Firefox 31.6.0ESR updated to Firefox 37.0.1 -- How do I Revert?
My hard drive crashed and was replaced by a repairman who moved all the files but somehow 'updated' my Firefox 31.6.0esr to Firefox 37.0.1 (the About Firefox window shows 37 but the Update History shows last update as ESR ?!?).
This PC needs to be on the ESR channel.
How do I revert/convert/whatever back to ESR without losing the settings/add-ons/etc. for all the users?
FYI: This 'update' has broken a bunch of stuff:
- The Search Bar is now invisible. Already tried removing, re-adding, setting size, etc.
- Loading each page initiates an error message about a 'getter' and spawns new windows.
ALSO: I tried to attach an image of the issues and it kept hanging, even after creating a smaller version.
Since I can't attach the screenshots, please view them from my website: http://sosayssunny.com/Firefox_Problems_2.png (Low-Res, 163 KB) http://sosayssunny.com/Firefox_Problems.png (Full-Size, 291 KB)
Please help! (I'm already at wit's end about the hard drive crash. :-P )
Thanks!
~ Sunny (slightly overcast at the moment)
Chosen solution
First, use the refresh Firefox feature to create a backup of your user profile.
The Refresh feature (called "Reset" in older Firefox versions) can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your bookmarks, history, passwords, cookies, and other essential information.
Note: When you use this feature, you will lose any extensions, toolbar customizations, and some preferences. See the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article for more information.
To Refresh Firefox:
- Open the Troubleshooting Information page using one of these methods:
- Click the menu button
, click help 
and select Troubleshooting Information. A new tab containing your troubleshooting information should open.
- If you're unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
- Click the menu button
- At the top right corner of the page, you should see a button that says "Refresh Firefox" ("Reset Firefox" in older Firefox versions). Click on it.
- Firefox will close. After the refresh process is completed, Firefox will show a window with the information that is imported.
- Click Finish and Firefox will reopen.
Next, download Firefox ESR. Then uninstall Firefox and install Firefox ESR.
Last, follow the instructions in this article to restore your backed up profile: Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (5)
Chosen Solution
First, use the refresh Firefox feature to create a backup of your user profile.
The Refresh feature (called "Reset" in older Firefox versions) can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your bookmarks, history, passwords, cookies, and other essential information.
Note: When you use this feature, you will lose any extensions, toolbar customizations, and some preferences. See the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article for more information.
To Refresh Firefox:
- Open the Troubleshooting Information page using one of these methods:
- Click the menu button , click help and select Troubleshooting Information. A new tab containing your troubleshooting information should open.
- If you're unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
- Click the menu button
- At the top right corner of the page, you should see a button that says "Refresh Firefox" ("Reset Firefox" in older Firefox versions). Click on it.
- Firefox will close. After the refresh process is completed, Firefox will show a window with the information that is imported.
- Click Finish and Firefox will reopen.
Next, download Firefox ESR. Then uninstall Firefox and install Firefox ESR.
Last, follow the instructions in this article to restore your backed up profile: Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles
Thank you, Mark.
I followed your instructions and I am, indeed, back on the ESR channel with my bookmarks and passwords.
Unfortunately I lost all my add-ons, toolbars, and settings.
Since noone else posted a solution, I suppose this is the best outcome in this situation. I wish there were a tool to help folks like me un-upgrade.
If anyone out there is looking for a challenge, consider making tools:
A) Automate the un-upgrade procedure, especially grabbing the add-ons, settings, and toolbar customization. B) Unrelated to the problem above, make a tool that checks to see which of your add-ons will break with an upgrade so that individuals can make an informed decision whether to upgrade at that time or wait for key add-ons to be updated to the new version.
Now, back to fixing my ultra-customized browser settings. *sigh*
~ Sunny (no longer overcast)
Note that the next major Firefox Release the ESR will be based on will be Firefox 38.0
Also note that Firefox Sync will allow you to sync add-ons and some settings between browsers/installations. This can allow for a better downgrade experience. See How do I set up Firefox Sync?
For the sake of completeness, here's the right solution: backup profile, then simply install FF31 ESR. In most cases it will work totally fine. If it doesn't, read the other answers.