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Having trouble with global extension installation on Firefox 3.6.3

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I am having trouble installing extensions globally on Firefox 3.6.3. As you know the -install-global-extension switch has been removed and you cannot point to the XPI in the registry any more. What I have done to get the extension ID and confirm it has unpacked successfully is to install the extensions as me into my own profile, which works fine and the extensions launch successfully (PROVING THEY ARE COMPATIBLE), then closing Firefox and cutting the folder from %appdata%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\4sd8sico.default\extensions and pasting into %programfiles%\Mozilla Firefox\extensions. However when I do this the extension fails to launch, and when I go into the Addons manager it always says "Not compatible with Firefox 3.6.3".

Any ideas please? I have tried this with both Keyscrambler and Public Fox and they both do the same thing.

Many thanks

This happened

Every time Firefox opened

I am having trouble installing extensions globally on Firefox 3.6.3. As you know the -install-global-extension switch has been removed and you cannot point to the XPI in the registry any more. What I have done to get the extension ID and confirm it has unpacked successfully is to install the extensions as me into my own profile, which works fine and the extensions launch successfully (PROVING THEY ARE COMPATIBLE), then closing Firefox and cutting the folder from %appdata%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\4sd8sico.default\extensions and pasting into %programfiles%\Mozilla Firefox\extensions. However when I do this the extension fails to launch, and when I go into the Addons manager it always says "Not compatible with Firefox 3.6.3". Any ideas please? I have tried this with both Keyscrambler and Public Fox and they both do the same thing. Many thanks == This happened == Every time Firefox opened

All Replies (8)

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You can place the XPI file in the extensions folder in the Firefox program folder or in the %AppData%\mozilla\extensions\ folder or each user.

See also: http://developer.mozilla.org/en/Installing_extensions http://developer.mozilla.org/en/Adding_Extensions_using_the_Windows_Registry

If you see disabled extensions that are not compatible on the next start in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions" then click the "Find Updates" button to do a compatibility check.

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the method cor-el suggests does NOT install the extensions globally.

Please bring back the global extension installer.

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Drop the extension XPI file into the \Program Files\Firefox\extensions\ folder with Firefox closed and it will be installed into each Profile as that Profile is launched.

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Having exactly the same issue. (with the dutch dictionary) Installs fine for one user, once I try to install it system wide, it is reported not to be compatible.

@the-edmeister Firefox does pop up an install extension dialogue that way, but here as well, the extension (which ìs compatible) is reported to be incompatible with FF3.6

I third Jon's and Ian Beyer's request to bring back the global extension installer if this could solve the issue.

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Drag and Drop the extension into the Addon manager, or try going to AMO website to see if another exists or if its compatible. YOu can also download the compatibility reporter that checks extensions.

Also a side note, extensions installed from the folder may be removed in the next version of firefox.. its being reviewed, so if you need that functionality search for the bug in mozilla.

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@cuz84d We're using a compatible version. It is working if you install it like you normally would. From the moment you try to install it systemwide (so other users might log in and use the extension in firefox) it is reported to be not compatible.

This does not happen with every extension though..

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You'll need to unpack the xpi package and modify the install.rdf file in it. Look for em:maxVersion and change the version number to whatever you have installed to make it work.

I was having the same issue with the ireader addon. It would install fine in the local profile but kept getting flagged incompatible whenever I moved it to the global extensions directory.

Unpacking the package and changing the em:maxVersion attribute in install.rdf to 9.0 fixed the issue for me.

Rohit modificouno o

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@nixclusive

This thread was about Firefox 3.6.3. The information that you posted applies to Firefox 4+ versions.


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