Why is Firefox still updating my browser when it's configured never to be updated?
Three months ago when using Firefox version 15.01 I asked the very same question (which is still posted here at Firefox support at >> https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/933437?esab=a&s=why+does+firefox+update+my+browser&r=7&as=s << ) wondering why my browser was being updated despite being configured never to be updated and was told;
- by Tylerdowner
All Firefox 15's are beta right now. The Stable version of Firefox (right now) is Firefox 14.0.1. Go to www.getfirefox.com, and download the release version of Firefox there. Then uninstall Beta, and install the Release version you downloaded.*
I apologized for my ignorance and switched to the most recent stable version 16.01 and true to Firefox Support's word, haven't had my browser updated since...... the last few days when I first noticed the browser was configured to be updated. I was upset by this discovery but let it go, leaving it to some one-time glitch. But when I logged again, the configuration never to be updated that I set my Firefox version 16.01 to was again configured to having the browser updated.
I logged on and off numerous times since and every time despite having it set to never to be updated was back in the update position.
So, my question is, despite using the stable 16.01 version, how do I prevent Firefox from updating my browser and even more troublesome, how do I prevent it from switching back on after i turn browser update off?
I love Firefox too much ever to give it up, don't like Chrome, certainly not IE whatever version having been a Firefox user since 2005.
Any help, assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Modified by mediamayven
Chosen solution
Hi,
You can try to adjust the settings in Tools (Alt + T) > Options > Advanced > Update. If your settings are not being saved, please see this.
Please also note that security software, or third-party updater software may also include functionality to toggle insecure settings in various Windows applications to the recommended settings. So you may also have to check that.
Read this answer in context 👍 2All Replies (6)
Chosen Solution
Hi,
You can try to adjust the settings in Tools (Alt + T) > Options > Advanced > Update. If your settings are not being saved, please see this.
Please also note that security software, or third-party updater software may also include functionality to toggle insecure settings in various Windows applications to the recommended settings. So you may also have to check that.
Modified by dumdidadida
Actually it is recommended to use Firefox 16.0.2 and not 16.0.1 due to a potential security issue in 16.0.1 and earlier.
The 16.0.* are not really version updates but chemspill updates that were warranted for security and could not wait for 17.0. Ideally there would not have been any chemspills for 16.0
Modified by James
It's all very confusing and highly inconsistent. How am I supposed to know that ; >>>The 16.0.* are not really version updates but chemspill updates that were warranted for security and could not wait for 17.0. Ideally there would not have been any chemspills for 16.0.<<<<<<
Meanwhile, I am driven crazy by my browser not responding to the configuration I set not to update while it does update.
How should anybody react to something like that? It is unnerving and very inconsiderate to users like me who have a very specific way they want their browser to behave and to not know why browser protocols are so diametrically different from one version to the next wreaks havoc with my state of mind, user habits, the repercussions of which are far-reaching in so many ways that undermine trust and confidence towards using a specific (Firefox) browser.
You talk of version 16.0 as not *really* version updates but chemspill updates, as if i understand the difference, as if it makes any difference, because as a user the ****first, foremost most fundamental aspect that I demand, certainly expect is consistent facilitation of each process in each and every update or whatever you want to call it or provide mumbo jumbo like chemspill, whatever the heck that means anyway.
And when a very familiar process such as configuration of the browser update doesn't follow through, happen such as when my browser is set to update when I configure it NOT to update that is unnerving beyond all words.
By far, more than any browser I've used, Firefox is habitually inconsistent from one version to the next in all sorts of ways,circumstances that does not bode well in retaining users long-term.
- Actually it is recommended to use Firefox 16.0.2 and not 16.0.1 due to a potential security issue in 16.0.1 and earlier.****
I was told to use 15.01 because it wasn't a beta and that it would be stable especially as far as not being updated was concerned. So it only makes sense to use version 16 the same way by installing 16.01. But then i find out that with 16 things aren't consistent with the way version 15 worked.
Well, that causes an entire problem unto itself, lack of consistent facilitation from 15 to 16 is what drives me, many untold millions of other users crazy.
But now having been very belatedly informed of 16 not being a real version and to upgrade to 16.02 for the stability I demand in not having to worry about inadvertent updates, I am very happy to report that it has been working (aka being consistent) as you have been reporting which makes me very happy, thank you very much.
You reply doesn't make much sense, but I'll try my best here:
Firefox uses this versioning model:
x.0.0 (x = 16 right now). This number is increased every 6 weeks as we release a new versions. Right now Firefox 16 is the stable version, but tomorrow we are releasing version 17, so that will be the next stable version.
0.0.x (x = 2 right now): These are updates that included critical security and stability updates that can't wait for the next full release. These are only released as needed.
So, the current stable Firefox that you should be using right now is Firefox 16.0.2. Tomorrow however, Firefox 17 will be released with bug fixes, speed improvements and security fixes, so you should update to that.
So, you should let Firefox update automatically as it will help keep you secure without you having to worry about installing these updates before you get hacked from the security holes fixed in them.
Where do I indicate that the issue has been resolved (as per your request)?
My browser is also configured to never check for updates. I was running Firefox 13. Flash had stopped working for some reason and when I restarted the browser, suddenly it updated to version 17. Now half my addons don't work.
This is EXTREMELY annoying as I have become accustomed to my addons giving me features that have been removed from FF over the years such as more control over tabs and how they are displayed and ordered. Being able to restart the browser, displaying multiple new tab buttons in different places, what to show in new tab windows... the list goes on.
This kind of browser behavior is grounds for changing to a different one.