Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Build instructions for old release of firefox (after firefox3.5, like firefox4.0/5.0/6.0/...)

  • 7 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by langwi158

more options

Dear Community

I need to build some old releases of firefox on a linux box (after firefox3.5, like firefox4.0, firefox5.0, and so on). However, the firefox build instructions on the mozillar website ( https://firefox-source-docs.mozilla.org/setup/linux_build.html ) is for the latest firefox versions.

There is a page about "Obsolete Build Caveats and Tips" (https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Developer_guide/Introduction/Obsolete_Build_Caveats_and_Tips). But that is not a full build instructions.

Can anyone give some hints on this? ( like where I can find the build instructions for old firefox release? Or does mozilla has any archived docs for old releases of firefox? )

Thanks a lot. Any response is welcome, and I highly appreciate your time and help.

Dear Community I need to build some old releases of firefox on a linux box (after firefox3.5, like firefox4.0, firefox5.0, and so on). However, the firefox build instructions on the mozillar website ( https://firefox-source-docs.mozilla.org/setup/linux_build.html ) is for the latest firefox versions. There is a page about "Obsolete Build Caveats and Tips" (https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Developer_guide/Introduction/Obsolete_Build_Caveats_and_Tips). But that is not a full build instructions. Can anyone give some hints on this? ( like where I can find the build instructions for old firefox release? Or does mozilla has any archived docs for old releases of firefox? ) Thanks a lot. Any response is welcome, and I highly appreciate your time and help.

All Replies (7)

more options

Does this help?

Install Older Version Of Firefox {web link}
Be sure to read everything here

If you still want to downgrade, look under; I still want to downgrade
Click the Directory of other versions and languages link
Look for the directory of the version that you want
But, remember that old versions may have security issues

You should also check out
Firefox; Extended Support Release {web link}
ESR Notes
System Requirements

more options

Have you ever used the Wayback Machine at archive. org? You can look up a recent URL to see what used to be there. Please donate to help support the costs of maintaining the old pages.

more options
more options

Can't you use the Firefox versions from the Mozilla servers ?

Keep in mind that these older version require older library versions that aren't included in current Linux distributions, so you would need an older Linux distribution as well.

more options

FredMcD said

Does this help? Install Older Version Of Firefox {web link}
Be sure to read everything here If you still want to downgrade, look under; I still want to downgrade
Click the Directory of other versions and languages link
Look for the directory of the version that you want
But, remember that old versions may have security issues You should also check out
Firefox; Extended Support Release {web link}
ESR Notes
System Requirements

Hi, FredMcD~ Thank you! I appreciate your quick response. The link you shared does direct me to the old releases of firefox and provide various download choices of firefox old releases. Just double checked the README/INSTALL/HELP documents in the source code folders (firefox4.0, firefox5.0, firefox6.0). But seems like the build instructions is not provided in the README/INSTALL/HELP documents within the source code folders.

Because I probably need to customize some build parameters, probably finding the previous build instructions for the old firefox releases is still in need.

If there is any further information, I am happy to discuss more. Thanks a lot, and your help is highly appreciated~

more options

the-edmeister said

You could look here too: (two link addresses)

Thanks a lot, the-edmeister. I appreciate the links you shared~ Will take a though look on these archives.

more options

cor-el said

Can't you use the Firefox versions from the Mozilla servers ?
  • the shared link*
Keep in mind that these older version require older library versions that aren't included in current Linux distributions, so you would need an older Linux distribution as well.
  • the shared line*

Thanks, cor-el. Your answers is highly appreciated! I will try these already-compiled installers on some old linux boxes(probably these well compiled version has a high compilation optimization level, which may bring some difficulties on what I am going to do) Thanks a lot!