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Firefox Updates

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Under the category General Updates, can you please explain to me what this mean: Use a background service to install updates

Not really knowing how this effects my OS, I was wondering if it effects Microsoft OS and its updates and installation. I have not been able to install Windows 10 latest update for 2/9

Thank you, Rhonda

Under the category General Updates, can you please explain to me what this mean: Use a background service to install updates Not really knowing how this effects my OS, I was wondering if it effects Microsoft OS and its updates and installation. I have not been able to install Windows 10 latest update for 2/9 Thank you, Rhonda

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Hi Rhonda, Firefox normally runs with reduced (non-Administrator) privileges to limit the potential damage an attack page could do to your system. Installing updates usually requires higher privileges, so that is what the background service is used for. If you disable the service, Windows may show a system prompt for permission to install updates, as described in this article: What is the Mozilla Maintenance Service?

It's also possible you won't get that dialog and Firefox might tell you it can't update and say you should download a new installer.

I think you'll be fine either way, but using the background service is a bit more convenient.

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Chosen Solution

Hi Rhonda, Firefox normally runs with reduced (non-Administrator) privileges to limit the potential damage an attack page could do to your system. Installing updates usually requires higher privileges, so that is what the background service is used for. If you disable the service, Windows may show a system prompt for permission to install updates, as described in this article: What is the Mozilla Maintenance Service?

It's also possible you won't get that dialog and Firefox might tell you it can't update and say you should download a new installer.

I think you'll be fine either way, but using the background service is a bit more convenient.