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How do i disable Firefox from updating completely?

  • 12 réponses
  • 1 a ce problème
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  • Dernière réponse par FireFawks

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I know that i can disable it from updating in the settings, but the thing is that I'm constantly creating new Firefox profiles, and it tries to update it right away as soon as i open the newly created profile.

Is there any way that i can block it from trying to check for updates? perhaps using the Firewall or anything like that?

I know that i can disable it from updating in the settings, but the thing is that I'm constantly creating new Firefox profiles, and it tries to update it right away as soon as i open the newly created profile. Is there any way that i can block it from trying to check for updates? perhaps using the Firewall or anything like that?

Toutes les réponses (12)

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It would be interesting to know why you need to use an unsafe insecure version of Firefox. Is it particular software or a particular website that is a problem. Do you use the old Firefox versions on the internet or within a private LAN ?

Not sure why Firefox will update when you create a new profile. So just created one using the Profile Manger while writing this and I note it has a first run tab. Have not got time to look into this further at the moment, but I know other machines with multiple Firefox versions and profiles do not have problems with unwanted updates.

Also look at the recent thread "Firefox is forcefully updating when configured to never update"where I posted John99 said

Hi alchemist111, I cant remember if the prefs changes prevent that. Personally if I wish to check the version I do NOT use Menu -. Help -> about Firefox Instead look at the troubleshooting page (also available by keying into the address bar about:support) That confirms the version without triggering an update even in Windows with the maintenance service. Note it is also possible to abort such updates by deleting the files before you restart. See https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox/Enterprise_deployment note to change or lock the prefs "app.update.enabled", false; "app.update.auto", false; "app.update.mode", 0; "app.update.service.enabled", false; I do not recall noticing any recent changes in update behaviour. It has triggered updates when you use the about firefox for years that is not new. Sorry I am not sure why your Firefox installs are upgrading automatically if it is not you using the about firefox. ...
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P.S. You are constantly creating profiles, are these just disposable one use profiles ?

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Yeah they are disposable, and the reason i want to disable it is because i use over 10 important extensions for me that don't work with later updates.

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I think it automatically updates Firefox because on a new profile, the "automatically install updates" is selected by default.

As soon as i close the new "disposable" profile, and open my default profile which has the option turned off, the installation of the latest update begins.

I have to reinstall everytime time, very annoying.

Modifié le par FireFawks

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Edit: Scroll down to my newer reply

Modifié le par Martin

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First of all it is probably worth you keeping an install of Firefpx that is up-to-date for normal day to day browsing including banking etc, or as an alternative when your old version fails. Use a separate profile for that from your old Firefox versions profiles.

Note you may abort updates before a restart if you know one is about to happen as explained in my quoted post.

I am not sure if any *.js file works, a user.js file would do the trick,

but I think browser.search.update may only be be the pref for the update of the search search engines.

If the profiles are disposable I was going to say it may be worth using the standalone profile manager. I have not used that recently but it used to create temporary profiles on the fly but it seems it has been deprecated.

I guess because no one got rid of the built in profile manager.

It seems odd needing Fx42. I know some like particular legacy versions.but what are the 10 or so extensions not compatible with current Releases ?

If you are using old Firefox on the internet you will no doubt be aware of the risks. When security holes are fixed it is announced and the bad guys can then target those left behind using old versions. If you are going to use an old version on the internet I suggest you consider mitigating risks by using in a VM or having will rehearsed bare metal restore procedures.

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I think that Martin was talking about doing it with a mozilla.cfg file - but "close doesn't get you a cigar". Need to use the correct file name and the correct preference.


Here's how I do it. http://kb.mozillazine.org/User.js_file

The file has to be named user.js and it has to be located in the active Profile folder. And this is the correct code for disabling updates.

// turn off application updates:
user_pref("app.update.enabled", false);

And that file needs to be put in the Profile folder before Firefox is allowed to reach the internet. 30 to 45 seconds into the "first launch" of a new Profile and Firefox is looking to the update server for availability of an update.

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Edit: Scroll once more down to another reply...

Modifié le par Martin

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Martin said

The js-file in the mentioned pref folder is a global setting, so there should be no need to do that for every new profile, as far i know. but for sure i was wrong with the settings name, sorry my bad :D this should work then pref("app.update.auto", false); pref("app.update.enabled", false); pref("app.update.silent", false); Edit: Updated my first post with the correct pref settings

What should he name that js file?

If that would work, the file name needs to be correct, otherwise Firefox won't read that file.

I am an old man, set in my ways of doing that thru a user.js file in the Profile folder. Never used a mozilla.cfg file and don't recall ever seeing any mention of using a js file for that purpose, in that location.

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Im sorry, it seems some of my settings change back anyway with and without the js file i created (i have to figure why) but the cfg file should work:

create a text file called local-settings.js with that content pref("general.config.filename", "mozilla.cfg"); and copy it to C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\defaults\pref

then create a text file called mozilla.cfg with following content: pref("app.update.auto", false); pref("app.update.enabled", false); pref("app.update.silent", false);

and copy it to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

Thanks edmeister for pointing me to the right direction!

To not confuse others i edit my older posts :D

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John99 said

First of all it is probably worth you keeping an install of Firefpx that is up-to-date for normal day to day browsing including banking etc, or as an alternative when your old version fails. Use a separate profile for that from your old Firefox versions profiles. Note you may abort updates before a restart if you know one is about to happen as explained in my quoted post. I am not sure if any *.js file works, a user.js file would do the trick, but I think browser.search.update may only be be the pref for the update of the search search engines. If the profiles are disposable I was going to say it may be worth using the standalone profile manager. I have not used that recently but it used to create temporary profiles on the fly but it seems it has been deprecated. I guess because no one got rid of the built in profile manager. It seems odd needing Fx42. I know some like particular legacy versions.but what are the 10 or so extensions not compatible with current Releases ? If you are using old Firefox on the internet you will no doubt be aware of the risks. When security holes are fixed it is announced and the bad guys can then target those left behind using old versions. If you are going to use an old version on the internet I suggest you consider mitigating risks by using in a VM or having will rehearsed bare metal restore procedures.

Thank you so much for the reply, I truly understand how risky it is, but i can't live without those extensions that i use all the time, i tried finding alternatives, they don't work as the current ones.

One of them for example is the "Mouse Gesture Redox" extension, it has some features that don't exist to others which are really important for me and i can complete tasks much quicker with it.

But i do actually use the latest version of Firefox for sensitive stuff like banking as you mentioned but on a different machine.


And the way how i use the disposable profile is i created a shortcut "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" firefox -CreateProfile TempProfile -no-remote"

Then i created a batch file to run the shortcut and then it deletes the profile when i close it.

Thanks again mate, really helpful informations.


And to Martin and the-edmeister Thank you so much guys, i will give it a shot and get back to you.

Modifié le par FireFawks

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Martin said

Im sorry, it seems some of my settings change back anyway with and without the js file i created (i have to figure why) but the cfg file should work: create a text file called local-settings.js with that content pref("general.config.filename", "mozilla.cfg"); and copy it to C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\defaults\pref then create a text file called mozilla.cfg with following content: pref("app.update.auto", false); pref("app.update.enabled", false); pref("app.update.silent", false); and copy it to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox Thanks edmeister for pointing me to the right direction! To not confuse others i edit my older posts :D
the-edmeister said
Here's how I do it. http://kb.mozillazine.org/User.js_file The file has to be named user.js and it has to be located in the active Profile folder. And this is the correct code for disabling updates.
// turn off application updates:
user_pref("app.update.enabled", false);

And that file needs to be put in the Profile folder before Firefox is allowed to reach the internet. 30 to 45 seconds into the "first launch" of a new Profile and Firefox is looking to the update server for availability of an update.


I tried your method, Martin, but after i start the profile, the selection is still on "automatically install updates" i checked in about:config, all are set to true :(


But with edmeister's method, it worked for me, the selection is on "never check for updates" and so far....no updates!


Hope it stays that way, i really appreciate it guys!