How are you disabling the automatic Firefox updates? The exact procedure that you used?

I recommend the setting:

"Check for updates but let you choose to install them"

Hi...thanks for the replies!

I have opened the Firefox browser, selected Options from the toolbar, selected General, under Firefox Updates selected "Check for updates but let you choose to install them". I then performed a "Restore" on my PC to three weeks ago, opened Firefox to ensure that the "Check for updates but let you choose to install them" was still turned on, and then, within an hour, it had updated to the newer version on its own.

I restored again with the same results several times over this past week, with the longest period of time logged on without it arbitrarily updating to the newest version at about 5 hours.

I then repeated the steps above, but selected "Never check for updates", with the identical results of updating on its own without my permission.

I have tried to submit feedback to Firefox but was instead directed to the community blog, where I see that I am not the only one facing this same dilemma.

When you did the 'restore' the preference file may also have been restored.

First, Type about:preferences#advanced<enter> in the address bar. Under Advanced, Select Update.

[v56+] Type about:preferences#general<enter> in the address bar. Select Update.

Select Never Check For Updates.

Also turn off Use a background service to install updates

jscher2000 said

I recommend the setting: "Check for updates but let you choose to install them"

I disagree. IMO, best to use Never check for updates ...

I take this back - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1189387#answer-1037547 the screenshot there proved this wrong, or outdated information - I will eat my hat: If the user "gets busy" as soon as Firefox is launched, it is quite possible that merely using the mouse or the keyboard (like one click is all it takes) within the few minutes during the first launch of each day (which is when Firefox checks for the availability of an update) - it is possible the notification window can end up behind the main browser window and not bee seen by the user. 60 seconds is all Firefox will wait for the user to respond before going ahead and downloading the update.

Shouldn't be an issue with 2nd or subsequent Firefox launches for each day, because Firefox only "checks" once a day, at in my experience.

And keep in mind that if the user runs more than one Profile the updates pref needs to be set in each Profiles. I have learned the "hard way" - repeatedly - when creating a new Profile and forgetting to drop my custom user.js file in the new Profile; and then getting an unexpected update. I keep every pref that I usually would change in about:config - 23 prefs - in a user.js to speed up the creation of a new Profile and so I don't forget to change a pref - or have to wrack my brain with each new Profile and remember which prefs I usually change. Yep, I am of that age ...

I think the presentation in Firefox 56 is a little more manageable than the old one. (Screenshot attached.)

FredMcD said

When you did the 'restore' the preference file may also have been restored. First, Type about:preferences#advanced<enter> in the address bar. Under Advanced, Select Update. [v56+] Type about:preferences#general<enter> in the address bar. Select Update. Select Never Check For Updates. Also turn off Use a background service to install updates

Thanks Fred...I have already addressed this by checking after the restore to ensure that the settings are the same as I had left them, and they are. In the options. I did do it again just about an hour ago, and also turned off the "Use a background service to install updates", so I will see if it updates or not over the nest few hours.

jscher2000 said

I think the presentation in Firefox 56 is a little more manageable than the old one. (Screenshot attached.)

I agree, that is a lot better than with earlier versions.