Version 94.0.1 enforced updates and menu settings
Few days ago, I was going to update my browser to 94.0.1 when I decided to check first "what's new".
To my shock and horror, I read: "On Windows, there will now be fewer interruptions because Firefox won’t prompt you for updates. Instead, a background agent will download and install updates even if Firefox is closed".
Seriously?... this is not an "improvement". This is just a nice way to say "we are taking over the control of Firefox updates and remove all user choice in this regard".
What is the rationale for this change?
I don't allow any programs to download and install to my PC without my knowledge and permission (including Windows Updates and even Wordpress and plugin updates on my website). I decide if and when anything gets updated to avoid crashes and other computer issues, as well as to prevent installation of something I simply don't want. This includes browser updates.
Secondly, I finally managed to reduce the space between bookmark lines in menus with a workaround in the about: settings after months of struggling with the settings created for iphone users which are unworkable on my PC (the only device I ever use the browser on).
Could someone in the know confirm please that (1) this workaround will continue to work in 94.0.1 (as the release notes are suspiciously silent on this) and (2) that this option will be permanently reinstated in the browser settings with the next update.
I am not updating my browser until I get more information about the issues I have raised, using Chrome in the meantime and...indefinitely.
thanks
Solução escolhida
I agree that the Firefox 94.0 release notes about the background update agent wasn't clear enough that the change did not remove the option to prevent automatic updates.
On your other question: Do you mean line spacing in the Bookmarks toolbar menu? See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/forums/contributors/715316#post-82096 which has this screenshot:
The current workaround is to set the browser.compactmode.show preference to true in about:config and then customize the Density setting to Compact (not supported). See Compact mode workaround in Firefox for details. This workaround is still in effect in 94.0.1 (I use it myself)
If you have a different question it would be better to ask a new support question.
Ler esta resposta no contexto 👍 1Todas as respostas (6)
Hi quantum888, In version 94.0 it's actually an Option
Modificado por user104147805413306348376805769878442569366 a
Hi RobertJ
Sorry for the delay, I didn't get your reply via email for some reason.
I think you misunderstood my question.
It's about 94.0.1 change which apparently does not have the option to "Check for updates but let me choose to install them"- which I have currently selected in 94.0.
The What's new link in Firefox Update settings is for the current version you have installed. The information you quoted, "On Windows, there will now be fewer interruptions because Firefox won’t prompt you for updates. Instead, a background agent will download and install updates even if Firefox is closed." is from the Firefox 94.0 release notes, https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/94.0/releasenotes/
This behavior can be changed in Firefox Settings. Firefox 94.0.1 still allows you to turn off automatic updates so that Firefox checks for updates but asks you before installing them. It also lets you prevent Firefox from updating when it is not running by unchecking that option, as shown here in Firefox 94.0.1 settings on my Windows computer:
The image "Fx94UpdateSettings-Win" does not exist.
Related KB article: Enable background updates on Firefox for Windows when Firefox is not running
'On why developers wanted to set Firefox to update in the background, even when it is not open, this is from https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1343669#c19 (quote)'Until now, Firefox has only downloaded and installed updates when the user runs it. This means that users that use Firefox infrequently are often out-of-date. It also means that if they open Firefox again in response to a marketing campaign, they may not immediately get the features advertised. Background Update aims to address this problem by allowing updates to be downloaded and installed, even when the user doesn't run Firefox.
Modificado por AliceWyman a
Hi AliceWyman
Well thank you so much for this explanation.
It's unfortunate that the release notes don't include it.
When one thing is linked to another, and you change that one thing, it stands to reason that the advisory should reference that other linked thing (or things) to make it clear whether they are affected or not.
Otherwise, confusion arises quite necessarily.
Thanks again. Would you also be able to address my second question about the line spacing in the bookmark menu? is the current workaround maintained in 94.0.1 ?
Solução escolhida
I agree that the Firefox 94.0 release notes about the background update agent wasn't clear enough that the change did not remove the option to prevent automatic updates.
On your other question: Do you mean line spacing in the Bookmarks toolbar menu? See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/forums/contributors/715316#post-82096 which has this screenshot:
The current workaround is to set the browser.compactmode.show preference to true in about:config and then customize the Density setting to Compact (not supported). See Compact mode workaround in Firefox for details. This workaround is still in effect in 94.0.1 (I use it myself)
If you have a different question it would be better to ask a new support question.
thank you - yes, that's what I mean.
thanks for the confirmation that this workaround is still active.
sure, I will keep topics separate sorry :-)