How to switch to FF 52 ESR?
I am not willing to use 57 because it destroys critical security addons like NoScript, which will make the browser extremely unsafe. I am currently on 56 but it is not supported any longer with security updates.
I know I need to switch to 52 ESR, but I need help (step by step, very detailed and specific) with these tasks:
1. Where do I download Firefox 52 ESR for 64 bit Windows 7, in English?
2. How do I make sure that it will keep my profile, including my preferences, settings, addons, and browsing history? The Firefox website says that 52 ESR may delete history, cause errors, or break all kinds of things. How do I prevent that breaking and deletion, and keep my browsing history, cookies, settings, preferences, form history, etc. without having to create a new profile and losing all my settings and preferences (which I don't know how to set again) ?
Modified by cor-el
Chosen solution
Firefox 52 ESR doesn't use favicons.sqlite, so you are likely to encounter issues with bookmarks and history (places.sqlite) and you will lose the favicons when you downgrade your current profile from 56+ to 52 ESR. There are more database and storage changes.
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uninstall Firefox. Then Delete the Mozilla Firefox Folders in C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(x86) Then restart system. Then run Windows Disk Cleanup. Then run it again and click the button that says Cleanup System Files. Note: your Firefox Profile is saved. But you should make a back up before you do : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
Nothing is guaranteed :
Going back : unfortunately 56.0.2 and below is no longer safe to use for every day use do to secuity issues, but 52.5.0 ESR is. It will continue to get security updates until May 2018, and you can download and install it from this page: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/all/ Note : Legacy Extensions will be deleted or removed in any version update after May 2018.
Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.
Will 52 ESR be able to read correctly my profile files, such as places.sqlite, cookies.sqlite, favicons.sqlite, search.sqlite, and prefs.js ? They are from FF 56.
Will uninstalling remove my addons and extensions? Is there a way to back them up or do I have to download them again instead?
If FF 52 ESR can't read my history and preference files, will it work to reinstall FF 56 just from a regular installer, without uninstalling FF again?
Modified by Ellen.
Yes. they are all there or will be with luck.Can not say for certain 100% that is why backup info was given. If all goes right then yes old extensions will be ready to use, you may have to enable them or click the gear icon to update them.
NoScript works with 57 just not the same do to permissions and security. Alternatives to : https://alternativeto.net/software/noscript/ https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/7d3bkk/psa_there_are_alternatives_to_noscript/
A paid version of Malwarebytes works wonderfully.
56 down. no all are being forced updated.
Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.
I have set FF not to automatically update, so I can keep using 56 'till June if I really have to. My question is whether it is technically possible to install 56, using the 56 installer, on top of a 52 ESR installation, if 52 mangles websites or deletes my browser history.
Modified by Ellen.
It does not matter that you have it not to auto update. it will update asap.
I have gone over this a few times. No your profile is saved. you can even go in and delete the Mozilla Firefox Folders in C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(x86) Matter fact it is advisable to do so and advise people to do this many x's a day. Your profile is not uninstalled it is https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data here.
You can run the Developers Edition of Firefox https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/developer/ it will ask when it finds another version if want it to do compatibility mode when it is installed. So install what ever you want ESR then Developer hand have both.....
This has been asked and answered.
Please let us know if this solved your issue
I'm using ff56 right now and it isn't updating because I told it not to.
Chosen Solution
Firefox 52 ESR doesn't use favicons.sqlite, so you are likely to encounter issues with bookmarks and history (places.sqlite) and you will lose the favicons when you downgrade your current profile from 56+ to 52 ESR. There are more database and storage changes.
Ellen. said
I'm using ff56 right now and it isn't updating because I told it not to.
However the Firefox 56.0.2 is the last update for the EOL 56.0 as there will be no more security updates like Firefox 52 ESR will get until 52.8.0esr in May 2018. The Firefox 56.0.2 will become more and more vulnerable to use over time. https://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/
You say there is no NoScript for Firefox 57+ well there is however it is still a bit of a work in progress. https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/noscript/ and https://hackademix.net/
Modified by James
NoScript for 57 is a nonfunctional mess of errors and utterly inaccessible for people with certain disabilities. I am not interested in arguing about this.
Clearly, I can't switch to a version that will ruin my history, or data. I could go without favicons until June, but I'm afraid of anything that will mess up my database; whatever that means, it sounds dire. Also if it actually deletes or corrupts history I can't do that either.
Modified by Ellen.
See also Policy Control - JavaScript and Flash blocker: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/policy-control/