This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

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

How do I stop Firefox from sending update reminders on already installed version

  • 9 replies
  • 33 have this problem
  • 11 views
  • Last reply by Windmaker

more options

I currently have Firefox 3.6.4 installed, but I keep getting reminder notices (windows) telling me that an update to 3.6.4 is available. The one time I clicked on the update it was still running after an hour.

Is this possible an intruder using a Firefox camouflage to gain access to my computer, or is it a flaw in the Firefox software?

I currently have Firefox 3.6.4 installed, but I keep getting reminder notices (windows) telling me that an update to 3.6.4 is available. The one time I clicked on the update it was still running after an hour. Is this possible an intruder using a Firefox camouflage to gain access to my computer, or is it a flaw in the Firefox software?

All Replies (9)

more options

The current version is 3.6.13, so unless you turn off the update notification you should be informed of an update.

If you want to turn off the updates, in the Tools menu select Options, then in the Options dialog go to the Advanced panel. Select the Updates tab and uncheck the option to look for updates for Firefox.

If you want to install the latest version, you can download the installer from http://www.mozilla.com/ and install it on top of your current version.

more options

I don't know what to make of your contention that the current version is 3.6.13. I've had 3.6.4 for some time now, and in fact I just got a notice of the beta 4 and installed it but my Yahoo toolbar disappeared and some other factors, so I quickly reloaded the 3.6.4 version.

I also don't really want to turn off (all) updates. That would essentially be throwing out the baby with the bath water....not a good idea, but I appreciate your mentioning it as a suggestion to get the unwanted update stopped.

What doesn't make any sense is why would Firefox keep notifying me to update to a version already installed...that's the essential question.

Thanks just the same

more options

On your original post, you had version 3.6.4, this is an old version, the current release version is 3.6.13 which is why you were being informed of updates being available.

Firefox 4 is still in development and is likely to be released around March. There are beta versions available for testing, and the latest beta version is Firefox 4 beta 11

more options

I apologize then. I presumed because the version number 3.6.13 was a lower figure than 3.6.4 that it was the older version. It is customary for newer versions to increase the size of their number ID, not the other way around.

One other thing that you haven't addressed is that I said that the one time I tried running the update it kept running and running, so I left the computer and unfortunately forgot about it. The next time I sat down, an hour or more later, the "update" was still downloading. That scared the hell out of me because obviously no browser takes that long to download, so I never tested the download prompt again. I've attached the window that comes up both automatically on a sporadic basis, and also when I click on "check for updates" menu item under the "Help" file. Why does Firefox tell me that the update is for 3.6.4 security and stability fixes rather than what you claim is the newer version of 3.6.13? Do you know of any other way to obtain 3.6.13 than by using the "update" process?

more options

The way the numbering works, Firefox 3.6.4 is Firefox 3.6 minor update 4 and 3.6.13 is 3.6 minor update 13. To add to the confusion, for technical reasons occasionally a version number may be skipped, there was no 3.6.1 or 3.6.5

You can install, 3.6.13 by downloading it from http://www.mozilla.com/ and installing it on top of 3.6.4.

Installing the latest version by downloading the full installer should overcome the problem of the update not working. If you still get update problems see this link - http://kb.mozillazine.org/Software_Update

Modified by TonyE

more options

Thanks to an explanation on the numbering. I'm guilty of assuming incorrectly that 3.6.13 was 3.6.1.3 instead, and therefore lower than 3.6.4. 13 is definitely higher than 4 in my neighborhood also...ha! Duhhhhh!

How do I download, as you phrased it, the full installer? Are you suggesting going to the Mozilla website and downloading Firefox as if I were a newbie? I'd be losing all my personal settings wouldn't I? I do know you can save your settings, but would they be replaceable in a new version also?

more options

Installing 3.6.13 will not remove your bookmarks, passwords or other settings, they are stored in the profile folder which is separate from the installation folder. Firefox 3.6.13 will then use the same user data that 3.6.4 was using.

When you go to http://www.mozilla.com/ click on the green Firefox 3.6 download button, this will save the setup file (Firefox Setup 3.6.13.exe) onto your computer. You can then run that file to install 3.6.13, this will install replace 3.6.4

more options

To TonyE ~ Thanks so much for your help on this matter. I've got to run right now, but I'll do as you suggested later and post a response when I do.

Thanks again!

more options

To: TonyE

Just wanted to thank you again and let you know that I successfully loaded version 3.6.13 and that I strongly suspect that the 3.6.4 update prompts will cease also. I'm kinda wondering, however, why Firefox never notified me of the update availability of the above version. I have my preferences set to be notified of all available updates first, but not to load them automatically.

And once again, please forgive my brain burp on the version numbering (I think there's another word than "burp" that's commonly used, but this is a public forum after all) but I'm 67 years old and the gray matter ain't what it used to be...more mental "burps" occurring every day....ah, well.

Thanks again for all your help. Dick H.