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How can I allow updates on Firefox when it says "Updates disabled by your system administrator"?

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In the general section for Firefox settings, I was checking to see the version number of Firefox that I have. I then saw a text message saying "Updates disabled by system administrator" below my version number. As far as I now, I am the system administrator. How can I fix this problem and allow updates for Firefox again? Using Version 66.0.3 (64-bit).

In the general section for Firefox settings, I was checking to see the version number of Firefox that I have. I then saw a text message saying "Updates disabled by system administrator" below my version number. As far as I now, I am the system administrator. How can I fix this problem and allow updates for Firefox again? Using Version 66.0.3 (64-bit).

All Replies (10)

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This means that your Firefox browser is controlled either by Windows Group Policy or a policies.json file.

You should check to See active policies on Firefox for Enterprise and then remove any that you don't want.

NOTE: If you are not your system administrator, attempting to bypass these control policies could land you in serious trouble. If this computer is part of a business network or provided to you by a company you work for, contact your company IT department before attempting to remove any policy controls.
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I am not part of a business and am not using Firefox Enterprise. This is solely for home.

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If you type or paste the following into the address bar and press Enter to load it, do you get a blank panel for Active or is something listed?

about:policies

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Yes, it is blank.

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Can you find a folder named distribution in either of these places (usually you will only have one or the other of these folders):

  • C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

If yes:

Does the distribution folder contain a file named policies.json?

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Did you look for a policies.json file in the Firefox installation folder?

You can inspect the Mozilla and Firefox keys with the Windows Registry Editor in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and possibly in HKEY_CURRENT_USER with the Windows Registry Editor to see whether GPO policy rules are active.

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox\
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I cannot find any folder named that.

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Do you have the same issue when you run Firefox in Safe Mode?

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InfiniteProximity said

"Updates disabled by system administrator."

I have a similar noticed in Options, also. I think 'it' arrived when I installed Avast's Password manager.


~Pj

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Pj said

InfiniteProximity said
"Updates disabled by system administrator."

I have a similar noticed in Options, also. I think 'it' arrived when I installed Avast's Password manager.


~Pj

Yeah, PJ makes a good point. I also have the same message. I don't have Avast Password Manager installed, but I do have Avasy Antivirus.

It can be common for a security software to lock some features of your internet browser. See if maybe disabling Avast products will help with the issue.