See if there are updates for your graphics drivers https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

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Add-on questions should be posted in the add-ons forum; https://discourse.mozilla-community.org/c/add-ons

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Why post some random rambling about 'Flash Player'?! WTF? Also - this is supposed to be 'support forum' so I posted there. Is your "top 10 contributor" only role to only point people to some unknown discourse Fx board? fun...

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Sorry, Firefox doesn't have a feature such as that.

If you open the Addons Manager > Extensions and then extension-by-extension use the More button, the Version number appears at the top and at the bottom Last Updated does appear.

In the past I do recall having a few extensions which kept track of add-on updates and would display that information in the Add-on Manager. Plus I recall seeing updated extensions appearing in separate, temporary category (like Updated Extensions) below the Plugins category when the Add-ons Manager was opened; next time Firefox was launched that information was not shown. As far as displaying the previous version, that wasn't a feature provided by the extension that I was using.


Currently, add-on update notification and description of the changes / enhancements is an option which is available for add-on developers to use. Few developers take advantage of that optional feature from what I have seen with Quantum. I have one extension installed that uses that feature; but it seems to show up when that extension hasn't been updated, like maybe every 10 days or so. I have looked to the AMO website and found that it was an incorrect notification; that extension hadn't been updated in some time.


Overall this is what I see happening with extension updates when the developers uses that feature. When Firefox is first launched each day it polls the Add-ons server to look for updates; when an update is found it is automatically installed. Once a day and that's it. Later in the day launches Firefox doesn't look for any updates; neither Add-on nor program updates checks. That notification involves a new Tab, which is opened with the internal URI that begins with moz-extension:// to display the information the add-on developer built into the extension. Hopefully that information includes a description of new or changed features and Bug fixes,


You can make a request for features to be added to Firefox via Help > Submit Feedback... from inside Firefox or use this page. https://qsurvey.mozilla.com/s3/FirefoxInput/

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Chosen Solution

A long, long time ago, I set Firefox to ask me before installing any updates, and before installing any extension updates. With those settings:

  • When a Firefox update is available, Firefox drops a message from the menu button asking if you want to download it.
  • A new category appears in the left column of the Add-ons page for Available Updates. That panel lists which extensions have updates -- some authors provide a list of changes -- and you can make choices about which ones to update and which ones not to update.

Why not try that for a few weeks and see whether you like it?

To set that up:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button promising to be careful or accepting the risk.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste updat and pause while the list is filtered

(3) Double-click the app.update.auto preference to switch the value from true to false

(4) If the app.update.enabled preference is bolded and "modified" or "user set" to false, double-click it to restore the default value of true (this is necessary for Firefox to check for available updates)

(5) Double-click the extensions.update.autoUpdateDefault preference to switch the value from true to false

(6) If the extensions.update.enabled preference is bolded and "modified" or "user set" to false, double-click it to restore the default value of true (this is necessary for Firefox to check for available extension updates)

I'm not sure change #3 is needed to change how extension updates work, but since I want #3 set that way, I have not tested without it.

Edit: Added #6.

Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

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Thank you @the-edmeister - this is very extensive and… I know all about it (how to check version, that some extensions shows update page et al) however this is my issue with it - it's very un-handy to know what's happening with the browser. And I was looking for something that would be more helpful.

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@jscher2000 - thank you! You've hit the nail with it! While it doesn't completely solve my issue it's veeeery close to :-)