How to fix legacy add-ons after auto update to firefox v57.0
My firefox recently auto updated to v57.0 and has stopped using some vital add-ons, the most important of these is TabGroups v2.1.4 by Quicksaver (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/tab-groups-panorama/).
I can't emphasise how important this is. I have probably hundreds of links open in this add-on. Everything from university work to job search links. Recovering that data is of the highest importance.
I understand there are a number of options. Contact Developer - I'd like to contact him but his social media is dead, his website down and no way to message him via the add-ons platform.
Find A Replacement - I'm happy to try other add-ons, but will a replacement get my old tab groups back?
The "find a replacement" feature suggests these. 1) New Tab Override (WebExtension). 2) Tree Style Tab. 3) Firefox Multi-Account Containers. 4) Tab Auto Refresh. 5) Tile Tabs WE. However, I am unconvinced they have the same functionality as my old add-on, TabGroups.
the mozilla support forum recommends Tab Group Switch by TK (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/tab-group-switch/) However, in the about section of this add-on the developer states "Warning: To those looking for a replacement for Tab Groups by Quicksaver (or some other similar tab grouping add-on), this add-on is not meant to be an equivalent replacement for it and differs considerably."
Downgrade FireFox - as far as I understand it, if the browser is downgraded to an older version, the old add-ons will become compatible again. I don't know how accurate that is, I'm not a developer and only know a little bit about computers.
The mozilla support forum suggested to use Firefox ESR 52 (https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/10/26/helping-find-compatible-extensions/). however, this is for organisations; does it even apply to personal use? also same question as above, is this actually going to bring back my tabgroups or just install another version of firefox?
I was thinking of doing it manually (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-older-version-of-firefox). However, I have concerns about how it would work? and can't find anything to take me through the process.
Note: the downgrading option is only temporary, once I have everything back in order I'll be happy to use the new Firefox Quantum.
Piece of advice from my end, disable auto update, and then do it manually every couple of weeks. Keep out any unwanted changes that will mess up your data. Click the menu button, and choose Options. In the General panel, go to the Firefox Updates section.
Thanks very much for reading such a large post. I look forward to what y'all have to say.
All Replies (6)
If those add-ons are essential to you, then you will probably need to downgrade to Firefox 52 ESR (get it here: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/all/) but be aware that FF 52 will be much slower than Firefox Quantum.
Hello Thanks for your reply. Can I just clarify. Will the ESR, once installed, recover the TabGroups data that was in normal FireFox prior to the auto update to v57 (Quantum)?
BirchBehav said
Hello Thanks for your reply. Can I just clarify. Will the ESR, once installed, recover the TabGroups data that was in normal FireFox prior to the auto update to v57 (Quantum)?
Yes, that should work then again.
Fwiw, I haven't noticed any speed difference with the old and new version of Firefox.
There are ways to fix that. Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.
A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?
https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-slow-how-make-it-faster
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-uses-too-many-cpu-resources-how-fix
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-uses-too-much-memory-ram
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-hangs-or-not-responding
Web Extensions are evolving and many of them are changing to be compatible with the new Firefox 57. Tracking them here: http://bit.ly/2j0Anlj. Another URL in article below : https://www.howtogeek.com/333230/why-firefox-had-to-kill-your-favorite-extension/
How about looking at these 2 URL's first : https://www.howtogeek.com/333110/how-to-customize-firefox-quantum-and-remove-the-white-space-around-the-title-bar/ and The name is not descriptive enough : https://www.howtogeek.com/332449/whats-new-in-firefox-quantum/
This the best way to uninstall Firefox. Then Delete the Mozilla Firefox Folders in C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(x86) Then restart system. Then run Windows Disk Cleanup. Then run it again and click the button that says Cleanup System Files. Note: your Firefox Profile is saved. But you should make a back up before you do : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
Going back : unfortunately 56.0.2 is no longer safe to use for every day use, but 52.5.0 ESR is! It will continue to get security updates until May 2018, and you can download and install it from this page: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/all/ Note : Legacy Extensions will be deleted or removed in any version update after May 2018.
Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.
I don't think it is broken and I understand why mozilla had to modernize, I just think this whole process could have gone a lot smoother.
It sounds like v52.5.0 ESR is the better option. Gives me time to change how I use firefox and get replacement ad-ons, before moving to Quantum.
As I install ESR, the wizard puts it, by default, in the same location as the current one. "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\" This will overwrite the Quantum, right?
I kinda don't want to do that, just precautionary. I want to be satisfied that I have recovered the data first.
So how can I install ESR alongside Quantum? Is it a simple case of installing it into a new folder "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox2\"?
Thanks.
Problem here with legacy add-ons is most aren't money maker that is why they don't update and some will probably never update. FF doesn't pay them to update nor help them with R&D to update so if one thinks this will happen sooner then later is drinking a whole lot of Koolaid here. If a legacy add-on was a security issue then Mozilla should call it out but instead it breaks or disable it. That is no way to really inspire confidence to use FF57 or later. As far as I am concern FF56.0.2 work and I have no issue as I don't go to dark nets nor click on phishing links. I also had create my own "hosts" edit that blocks popups and adware so any sites that uses it never shows up. But how FF57 was released and failure to acknowledge it broke alot of Add-Ons but offer "NO" real solution to restore them back but only saying to update. I have real cynicism that they will really admit they destroyed FF reputation forever with FF57 debacle. It only take one spectacular fail to ruin it. Now it is to alternative FF version is where I will be going. What they should do is fix the Add-on legacy and permit them to work and let the USER decide this for themselves not think they know better what the user needs. A NEW release of FF57.0.1 that restores and removes this Policing of add-ons and Extensions and Plugins will allow the USERs themselves to decide what they want.
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