turn off update message after firefox 62
As of about firefox 63, it will no longer be possible to prevent firefox from checking for updates as the preference (option) to do so is being removed. In the past, it was simply a matter of setting the option to never check for updates. This is important in an organization as you want everyone to be at the same level. In such organizations, the latest firefox would be obtained once, checked out, then rolled out to the organization from it's support system team/person. Is there going to be a way to prevent the message "an update is available, please install?"
Chosen solution
also refer to the release notes at https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/63.0beta/releasenotes/ :
Never check for updates option removed from about:preferences. If a substitute is needed, we recommend using the DisableAppUpdate enterprise policy
https://github.com/mozilla/policy-templates/blob/master/README.md
(fixed broken link - c)
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Chosen Solution
also refer to the release notes at https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/63.0beta/releasenotes/ :
Never check for updates option removed from about:preferences. If a substitute is needed, we recommend using the DisableAppUpdate enterprise policy
https://github.com/mozilla/policy-templates/blob/master/README.md
(fixed broken link - c)
Modified by cor-el
FFus3r said
see this page:
It's the update to firefox itself that I wish to disable - the option is currently available - going in FF63
The only way to disable updates in via a policies.json file like posted above.
Note that Firefox will show a banner on the Options/Preferences page if you use a policies.json file.
See also:
- Bug 1420514 - Remove or hide the update features in the preferences
(please do not comment in bug reports
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/page.cgi?id=etiquette.html)
Modified by cor-el
That policy stuff is too much to read for a simple thing like disabling updates, so I found an easier way: go to C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox (or Program Files (x86), if using the 32-bit version) and open the update-settings.ini* with Notepad++. Remove the part after the = symbol (firefox-mozilla-release) and save it. Here you go - now Firefox will never update again.
- It's better if you backup the original file somewhere, in case some day in the future you decide you wanna let the browser update.
And if that's not enough for you, you can always do the ultimate blocking: Windows Firewall, Advanced Settings, add rules for inbound and outbound connections to block the updater.exe located in C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox.
Or, as a friend of mine suggested, simply delete the updater.exe. Without it the browser won't be able to update, no matter how hard it tries.
Bottom line is - it doesn't matter that Mozilla decided to go with Microsoft's policy to enforce updates on the users, there's always a way to disable updates, one just has to be persistent in trying.
Modified by Valso