What is your home page? If you are using http://www.google.com/firefox?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official then that message is permanent there, it doesn't even check the actual version you're using. Feel free to just use http://www.google.com/ as your home page instead.

If that isn't the message you're seeing, please explain in more detail or attach a screen capture.

Also, please note that security updates for the 3.6 series will cease at some point, after which time you should, for your own security, cease using that version on the web.

Whatever aspects of the newer versions you dislike can be customized to look and act like Firefox 3.6.

• Common questions after upgrading from Firefox 3.6

By all means, if you're not going to use a secure version of Firefox, use a secure version of another browser. Security vulnerabilities fixed since Firefox 3.6.28:

• www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/firefox.html

jscher2000 wrote:

Also, please note that security updates for the 3.6 series will cease at some point,

"Some point" was yesterday. Firefox 12 already contains numerous fixes not found in Firefox 3.6.28.

• blog.mozilla.org/.../upcoming-firefox-support-changes/

You really should update to Firefox 12. you can always customize it to look and behave just like firefox 3.6 http://mike.kaply.com/2012/02/13/making-firefox-10-more-like-firefox-3-6/

Upgrading to Firefox 12 is a HUGE security exposure because it bypasses UAC on Windows 7.

I am staying with Firefox 11 and I would like to know how to disable the annoying UAC message triggered by Firefox Updater that pops up whenever I start Firefox.

Thanks.

deebee2, actually no, it isn't. Firefox doesn't bypass the UAC, what it does is it separates the updater from the actual Firefox browser, so it makes i more secure in a way :) but what it essentially does (in easy terms) is it tells Windows "From now on, trust me when I update, because I'm using this service" and if the user allows it, then it works.

I also find it odd you think bypassing the UAC prompt with firefox is a security risk, but you want to disable the UAC that comes from the updater? confused.

Tylerdowner Firefox is unlike other applications: It's VERY popular, which means that very soon hackers will try to take advantage of Windows 7's "trust" in Firefox, by targeting not only security holes in Windows 7 but also security holes in Firefox!

I don't want to disable UAC. In fact, because UAC is enabled, I know that Firefox wants to install this new FF12. I just want to get rid of my beloved FF11's desire to shove FF12 down my throat.

Is there a way to tell Firefox's updater to stop nagging me?

Should I just delete C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\updater.exe ?

No, that isn't how the Updater Service works, but we won't argue about it.

You can update to Firefox 12, and simply turn off the Mozilla Maintenance Service. How does the Mozilla Maintenance Service work? shows you how.

Tylerdowner Thanks for your reply. I now realize that it's not only FF11 that wants to shove FF12 down my throat but it's you, too. LOL

Your reply only convinced me not to trust Firefox 12. Never mind, I will find a way to delete the downloaded FF12 copy from my system.

And... I have no doubt that sooner or later we will hear about some malware that sneaked in through Firefox 12. Just because Microsoft did that on Internet Explorer doesn't mean Firefox must copycat. The only reason Firefox has been my browser of choice is that it did things differently from Microsoft.

Thanks again for your help!

OK got it:

You can manually reset the Software Update feature by closing your Mozilla application and deleting the "updates" folder and the two files "active-update.xml" and "updates.xml", which can be found in one of these locations (using Firefox as an example):

• Windows XP/2000: C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Mozilla Firefox
• Windows 7/Vista: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Mozilla Firefox

that worked great - thanks. my only other option was to just drop Firefox entirely.

Where do I find the update.xml file on a Mac 10.5

The update.xml file only stores the update history (Firefox > Preferences > Advanced > Update: Show Update History) It is usually not necessary to remove that file.
On Mac it may be found in the updates folder in the Firefox installation folder.

@Gingerbread_Man Thank you for your feedback, however you are wrong. Firefox 4 and < are unable to act the way version 3.6.x does. There are too many changes, both in behavior and look, for it to ever be the say way. For reasons beyond me, they have *even* managed to removed the status bar (bottom of 3.6.x). Without this, even my add-ons are clumsily stacked at the top. I'm not going to list all the issues with 4 & < that I dislike because hundreds of people have done so already.

The issue here is about version 3.6.x (3.6.28) crashing for some reason (most likely adobe flash), not about the inability to find the "Check for Updates..." function under Help.

Thanks for partaking in the conversation though.

IrinaWylder wrote:

Firefox 4 and < are unable to act the way version 3.6.x does. There are too many changes, both in behavior and look, for it to ever be the say way.

That's most definitely not the case. You can install a Firefox 3.6-style theme, for starters.

• addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/firefox-3-aero-theme-for-fi/
• addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/firefox-3-theme-for-firefox/

For reasons beyond me, they have *even* managed to removed the status bar (bottom of 3.6.x).

This is covered in the article I linked to,

• Common questions after upgrading from Firefox 3.6

You can install the following extension to restore the status bar.

• addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/status-4-evar/

Without this, even my add-ons are clumsily stacked at the top.

If the add-on bar is displayed, then that's where you'll normally find your add-on icons (at the bottom of the screen, same as the old status bar). Most icons can be moved onto other toolbars if you like though.

• The Add-on Bar gives you quick access to add-on features
• Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars

The issue here is about version 3.6.x (3.6.28) crashing for some reason

Actually, this thread is about disabling update checking — which others have already addressed. If you have a different problem, please start a new thread (Ask a Question).

I only meant to point out that there's no reason not to upgrade, and that sticking with an outdated version is awful from a security standpoint. Having done that, you can rest assured, I won't insist further.

Current Firefox versions use the Add-ons Bar (View > Toolbars > Add-on Bar; Ctrl /) to make it possible for extensions to display their data at the bottom of the screen.

You can use this extension restore the functionality of the status bar.

• Status-4-Evar: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/status-4-evar/

@Gingerbread_Man Thank you so much for clarifying that. I hope that you didn't take my comment as an attack on you personally or anything of the like. That was not at all my intention. Ever.

I do apologize if you feel that I offended you. I hope you'll understand that I really appreciate and respect the time and effort you put into helping everyone around the support area. This place is great with people such as yourself around!

What I meant to point out wasn't the fact that you can spend a wee bit of time to find alternatives and options to help you "revert" the "look" back to a more classic one. That I understand and you have already provided a lot of great links and tips.

As close as the look is, from my experience it's still not the same. In fact it reminds me a little bit more of FF2 than anything, hehe..

I also want to ask you a question about the status bad add-on. If you have not tested it youself and/or simply do not know, that's fine. I'm sure someone else will and I'll bump across the answer at some point. Do you know if this "status bar" will support other add-ons, such as NoScript? In Firefox 3.x the NoScript addon is located in the status bar, making it beyond convenient to find and use.

Lastly - I cannot agree with you more that using an insecure browser is a terrible idea, but sometimes users have either no choice - or simply do not want to upgrade. As much of a good idea it is to upgrade, I think the remaining 3.x users would have done so long ago. :)

@cor-el Oh really? That's good to hear. Thanks for pitching in with that. :)

IrinaWylder wrote:

I do apologize if you feel that I offended you. I hope you'll understand that I really appreciate and respect the time and effort you put into helping everyone around the support area. This place is great with people such as yourself around!

I wasn't at all offended. Thank you for the words of appreciation.

As close as the look is, from my experience it's still not the same.

If you'd like to ask a new question detailing what you find lacking, we may be able to help.

Do you know if this "status bar" will support other add-ons, such as NoScript? In Firefox 3.x the NoScript addon is located in the status bar, making it beyond convenient to find and use.

You don't need an extension for that. By default, all add-on icons will appear on the add-on bar. The add-on bar is a toolbar at the bottom of the window.

What happened to the Status Bar?
If the add-on bar is not displayed, either press Ctrl + / or right-click an empty area of the tab bar and choose Add-on Bar from the menu.

Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars
If the icon for a particular add-on isn't on the add-on bar, right-click an empty area of the tab bar and choose Customize. From the window that opens, drag the icon onto the add-on bar, then press the Done button.

Managing extensions
Some add-ons may not have their icons in the Customize window. In these cases, you may have to access their options from the Add-ons Manager to display the icon (this is not the case for NoScript).

My 2 cents to Mozilla.org & those in charge of Firefox dev: Thanks deebee2 for your solution. Looks like most of the Mozilla people were dancing around the issue and not presenting a real solution. They were acting along the lines of 'well it is really better for you' if it behaves this way. Considering their earlier Java foot-in-mouth performance, this makes it 2 strikes as far as I am concerned.

If there is a menu entry to disable updates - it should work, or be removed. I should not have to 'fix' it by going manually into directories to remove the 'update' behavior. This is the approach of a 'Nanny State'. No thanks. People left Microsoft because of that approach, and may (are) leaving Mozilla because of the same. How much productivity was lost in the Java snafu?(PS: Many people run with NoScript - so their exposure would have been low). How much productivity was lost trying to find out how to shut down the Mozilla auto-update? I use the computer as a tool to accomplish something, not to ooh and aah over the 'new interface'.

Next time you consider forcing something because 'it would really be better for the user even if they don't want it'... "DON'T". First, Mozilla does not have the market penetration to be successful. It will only hurt itself. Second, by way of comparison, Microsoft started doing this when they exceeded about 70% market penetration, Mozilla on the other hand started at 50% market penetration - who would be considered more fair and considerate to the user by that measure? - you have no idea how that thought causes the bile to rise in my throat.