Turn off automatic update of Firefox on Gnome 3, Fedora 15
On Fedora 15, using Gnome 3, I am unable to turn off automatic updates for Firefox, I am only able to turn off auto updates for Add-ons and Search Engines.
Chosen solution
Possibly you have obtained a modified version of Firefox. Preferences, chrome, js or whatever may have been modified.
If work requires you to develop on certain versions, and you are doing some of that on this computer, why not install multiple copies of Firefox, including the required versions. I trust the required versions will be the currently supported versions; at the moment that is 3.6, 6, 7, 8 or 9
You should ensure you use multiple profiles so each has a unique profile.
For the current problematic firefox 6 do a clean install, deleting the original program files, but not the profile files. (or possibly an additional install in a custom location with a new profile - allowing you to retain the current firefox 6, and a standard firefox 6) Profiles may be cloned/copied if required, bookmark libraries may be accessed from other versions/profiles if necessary, and multiple versions can be run concurrently. ( I talk from a Windows perspective, but it is unlikely Linux is going to differ)
See
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_%28Firefox%29#Clean_reinstall
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Using_multiple_profiles_-_Firefox
- managing profiles
All Replies (7)
Sorry I am not a Linux user but maybe more information will help.
Presumably you have and have found the option to do this but Firefox does not implement the change.
- does this help preferences are not saved
I am using Firefox 6 and the problem is there's, no option to un-check in order to turn off automatic updates for Firefox, I've uploaded a image showing the only available options I have. So my problem is every time there is a Firefox upgrade mine happens without even asking me any questions. The problem is, my work requires me to develop on certain versions.
FYI on Windows the option is there and I can turn auto updates off for Firefox, so it must be related to Gnome 3, I think.
Chosen Solution
Possibly you have obtained a modified version of Firefox. Preferences, chrome, js or whatever may have been modified.
If work requires you to develop on certain versions, and you are doing some of that on this computer, why not install multiple copies of Firefox, including the required versions. I trust the required versions will be the currently supported versions; at the moment that is 3.6, 6, 7, 8 or 9
You should ensure you use multiple profiles so each has a unique profile.
For the current problematic firefox 6 do a clean install, deleting the original program files, but not the profile files. (or possibly an additional install in a custom location with a new profile - allowing you to retain the current firefox 6, and a standard firefox 6) Profiles may be cloned/copied if required, bookmark libraries may be accessed from other versions/profiles if necessary, and multiple versions can be run concurrently. ( I talk from a Windows perspective, but it is unlikely Linux is going to differ)
See
John99 modificouno o
a Clean install seems like a possible direction, its still work hours where I am, so Ill try at the end of business today, doing clean install also setting up multiple profiles, especially for Firefox 3.6, will update as solved if it all pans out.
Two other thoughts
- it is worth trying a clean profile, as a general troubleshooting step, if it is something you are happy trying. (Firefox policy is leaning towards recommending a clean install instead, and making that easier to accomplish, the current profile manager will be deprecated shortly)
- CARE,
- profile renaming, but note the original filenames/paths stay as they were, so be careful if you ever rename a profile
- use clean empty profiles, because when you clear them the whole folder/path goes
- the delete user info option (however it worded) on uninstalling will attempt to remove all user profiles and information from all installed versions of firefox, that is not intuitive, and the only recovery option is based on luck and timely use of file undelete utilities.
- I would recommend suitable backups before you embark on this, and for instance probably worth doing manual backups of bookmarks, and saving them somewhere safe (not within firefox profiles !)
Got it working. When I did a fresh install the ability to turn off updates returns, I am now running 7 and 3.6 on the the same Fedora 15 system. I see 7 and 3.6 share the same profile Ill just have to still create 2 new ones.
Glad it is working again. You probably only need to create the one additional profile.
You need not even do that if firefox 3.6 is no longer required, because you can uninstall it, but do NOT use any option to delete user settings however that is worded, or it will attempt to remove all your profile information, bookmarks passwords etc from both installed versions of firefox.
I also suggest it is worth making a manual backup of your bookmarks, and keeping them in a safe location (not in a firefox profile or program path), it is good practice, and especially so if you are going to mess around with profiles.
- see backing up and restoring bookmarks
- also note sync is available but probably not all that reliable or flexible