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How can I get extensions to load in a Microsoft App-V environment?

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  • Last reply by NoahSUMO

begbie9
begbie9
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I am trying to install Firefox 25.0.1 as a virtual application through Microsoft App-V. Everything works fine, until I attempt to install an extension. The extension installs, I can see it in the list of installed extensions, and I see the *.xpi file in the profile. However, the extension never loads when I restart the browser. Also, if I go to Extensions in the Add-ons Manager and click on Options, it freezes the entire browser. This behavior is consistent with any extension that I add. I have confirmed that these extensions work on an identical Windows 7 system where Firefox is installed as a standard application.

Note that App-V will allow changes to the user profile, which is why I can see the *.xpi files. App-V does not allow any modifications to the installation directory in Program Files. When an extension is added, what gets modified in the Firefox directory in Program Files? Also, if there is a file that gets modified in the installation directory, is there a way to redirect that?

I am trying to install Firefox 25.0.1 as a virtual application through Microsoft App-V. Everything works fine, until I attempt to install an extension. The extension installs, I can see it in the list of installed extensions, and I see the *.xpi file in the profile. However, the extension never loads when I restart the browser. Also, if I go to Extensions in the Add-ons Manager and click on Options, it freezes the entire browser. This behavior is consistent with any extension that I add. I have confirmed that these extensions work on an identical Windows 7 system where Firefox is installed as a standard application. Note that App-V will allow changes to the user profile, which is why I can see the *.xpi files. App-V does not allow any modifications to the installation directory in Program Files. When an extension is added, what gets modified in the Firefox directory in Program Files? Also, if there is a file that gets modified in the installation directory, is there a way to redirect that?

All Replies (1)

NoahSUMO
NoahSUMO
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As far as I know and have seen over my years of testing Firefox, installing a addon does not modify any files in the Program Files installation directory.

Everything is saved in the individual Firefox profile.

Your problem sounds pretty unusual for sure. I'd recommend reading over these 2 guides in case there may be any tips that can help you figure this out. If I come across anything more helpful, I'll post it here.

How exactly are you installing the addons? Sounds like you're placing the .xpi files directly into the Firefox profile folder. But you shouldn't be doing that.

Instead try putting the .xpi files into C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\browser\extensions then start Firefox once. You should get a message asking if you want to install the addons, click yes and then Firefox will create a extensions folder in the Firefox profile folder and add the .xpi files there.

Or you could manually create a extensions folder in the firefox profile and place the .xpi files in there. That should work too.

Modified by NoahSUMO