How can I go back to a version of Firefox compatible with the Norton Toolbar?
After I updated to the latest version of Firefox, the Norton toolbar is disabled. I wish to go back to a previous version that is compatible with the Norton toolbar. Can I do that?
Chosen solution
For security reasons, it's best not to roll back to Firefox 40. Could I refer you to this thread for further discussion and suggestions: Why has Firefox AGAIN Messed up Norton Internet Security?
Read this answer in context 👍 3All Replies (14)
Chosen Solution
For security reasons, it's best not to roll back to Firefox 40. Could I refer you to this thread for further discussion and suggestions: Why has Firefox AGAIN Messed up Norton Internet Security?
waltofrocklin said
After I updated to the latest version of Firefox, the Norton toolbar is disabled. I wish to go back to a previous version that is compatible with the Norton toolbar. Can I do that?
Firefox is not made compatible with the thousand of Extensions as it is the other way.
Norton knew they had to make a new different version and even asked Mozilla to delay the change in Firefox 40.0 to 41.0 Release.
All I need is to go back to the previous version. Why isn't that possible?
waltofrocklin said
All I need is to go back to the previous version. Why isn't that possible?
I don't see anyone saying it's impossible. Did you read the thread I linked to?
waltofrocklin said
All I need is to go back to the previous version. Why isn't that possible?
Instead of arguing about who's at fault Firefox or Norton, including distracting links to other threads, can someone please just pass along the download link to the version of Firefox that is compatible with Norton Toolbar?
Hi Mychal, I already linked to the other thread, but I'll re-paste it here for quicker reference:
Instead of using the insecure version 40, consider using a different variant of Firefox called the Extended Support Release (ESR) for the time being. ESR is designed for companies that require a longer cycle time between feature changes, and currently is based on Firefox 38. It will get security updates over the next several months, but not get new features, so changes in Firefox 41 related to add-on compatibility will not kick in for quite a while.
Norton is likely to continue to support ESR until the new toolbar updates are completed, maybe next month. After that, I'm not sure what they will do because normally they only support a small range of versions.
If you decide to try it, here is how I suggest installing it:
Clean Reinstall
We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent, corrupted, or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.
(A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 38.3.0esr from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/organizations/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)
(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).
(C) Rename the program folder, either:
(64-bit Windows folder names)
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files (x86)\Fx41
(32-bit Windows folder names)
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files\Fx41
(D) Run the installer you downloaded in (A). It should automatically connect to your existing settings.
Success?
Note: Some plugins may exist only in that old folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:
- \Fx41\Plugins
- \Fx41\browser\plugins
jscher2000 said
Hi Mychal, I already linked to the other thread, but I'll re-paste it here for quicker reference:
Can you PLEASE provide a link to Firefox version 40? That is ALL that we are asking for.
Mychal said
Firefox that is compatible with Norton Toolbar?
Again it is not Firefox being made compatible but the other way. You cannot expect Mozilla to make Firefox be compatible with literally hundreds or more Extensions out there (almost all are third-party) for each new major Release. It would take forever to release a new major Firefox Release if this was the case.
Norton has to make the toolbar a different way now instead of relying on a old way of having the toolbar communicate with the Norton product.
Anyways we generally do not link to older versions due to being potentially vulnerable (there was even a recent 41.0.2 for a security fix that 40 does not have) but if you must for time being until Norton has updated their toolbar. http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/40.0.3/win32/
James said
Mychal saidFirefox that is compatible with Norton Toolbar?Again it is not Firefox being made compatible but the other way. You cannot expect Mozilla to make Firefox be compatible with literally hundreds or more Extensions out there (almost all are third-party) for each new major Release. It would take forever to release a new major Firefox Release if this was the case.
Norton has to make the toolbar a different way now instead of relying on a old way of having the toolbar communicate with the Norton product.
Anyways we generally do not link to older versions due to being potentially vulnerable (there was even a recent 41.0.2 for a security fix that 40 does not have) but if you must for time being until Norton has updated their toolbar. http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/40.0.3/win32/
It's like pulling teeth to get a simple reply and impossible without an argument of who's at fault. When something is incompatible it is BOTH things that are incompatible. with each other.
Perhaps Norton DOES need to update their browser extension but then again they need to do so because Mozilla made changes in Firefox that now render the Norton Toolbar disabled. Which is AGAIN why we're even discussing this to begin with.
I thank you though for the link back to 40 which is what Norton recommended also until a fix is made. Have a great weekend.
jscher2000 said
Hi Mychal, I already linked to the other thread, but I'll re-paste it here for quicker reference: Instead of using the insecure version 40, consider using a different variant of Firefox called the Extended Support Release (ESR) for the time being. ESR is designed for companies that require a longer cycle time between feature changes, and currently is based on Firefox 38. It will get security updates over the next several months, but not get new features, so changes in Firefox 41 related to add-on compatibility will not kick in for quite a while. Norton is likely to continue to support ESR until the new toolbar updates are completed, maybe next month. After that, I'm not sure what they will do because normally they only support a small range of versions. If you decide to try it, here is how I suggest installing it: Clean Reinstall We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent, corrupted, or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed. (A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 38.3.0esr from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/organizations/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.) (B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable). (C) Rename the program folder, either: (64-bit Windows folder names) C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox to C:\Program Files (x86)\Fx41 (32-bit Windows folder names) C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox to C:\Program Files\Fx41 (D) Run the installer you downloaded in (A). It should automatically connect to your existing settings. Success? Note: Some plugins may exist only in that old folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:
- \Fx41\Plugins
- \Fx41\browser\plugins
My other popular browsers are just fine with Norton Toolbar. I guess they have weighed the balance between potential security risk and customer inconvenience with software incompatibilities differently. Only Firefox keeps producing new incompatible versions. However it is also a security risk if I have to record all my passwords on paper or in the browser itself. However if Firefox can assure me that their own password store and autofill is equally secure to Norton, then I would consider changing. So can you?
Again it is not Firefox that is incompatible with Norton toolbar versions but the other way.
James said
Again it is not Firefox that is incompatible with Norton toolbar versions but the other way. https://community.norton.com/en/blogs/product-update-announcements/firefox-43-limited-compatibility-norton-toolbar
James, let me just point out that it is Firefox that has updated and changed NOT Norton ID Safe. Firefox have changed their specs, not Norton. Furthermore Norton works fine with other popular browsers. Whether as you say Norton could have known about this and made changes is a separate matter, but it IS Firefox that made changes.
In any case it would be far more useful if you answer my question about what password store and autofill you recommend and whether you can assure that it is equally secure as Norton ID Safe. THAT was my question. Ian
fixed the leading space scrollbar
Modified by the-edmeister