Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

How do I enable auto-updating in an enterprise environment?

more options

I have many devices running outdated versions of Mozilla Firefox in an enterprise environment and wish to force automatic updating to be enabled with SCCM. Is there a configuration file that's used to enable these settings for Firefox?

I've attempted to create a .cfg file and put it in the same directory as Firefox.exe, however the application doesn't seem to utilize the settings or the config file made. The line placed in defaults\pref\channel-prefs.js is lockPref("general.config.filename", "mozilla.cfg");

Any assistance in finding a solution for updating these devices would be greatly appreciated.

I have many devices running outdated versions of Mozilla Firefox in an enterprise environment and wish to force automatic updating to be enabled with SCCM. Is there a configuration file that's used to enable these settings for Firefox? I've attempted to create a .cfg file and put it in the same directory as Firefox.exe, however the application doesn't seem to utilize the settings or the config file made. The line placed in defaults\pref\channel-prefs.js is lockPref("general.config.filename", "mozilla.cfg"); Any assistance in finding a solution for updating these devices would be greatly appreciated.

Chosen solution

You can't/shouldn't use lockPref in the file in defaults\pref folder and you shouldn't edit channel-prefs.js, but use a separate .js file instead.

See Configuration:


You can use the mozilla.cfg file in the Firefox program folder to set or lock preferences and run privileged JavaScript code.

The mozilla.cfg file needs to be in the main Firefox program folder.

These functions can be used in the mozilla.cfg file:

defaultPref();	// set new default value
pref();	// set pref, allow changes in current session
lockPref();	// lock pref, disallow changes

This requires a local-settings.js file in the "defaults/pref" folder where the channel-prefs.js file is located that specifies to use mozilla.cfg.

pref("general.config.filename", "mozilla.cfg");
pref("general.config.obscure_value", 0);

The mozilla.cfg file and possibly local-settings.js need to start with a comment line (//).

See also:

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (3)

more options

I'd suggest you use Firefox ESR and join the enterprise mailing list for help with your particular environment. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/

more options

Chosen Solution

You can't/shouldn't use lockPref in the file in defaults\pref folder and you shouldn't edit channel-prefs.js, but use a separate .js file instead.

See Configuration:


You can use the mozilla.cfg file in the Firefox program folder to set or lock preferences and run privileged JavaScript code.

The mozilla.cfg file needs to be in the main Firefox program folder.

These functions can be used in the mozilla.cfg file:

defaultPref();	// set new default value
pref();	// set pref, allow changes in current session
lockPref();	// lock pref, disallow changes

This requires a local-settings.js file in the "defaults/pref" folder where the channel-prefs.js file is located that specifies to use mozilla.cfg.

pref("general.config.filename", "mozilla.cfg");
pref("general.config.obscure_value", 0);

The mozilla.cfg file and possibly local-settings.js need to start with a comment line (//).

See also:

more options

Thank you for your quick responses!

I removed the entries made to channel-pref.js and had a little bit of a fun time attempting to implement the .cfg file. I was getting an error message when opening Firefox stating the configuration file was incorrect.

It took me a moment to figure out that it was case sensitive for lockPref and I'd written lockpref for the updating piece.

I have a working solution at this point and have moved it into a powershell script that will be used as a configuration item inside of SCCM.

Thank you again for your assistance, great detail and links in your posts, as I wouldn't have been able to get this far without it.