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Lolu chungechunge lwabekwa kunqolobane. Uyacelwa ubuze umbuzo omusha uma udinga usizo.

How can I reverse update and return to earlier version

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This was my original question that has now been archived. "Today is November 14th and I allowed The download of the promised new and improved Firefox. I HATE IT ALREADY. I have lost 75% of my add-ons. I have lost the extra toolbars where just one extra positionable toolbar would help. There is hardly any options in customizing. I checked the help section where it was suggested it wasn't safe to go back so is it just a case of wait and see if the older add-ons are updated or what. It has been rendered impossible for me to use this for everyday use and I did prefer Firefox over everybody else. "

I received a few different solutions but after trying it for a couple of weeks I decided to wait for updates, that haven't materialized, so now I want to go back. I was given conflicting advice from 'Don't do it' to how to.

I am 70 years old and not completely computer literate and this scares me a little. I'm afraid of losing my add-ons and bookmarks. Could somebody please describe the steps I need to take in plain English. I did get this help last time but it was just gobble-gook to me. Thank you.

This was my original question that has now been archived. "Today is November 14th and I allowed The download of the promised new and improved Firefox. I HATE IT ALREADY. I have lost 75% of my add-ons. I have lost the extra toolbars where just one extra positionable toolbar would help. There is hardly any options in customizing. I checked the help section where it was suggested it wasn't safe to go back so is it just a case of wait and see if the older add-ons are updated or what. It has been rendered impossible for me to use this for everyday use and I did prefer Firefox over everybody else. " I received a few different solutions but after trying it for a couple of weeks I decided to wait for updates, that haven't materialized, so now I want to go back. I was given conflicting advice from 'Don't do it' to how to. I am 70 years old and not completely computer literate and this scares me a little. I'm afraid of losing my add-ons and bookmarks. Could somebody please describe the steps I need to take in plain English. I did get this help last time but it was just gobble-gook to me. Thank you.

All Replies (7)

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Hi, it depends on if you want to run a outdated browser that does not have security patches for something such as : https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/3023893/opera-mozilla-vivaldi-and-more-rush-to-patch-spectre-and-meltdown-security-holes

So is there a reason you want to go back after you have been using Quantum now for 6mos ? Everyone then gave you great information including myself : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1220792

Note you are at risk of profile corruption and loss of info, backup :

There is no guarantee that session or history or passwords will not be lost.

I have no information as to if you are 64bit or 32 bit so please choose the correct one : https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/56.0.2/ Uninstall Firefox 60. Install 56.0.2 custom install and choose not to install the Maintenance Service. If it installs uninstall it.

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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Info for 60 on Toolbars : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/customize-firefox-controls-buttons-and-toolbars

You can get both of the Menu Bar and The Bookmarks Toolbar back. You can customize Firefox Quantum in over 256 million ways with userChrome : https://www.howtogeek.com/334716/how-to-customize-firefoxs-user-interface-with-userchrome.css/

Just have to ask what you would like to do.

Okulungisiwe ngu Shadow110

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Pkshadow said

Hi, it depends on if you want to run a outdated browser that does not have security patches for something such as : https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/3023893/opera-mozilla-vivaldi-and-more-rush-to-patch-spectre-and-meltdown-security-holes So is there a reason you want to go back after you have been using Quantum now for 6mos ? Everyone then gave you great information including myself : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1220792 Note you are at risk of profile corruption and loss of info, backup : There is no guarantee that session or history or passwords will not be lost. I have no information as to if you are 64bit or 32 bit so please choose the correct one : https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/56.0.2/ Uninstall Firefox 60. Install 56.0.2 custom install and choose not to install the Maintenance Service. If it installs uninstall it. Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

Information helpful but still doesn't explain how to.

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TS, you need complete 4 steps: import needed data from browser, install previous version, export data to browser, lauch a previous version with prefix to create and choice profile. What is question?

Without a new profile folder the previos versions (under 55) of Firefox will not work!

Okulungisiwe ngu PavelkoT

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PavelkoT said

TS, you need complete 4 steps: import needed data from browser, install previous version, export data to browser, lauch a previous version with prefix to create and choice profile. What is question? Without a new profile folder the previos versions (under 55) of Firefox will not work!

I may be dumb but I still don't see the 4 steps. I did say I'm 70 years old and don't understand inner workings of computer programs. I need to be lead by the hand every step of the way. Thanks anyrate.

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dexrek, I have written the steps. You can complete all right, using Google and links from other contributor above. There are articles which describes each step in details and Google displays their.

You may start from installation of older version and complete export/import later.

https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/ - select any version (I recommend 52 ESR), then win64 folder, if there is not, select win32, it will work too. In installation window, change end of path for Firefox on .../Program Files/Browsers/Mozilla Firefox *version number* *ESR text, if ESR* (example: Mozilla Firefox 52 ESR)

Okulungisiwe ngu PavelkoT

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dexrek said

I received a few different solutions but after trying it for a couple of weeks I decided to wait for updates, that haven't materialized, so now I want to go back. I was given conflicting advice from 'Don't do it' to how to. I am 70 years old and not completely computer literate and this scares me a little. I'm afraid of losing my add-ons and bookmarks. Could somebody please describe the steps I need to take in plain English. I did get this help last time but it was just gobble-gook to me. Thank you.

Sorry that you were not able to follow those suggestions 7 months ago. If you are unable to follow the many (dozen? or hundreds") of support threads that were started about "go back" over the past 7 months. how would that be different now?

With the Firefox 52 ESR version (the only rational "go back" option) nearing the end of its life (Firefox 60 ESR came out 4 weeks ago) it has become harder over the last 3 versions (58, 59, 60) to "go back" to the older 52 ESR version without losing Firefox user data. And support for 52 ESR will end on Sept 5th. It's time to get used to the future, not "go back" as "things" aren't going to change to your expectations about Firefox.

The facts are that Firefox has been changed, most of the older extensions are just not available for Quantum Firefox 57 & newer any longer. Plus most of the extensions which were re-written for the new WebExtensions format just don't work the same due to features that are longer allowed or just not possible to duplicate in the WE format.


As far as your concern about losing your bookmarks, it is quite easy to backup your bookmarks. The exported HTML backup file can be used in almost any web browser out there, including Quantum Firefox, so that will eliminate that issue.

Try thinking of this situation as learning to use a new web browser, with many similarities to what you have used it the past but with fewer add-ons available. And probably still more ability to customize than any other web browser that has ever been created. We will be happy to help you find suitable WebExtensions to get the features added to Firefox that feel are necessary; but ask for help rather than continuing to complain about what has happened in the past. All of us mourn the passing of the Firefox that we grew to love over the years, but you need to get beyond the loss.

As far as "age" goes, I am 67 yo and at least two other regular support contributors here (us "helpers") that I "know" are in their mid-60's too.