How do I, once and for all, never, ever to return, actually disable Firefox auto-updates?
Once again, without any warning, Firefox demanded I power-cycle itself because it, *without any permission*, installed an update "in the background". Firefox refuses to carry out any further action until I comply with its demands.
Let me be very clear: forced auto-updates are **100% EVIL**. I own, and am ultimately responsible for, this computer. Me. Not you. Me.
Download the update, fine. Notify me about it, present to me what the changes are coming, sure.
But under absolutely NO CIRCUMSTANCES is Firefox, or any other program for that matter, to modify itself or any other element of this computer without my positive consent.
Thanks a bunch!
$ cat /etc/os-release NAME="Ubuntu" VERSION="18.04.1 LTS (Bionic Beaver)" ID=ubuntu ID_LIKE=debian PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS" VERSION_ID="18.04" HOME_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/" SUPPORT_URL="https://help.ubuntu.com/" BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/" PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy" VERSION_CODENAME=bionic UBUNTU_CODENAME=bionic
All Replies (5)
Have you tried: Type about:preferences#advanced<enter> in the address bar. Under Advanced, Select Update.
[v56+]; Type about:preferences#general<enter> in the address bar. Select Update.
Check the settings. "Do Not Check For Updates."
Also turn off Use a background service to install updates <Windows Only>
How do you completely turn off update checks in Firefox v64? You can use a policies.json file to disable updates for all users. https://github.com/mozilla/policy-templates/blob/master/README.md
I just created a new account on this computer.
The first thing I did was go to Firefox > Options > Advanced ?> NO UPDATES.
Guess what. It updated.
I've easily lost four work days of time in the first 8 months of 2019 because of FIrefox updates. I need a way to stop them. ALL updates. FOREVER. ALL UPDATES UNCONDITIONALLY BLOCKED.
The ways described above don't cut it. So let's think unconventionally. Is there a file I can set the protections on, so Firefox's update balks and gives up? Can I create a file that has a name that Firefox update expects, and give that file some content or property so that Firefox update fails?
@BostonBowTie
The OP (halflete) that created this thread was using the Firefox version from the Ubuntu repositories. If you use that version then updates are managed by Ubuntu software management and not by Firefox (you can possibly install Firefox in a location that requires root access).
Because you mention "Options" it sounds that you are on the Windows platform. In that case you would have to use a policies.json file like posted above.
You can find a description of available policies in this article.
We are users, not the developers. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/customizing-firefox-using-policiesjson is not helpful. Write for your audience. Where is "the Firefox installation directory?"
@ BostonBowTie
Best is to start a new thread for your question.
Then you can provide more information like your operating system and Firefox version.