Update to Firefox 38 but not lose all my stuff and go back to 35?
REALLY hesitate to update, so many issues people have, i'm saving profile to flash drive, but pretty sure FF won't let me go back to my current 35 version ( which works just fine) yet due to security I'm considering this update. Is it tremendously different? does it change the whole layout? Will there be issues getting websites to work, lack of add on's being able to continue using, losing bookmarks etc? I worked hard to get my layout and add ons and bookmarks exactly as they are and really fear losing them, and then spending (as in past) hours and hours trying to figure out what is making stuff not work on firefox, and trying to regroup. Also, it is difficult to find old versions of FF that I trust to be downloaded. ( hate hate hate the whole advice always given of START IN SAFEMODE, its useless and time consuming) so hoping folks have found some work arounds etc for any new issues ( or crashes eegads) of the newest version.
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Yes it is possible to run old versions of Firefox, I often do. It is not however wise unless you are prepared to take risks with your data and computer. Or maybe use a VM &/or have well rehearsed baremetal recovery procedures. Well done. Backing up your profile is a very sensible precaution.
Official old versions are easily available.
- See (Don't) Install an older version of Firefox
Firefox's safemode is far from useless and time consuming. It is a very quick and simple TEMPORARY reversible TROUBLESHOOTING method.
Firefox 29 was the one with big controversial UI changes. Hopefully you will not have such issues with an upgrade from Fx35 to Fx38
Reports of problems may be exaggerated. People post and blog about problems, but it's not news to say it works as normal.
Thank you, I am however, wondering if there are known issues and in particular which add on's won't work anymore with 38? I use yahoo and its toolbar as my home page and i have tons of bookmarks ( I use side bar) hope I won't be losing that or my header with all my customized icons, do you know of others with those issues with 38? If all of this can remain same, then I am ready to bite the bullet and try for the 38.
Users have reported that RealDownloader doesn't work and that Real wants you to switch to their new program (the name escapes me).
Between Firefox 35 and Firefox 38:
- Standards have been raised for secure connections, so you may see some new certificate errors on sites that are not up-to-date.
- The Options dialog changed from a pop-up to a page that displays in a tab.
One reason that people sometimes lose settings and add-ons in an update is that they used the Refresh feature. Firefox may display a message that it is starting slowly and you can speed it up by restoring some default settings. Since you want to minimize changes, do NOT click that button!
IIRC Yahoo was an issue, not sure whether it is still I will try to look into that and get back. Its probably a good idea to prepare to migrate away from Yahoos bookmarks anyhow. Google had bookmarks and dropped them years ago.
By the header I guess you are talking about the toolbar space at the top. That should still be much the same.
You did not list your addons, but you can check yourself if they are listed as compatible.
- https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ Filter options are avilable
No cast iron guarantee they will work but at least you can look at reviews and see their listed compatability.
You obviously take time customise and understand Firefox. Do a custom install of Fx38 into an alternative location instead of over the top of your current version. Make sure you create a separate profile for it. You could even make yet another copy of your current profile and use that.