how to download and install an older version of Firefox
I currently am running FF vers. 109.0.1 64 bit on Win 10 pro. I don't like what I've been reading about the latest update, my machines are old and I'm not ready to upgrade so I don't want an even more overloaded/uses up more CPU, etc., version of Firefox. I don't have complex needs in a browser, so some of the "upgrades" haven't been useful for me or have made using FF more difficult.
I found a list of what I guess are older versions but no information was provided on how to choose a version of say v. 110, to make sure it's the right one for my laptop and/desktop (or the one that will work w/the fewest problems) that it's in English, etc. My impression is that FF is mostly worked on by people who have a variety of needs & interests so increasing sophistication is what they want and that's fine, I'd like to keep using FF w/my current machines, w/as simple a version ,ie., useful for an unsophisticated user. Is that possible? If so, I'd like to upgrade to 110 64 bit or perhaps 111 64 bit unless either or both had huge security holes, etc and many users found they weren't very functional. I do have security software.
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Here's the FAQ but remember there is a Warning that doing so can cause unforeseen problems.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-older-version-firefox
I found that entry, and (1) I'm not "downgrading" I just don't want to install the latest update, partly because I have no way (because FF doesn't provide that information) of knowing; (a) if to work well it requires a newer machine then either or mine, i.e. more recent CPU, more RAM, whatever, and so won't run well on my laptop or desktop and/or (b) if it has features I'll never use/don't want/won't be able to turn off, etc. (2) I am willing to upgrade, I just don't want to upgrade to the latest version because from what I've seen after reviewing some of the discussion forums, some users are having substantial problelms with it and most of the attention of developers seems to go towards installing new stuff, enabling certain new tech, etc., rather then making it easy to use by everyone and to turn off features less sophisticated users don't want or need when using FF. It'd be great if FF did a little of what it used to do--which was to provide information understandable by general users (i.e., not those capable of contributing ot development) of new features so that people could decide if they want to upgrade for that reason.
One site I have to use has informed me that soon it won't support the current version of FF that I have, so unless I switch browsers, I have to upgrade.
The directory provided by the FAQ linked to just has a list of, I guess, older versions. You can't tell really what that upgrade is nor could I click on any of the versions listed and download them. So it was of no use.
"The directory provided by the FAQ linked to just has a list of, I guess, older versions. You can't tell really what that upgrade is nor could I click on any of the versions listed and download them. So it was of no use." And it's an example of how FF's FAQs doesn't provide useful assistance for people who aren't particularly knowledgeable.
If by directory you mean https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/
It is rather simple to use. Just either manual search or use the Findbar in Firefox to search for the version number you want. Then hover over the version folder link and left-click on it. Then click on the OS folder you want (likely Win64) and then click on the language folder you want (say en-US, en-CA, En-GB) then download the version .exe
I take it you were expecting Mozilla to provide a website that hand held you through each step on downloading what older Firefox version, OS, and language you wanted.
As noted in the KB article
If you still want to downgrade, you can visit Mozilla's directory of older Firefox versions using the links below. Please note, however, that using older versions can make Firefox insecure and more vulnerable to attacks and scams. We recommend that you always use the newest version of Firefox. Warning: Older Firefox versions pose a significant security risk.
Newer versions have security fixes that the older versions do not have as you can see in https://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/firefox/
Modified by James
Thank you for your condescending answer. Just what didn't you understand when I wrote "unsophisticated user"? Are you able to read well enough to understand that yes, I did ask for step by step instructions. I had found the page you linked to, but didn't understand just what I'd be downloading because of how the versions are noted. Excuse me for not being familiar with the notation used, I hadn't realized that Mozilla's claim to be "for everyone" was just so much puffery (if you're familiar with that term, if not then I'll let you figure it out or search for the meaning since you're clearly so much better informed, et al, then I am) and anyone who's not at your level or above should just shut up & update.
It may be that updates have important security updates, if that's ALL they were, I'd be updating regularly. But that's not the case, in reality, I've ended up with alot of features that I don't want, need or use, but that do take up memory, etc. Or make my computers work slower, which II don't find desirable, and/or may require me to upgrade software I must use. I'm not impressed with having to immediately makes changes like stop Firefox from making its version of Adobe the default, when I own a version of Adobe I'd far rather use and yes that's already happened once w/one of the updates. Maybe some users don't like having Mozilla, its volunteers, etc.l, make those kinds of decisions for them and do so w/out any notice of that intent in release notes.