Installing an independent second copy of Firefox
I want to install a copy of the current version of Firefox on a Win 10 computer that already has an ESR copy of Firefox running on it, without overwriting any of the existing Firefox configurations, that can be run independently of the first install.
How do I do this?
All Replies (5)
Hmm, to be honest, I don't trust installing the standard release alongside the Extended Support Release. I've tried it (one 32-bit and one 64-bit), and things seem to get a bit confused since both are called firefox.exe.
It would be safer to install the Developer Edition, which is based on the beta version (future Firefox 106) but is expressly designed to work alongside the regular releases. Would that suit your needs for why you want to install Firefox 105? https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/developer/
I do not need to run the two versions at the same time.
The standard updates of Firefox are playing havoc with my ability to use them for my normal web activities. That is why I am running the esr version - but even that has issues.
For example, some of the updates blocked my use of on line banking due to the browser's inability to show line items that I need to select in a specific dialog box.
None of these problems occur with Chrome, Edge or Brave.
The current Firefox 102.3 esr even refuses to allow Google maps to display.
It is just one big hassle. I need to install a standard version to continuously test for a stable version of the browser as it updates which I can finally adhere to and actually use.
My only alternative is going to be dropping Firefox entirely if this doesn't stop. I think the last fully functioning update I had was in the v. 100 series.
And its a pain to have to reinstall Firefox from scratch when I have to return to an earlier version as configuring it takes hours. There is no way to export save the configuration and then import that configuration into the new installation.
portman said
I do not need to run the two versions at the same time.
Okay, but if you don't install the Developer Edication, make sure to do a custom install to a different location: Custom installation of Firefox on Windows.
For example, some of the updates blocked my use of on line banking due to the browser's inability to show line items that I need to select in a specific dialog box.
That's strange, so this is in Firefox 103-104-105 but okay in Firefox 102? You might start a separate thread about that.
The current Firefox 102.3 esr even refuses to allow Google maps to display.
That's not normal. Is Firefox about to use WebGL on your system? Upgrade your graphics drivers to use hardware acceleration and WebGL.
And its a pain to have to reinstall Firefox from scratch when I have to return to an earlier version as configuring it takes hours. There is no way to export save the configuration and then import that configuration into the new installation.
The closest feature is Firefox Sync, but it's incomplete. If you need to manually copy/paste files, you often can do that when there are no file format changes between the versions. Recover important data from an old profile.
Do you see WebGL errors reported under the Graphics section on the "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page with the ESR version ?
Any relevant-looking WebGL messages in the Web Console when you open a Google Map page ?
Thank you cor-el
I used the URL you kindly provided to run the Web Console on the Google Maps page and attached please find a screenshot of the results that you can review.
I have never run that web tool before and I haven't a clue as to what the results mean.
Can you and/or jscher2000 please try to interpret for me?
I am in a Win 10 Pro 64bit OS Environment With an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Notebook Chipset NVIDIA GeForce Experience V. 3.25.1.27 Control Panel 8.1.9620
