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

Why has Firefox jumped so many major version numbers?

more options

I was running version 4.0.1. When it asked to download an update, it switched directly to version 7.0.1. Why has Firefox jumped so many major version numbers? That big of a jump is suspicious. What gives?

I was running version 4.0.1. When it asked to download an update, it switched directly to version 7.0.1. Why has Firefox jumped so many major version numbers? That big of a jump is suspicious. What gives?

All Replies (3)

more options

It not suspicious, you just missed the 5.0.* and 6.0.* releases ;)

more options
more options

Okay, I have read the linked documents and it all just seems like a game of numbers or trying to get the version above IE. Before long we will be at v56.0.1. As a software developer, if I only released versions like 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, etc, (which would be paid updates) and I did that every 6 weeks, my user base would grow tired of it quickly. Especially in the corporate environment where each new major release has to be vetted all over again.

Then there is the issues of dumping support for add-ons with each major revision. The add-ons I use are add-ons I need, and now they are going to be gone every six weeks. That's unacceptable. Not to mention that add-on developers may just quit in frustration.

Is it possible to find downloadable stable releases of prior versions WITH add-on support? Can I go back to 4.0.1 somewhere?

Thanks.