Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Why is Firefox nagging me to upgrade to a BETA?

  • 5 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by Rick216

more options

I have long had FF set to let me know when a new version is available rather than install it automatically. So I am used to the continued nags when an upgrade is available (until I install it).

The new wrinkle is that FF is now nagging me to upgrade to a BETA, which never used to happen. I now have 30 and it is asking me to upgrade to 31 BETA 1. Is this because 30 itself is still considered beta? The reason I installed 30 a couple weeks ago was as a (successful) attempt to remedy some odd behavior I was experiencing with 29.

In any event, how can I go back to being notified only of official updates instead of betas? Or will the nag to upgrade to a new beta automatically stop once 30 becomes the official current release?

I have long had FF set to let me know when a new version is available rather than install it automatically. So I am used to the continued nags when an upgrade is available (until I install it). The new wrinkle is that FF is now nagging me to upgrade to a BETA, which never used to happen. I now have 30 and it is asking me to upgrade to 31 BETA 1. Is this because 30 itself is still considered beta? The reason I installed 30 a couple weeks ago was as a (successful) attempt to remedy some odd behavior I was experiencing with 29. In any event, how can I go back to being notified only of official updates instead of betas? Or will the nag to upgrade to a new beta automatically stop once 30 becomes the official current release?

Chosen solution

I found my solution for getting off the beta channel here, in part of the post by ideato at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/940799


   Close Firefox.
   Go to C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\defaults\pref
   Edit channel-prefs.js with Notepad pref("app.update.channel", "release");
   save it, exit, open firefox. 

check the change of app.update.channel in about:config


I saved the revised "channel-prefs.js" to a different folder (since it wouldn't let me overwrite the old file immediately), and then copied the revised version back to the original folder, saying to overwrite the existing channel-prefs.js (THAT it would allow).

It worked. Now when I do Help/About Firefox it tells me I am up to date with 30.0, instead of asking me to upgrade to the latest beta. I assume that means the beta nags will stop. If not, I'll re-post here.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (5)

more options

hello, when you've downloaded firefox 30 a few weeks ago you have switched to the beta channel - you'll continue to get beta updates once you install a beta version. to work around that install the regular release version again: getfirefox.com

more options

Thanks. Since installing 30 solved a problem I was having, can I just wait until 30 becomes the official release and then install it on top of my current installation of 30 to get off the beta channel? I have a feeling the answer is "yes" based on your description of what's going on, but thought it best to ask.

Modified by Rick216

more options

Once you install a Beta version of Firefox, you stay on the Beta update channel; it will never change to the Release channel.

Firefox 30 was released this past Tuesday, June the 10th.

more options

Can never get off of it?? That's strange... Where/how is the information stored that tells Mozilla "beta for life?"

more options

Chosen Solution

I found my solution for getting off the beta channel here, in part of the post by ideato at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/940799


   Close Firefox.
   Go to C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\defaults\pref
   Edit channel-prefs.js with Notepad pref("app.update.channel", "release");
   save it, exit, open firefox. 

check the change of app.update.channel in about:config


I saved the revised "channel-prefs.js" to a different folder (since it wouldn't let me overwrite the old file immediately), and then copied the revised version back to the original folder, saying to overwrite the existing channel-prefs.js (THAT it would allow).

It worked. Now when I do Help/About Firefox it tells me I am up to date with 30.0, instead of asking me to upgrade to the latest beta. I assume that means the beta nags will stop. If not, I'll re-post here.

Modified by Rick216