Can Normal Firefox and Fireofx nightly be installed on the same system without interfering with eachother?
I currently have standard Firefox Quantum installed on my Windows 10 computer, I would like to install Firefox nightly to help find and report bugs as well as get new features faster. Can I install separate versions of Firefox without one overwriting another interfering with the other?
Chosen solution
You need to be careful, but it can be done.
Each Firefox must be placed in its own Programs Folder. Also, each must have its own profile.
You can use sync to share the profile data, BUT different versions may not be able to share certain settings, add-ons . . . . So sync only passwords and bookmarks.
Download the full installers for each version you want to use. When you run the installer, select the Manual option and place each in its own programs folder (see pictures).
Note: When the installer is done, Do Not run the browser yet.
Note: Whatever version is loaded Last will be the default. Also, create the profiles before you start installing other Firefox's. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ With Windows, each Firefox must have its own batch file program to send the nessassary information into the browser when started.
Here is an example (on one line only); C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox Current\firefox.exe -no-remote -P Firefox_v_57
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Command_Line_Options
Usage: C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\firefox.exe [ options ... ] [URL] where options include: -h or -help Print this message. -v or -version Print Firefox version. -P <profile> Start with <profile>. -migration Start with migration wizard. -ProfileManager Start with ProfileManager. -no-remote Do not accept or send remote commands; implies -new-instance. -new-instance Open new instance, not a new window in running instance. (Does not work on Windows) -UILocale <locale> Start with <locale> resources as UI Locale. -safe-mode Disables extensions and themes for this session. -console Start Firefox with a debugging console. -jsconsole Open the Error console. -browser Open a browser window. -new-window <url> Open <url> in a new window. -new-tab <url> Open <url> in a new tab. -preferences Open Options dialog. -search <term> Search <term> with your default search engine. -setDefaultBrowser Set this app as the default browser.Read this answer in context 👍 1
All Replies (5)
Chosen Solution
You need to be careful, but it can be done.
Each Firefox must be placed in its own Programs Folder. Also, each must have its own profile.
You can use sync to share the profile data, BUT different versions may not be able to share certain settings, add-ons . . . . So sync only passwords and bookmarks.
Download the full installers for each version you want to use. When you run the installer, select the Manual option and place each in its own programs folder (see pictures).
Note: When the installer is done, Do Not run the browser yet.
Note: Whatever version is loaded Last will be the default. Also, create the profiles before you start installing other Firefox's. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ With Windows, each Firefox must have its own batch file program to send the nessassary information into the browser when started.
Here is an example (on one line only); C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox Current\firefox.exe -no-remote -P Firefox_v_57
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Command_Line_Options
Usage: C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\firefox.exe [ options ... ] [URL] where options include: -h or -help Print this message. -v or -version Print Firefox version. -P <profile> Start with <profile>. -migration Start with migration wizard. -ProfileManager Start with ProfileManager. -no-remote Do not accept or send remote commands; implies -new-instance. -new-instance Open new instance, not a new window in running instance. (Does not work on Windows) -UILocale <locale> Start with <locale> resources as UI Locale. -safe-mode Disables extensions and themes for this session. -console Start Firefox with a debugging console. -jsconsole Open the Error console. -browser Open a browser window. -new-window <url> Open <url> in a new window. -new-tab <url> Open <url> in a new tab. -preferences Open Options dialog. -search <term> Search <term> with your default search engine. -setDefaultBrowser Set this app as the default browser.
Modified
(see pictures)
.....
Modified
Current Nightly builds (still 68, but will soon go to 69) should use its own profile when you aren't specifying or creating a profile with the Profile Manager and thus shouldn't interfere with a release. On Windows they will probably also install in their own Firefox program folder.
See also;
- Bug 1474285 - Implement profile-per-install [67]
(please do not comment in bug reports
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/page.cgi?id=etiquette.html)