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I am wondering if I can delete Mozilla Firefox 61.0.1 (x64 en US) in programs, to save space, as I have the latest Version 60.7.0, ESR May 21, 2019.

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My diagnostic report said to delete some unused programs so wondering if I have to keep this old version or can I get rid of it, will save 144 mb. My confusion is the lower number is the most recent, with the addition of esr. I just uninstalled a Java 8 Update 73 because I have installed Java 8 Update 131, which should logically supersede it, right?! Thx.

My diagnostic report said to delete some unused programs so wondering if I have to keep this old version or can I get rid of it, will save 144 mb. My confusion is the lower number is the most recent, with the addition of esr. I just uninstalled a Java 8 Update 73 because I have installed Java 8 Update 131, which should logically supersede it, right?! Thx.

Chosen solution

You should definitely delete 61.0.1: it is very old and contains known security vulnerabilities.

60.7.0 ESR is the current version of the Extended Support Release branch. Generally the only users of the ESR branch are in organisations that mandate extensive testing of software before it is deployed. The ESR branch is favoured in such deployments as it doesn't introduce new features with its updates — only security updates and major bugfixes.

So I suggest either:

  1. Uninstall 61.0.1 and continue using 60.7.0 ESR should you wish, or
  2. Uninstall 60.7.0 ESR and update Firefox 61.0.1 to the latest version which is currently 67.0. This support article [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/update-firefox-latest-release] explains how to update Firefox if you need further assistance (or feel free to ask here!)
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All Replies (12)

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Chosen Solution

You should definitely delete 61.0.1: it is very old and contains known security vulnerabilities.

60.7.0 ESR is the current version of the Extended Support Release branch. Generally the only users of the ESR branch are in organisations that mandate extensive testing of software before it is deployed. The ESR branch is favoured in such deployments as it doesn't introduce new features with its updates — only security updates and major bugfixes.

So I suggest either:

  1. Uninstall 61.0.1 and continue using 60.7.0 ESR should you wish, or
  2. Uninstall 60.7.0 ESR and update Firefox 61.0.1 to the latest version which is currently 67.0. This support article [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/update-firefox-latest-release] explains how to update Firefox if you need further assistance (or feel free to ask here!)
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Note, however, that you aren't saving that much space wise. I suggest you get an external hard drive and move large, and seldom used files to it.

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Thank you for the info. I did update Mozilla to 67.0 which seemed to wipe out the 61.0.1 without uninstalling (no longer in programs) but the 60.7.0 ESR is still there, so guess I should uninstall that.

However, the update took out all my bookmarks and settings, so not pleased with that and wondering if there is a way to retrieve them?! I do have an external hard drive but not very knowledgeable with backup so did not save bookmarks, etc.

Also not pleased that I have to sign in to Firefox and looks like I cannot sign out so they will be continuously monitoring?! I thought Mozilla were the good guys?!

Modified by RecoveringLuddite

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RecoveringLuddite said

However, the update took out all my bookmarks and settings, so not pleased with that and wondering if there is a way to retrieve them?!

Ouch really sorry to read that. Hopefully regarding your bookmarks this article will help: Recover lost or missing Bookmarks

Apart from bookmarks, what else was lost?

Perhaps leave uninstalling 60.7.0 ESR until you've recovered bookmarks and made a backup of your Firefox profile, just in case. This article should assist you making a backup before uninstalling 60.7.0 ESR: Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles

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I have to get ready for an appointment at 9:00 am so do not have more time to figure this out now. I tried to restore the bookmarks but the only automatic saved was for today. I did find the profile and saved the whole list to usb. However, not sure about the rest so will struggle with it later.

Not the end of the world, loss of bookmarks, except one password which I will have to get reset by the organization as I don't remember it. Not keen on password managers as monitored. Also have not figured out how to sign out of Firefox yet ... All docs, etc. there so no other losses, thx. fr. concern.

I admire all the cognoscenti who toil in obscurity here to help us surface scratchers. Much appreciated! To be continued ...

Modified by RecoveringLuddite

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Thank you for your suggestions. I did have that folder on desktop, but of course deleted it a few weeks ago while cleaning up, not realizing it would have all the refresh and historical data. Now I know ... So will see if I have time to work on this on the weekend.

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In a lot of cases the Windows Registry can be corrupted with only orphaned entries present in "Windows Control Panel -> Programs", but the entries point to the same installation folder. Multiple Firefox versions can possibly be an older 32-bit version that wasn't removed when you updated to the 64-bit Firefox version. It is always best to verify that previous versions of an application are still installed on the hard drive and that its version number is the same as listed in the Windows Control Panel (i.e. it is valid and not a leftover orphaned entry).

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RecoveringLuddite said

... So will see if I have time to work on this on the weekend.

Did you have any luck? I just read this article about Firefox profiles going missing-in-action with updates to version 67, including a potential fix (it pays to read the whole thing as it seems to describe your situation of having 2 separate installations of Firefox quite closely, but scroll down to the section Switching back to your original profile for the potential fix): https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/software/firefox-67-switching-to-empty-profiles-causing-data-loss-fears/

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Th new dedicated profile feature has nothing to do with the subject of this question.

Firefox 67 and later can use a dedicated profile for each of the Firefox update channels and will lock the profile, so it can only be used by Firefox in a specific installation folder. For Release versions this profile would be a xxxxxxxx.default-release profile, profiles used in older Firefox versions usually used a xxxxxxxx.default profile (a refresh adds a time stamp).

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If that's the case, please accept my apologies.

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I am thrilled that all you thinkers and researchers are still working on a solution for me/this fairly inconsequential problem in the scheme of life. Got discouraged and just started from scratch to input anew as had to carry on. Have not had a chance to get back to it, but will try tomorrow to implement some of your suggestions. Thank you to everyone.