Firefox 5 is a security update to Firefox 4.0.1. Firefox 4 will not be updated for known security issues. Firefox 4 is no longer supported. The only versions currently supported are 3.6.18 and 5.0.

You are better off staying with Firefox 3.6.18 if you do not want Firefox 5.0. Firefox 3.6.18 is currently scheduled for continued support for the next 2-3 months.

Which extensions do you have that are not compatible with Firefox 5?

You need to update the following. The Plugin version(s) shown below was/were submitted with your question and is/are out of date. You should update to avoid known security issues with the version(s) you have installed. Click on "More system info..." to the right of your question to see what was included with your question.

• Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in, version 11.5.9.620

1. Check your plugin versions on either of the following links':
   • http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
   • https://www-trunk.stage.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
   • Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions
   • There are plugin specific testing links available from this page:
     • http://kb.mozillazine.org/Testing_plugins
2. Update Shockwave for Director
   • NOTE: this is not the same as Shockwave Flash; this installs the Shockwave Player.
   • Use Firefox to download and SAVE the installer to your hard drive from the link in the article below (Desktop is a good place so you can find it).
   • When the download is complete, exit Firefox (File > Exit)
   • locate and double-click in the installer you just downloaded, let the install complete.
   • Restart Firefox and check your plugins again.
   • Download link and more information: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Shockwave+plugin+with+Firefox

Thanks for that. I came to the same conclusion with the v.4 release: too many problems and issues in general. Thanks for the tip on plug-in updates: Flash has a security update every week or so, and I usually forget to check.

Plug-ins with potential/reported/known incompatibility with v. 5 are some that are critical to my work: IE Tab 2, Web Developer, Firebug, Colorzilla, Webmail Notifier, etc etc etc.

I guess I'll stick with 3.6.18 for a while LONGER, as it's a last know stable/good version....

I have had no problems with versions 4 or 5.

I had to change a few "no longer supported" extensions to others with similar functionality, but I do not use the specific ones you listed. Some of the extension developers just stop updating as they are doing it for their love of computing, which I suppose just turns sour. Extension development is time consuming and can carry some monetary costs for the developers, and the extensions are mostly free, especially those on the Mozilla Add-ons site.

To repeat, Firefox 3.6.18 is currently scheduled for continued support for the next 2-3 months and Firefox 6 will probably be released around that time too.

Just to follow up, Firefox apparently downloaded v. 5 against my wishes, as it automatically installed when I open the browser this afternoon. To my relief, all of the add-ons I was concerned about seem to work OK. Whew! And I actually DO like the revised interface, the app tabs, the Awesome bar, etc. Just kind of disturbing that Mozilla is getting more like Microsoft, cramming stuff down users throats. Them NOT doing that was what turned me on to FF in the first place. Maybe time to test fly another browser...

BTW, one plug-in I had, "Yahoo Application State Plug-In v 1.0.0.5," which was permanently disabled by Mozilla in FF v. 3+, is now enabled. I'm not even sure what it does, and whether I need it, but apparently its toxicity is no longer an issue in FF v. 5.

I lost several of my add-ons. Yahoo toolbar being the most important. If Firefox doesn't cough up a place to download 4.0, I'm going to Explorer. They just took a great browser and completely ruined it.

mrnews54:

1. You can turn off automatic updates, but you may miss an important security update, just as Firefox 5 is a stability and security update to Firefox 4.0.1. Firefox 4 versions are no longer supported and contain security issues that will not be corrected.
   • To set Firefox Updates Options, go to Options > Advanced > Update and set your options. See article below for an explanation of the settings.
   • https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Options%20window%20-%20Advanced%20panel
   • Link to all Options panels and explanations: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Options%20window
2. As for Yahoo Application State Plug-In, you can post on the Yahoo forum or explore the Yahoo pages for an answer. I do not use such add-ons (toolbars, plug-ins, etc.) from Yahoo, Google, etc.
3. So that other users can find solutions to previously asked Firefox support questions, please take a couple of minutes to return to the forum, sign in and click "Solved" next to my F I R S T reply A B O V E. Thanks.

joken8:

1. Keep in mind that your attitude is important when requesting FREE assistance, so cool it.
2. A link to Firefox 4 versions will not be offered by any responsible contributor here, because Firefox 4 versions contain stability and security issues that will not be corrected. Firefox 4 is a thing of the past.
3. The only currently supported versions that a responsible contributor here will offer are Firefox 5 and Firefox 3.6.18. Firefox 3.6.18 is currently scheduled for support for only 2-3 more months, then it, too, will be a thing of the past. Firefox 6 will probably be introduced about the time the Firefox 3.6.18 support is discontinued.
4. To downgrade to Firefox 3.6.18, follow these instructions very carefully:
   • Back up your personal information (bookmarks, passwords, etc.) before proceeding just in case something goes wrong: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Backing%20up%20your%20information
     • If you need to, see the following article. See the last 2 sections "Copying files between profile folders" and "Your important data and their files" to restore important information if something goes wrong in the downgrade: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Recovering%20important%20data%20from%20an%20old%20profile
   • Download and SAVE Firefox 3.6.18 to your Desktop, then proceed as in the "Clean re-install" article below: https://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-older.html
   • Clean re-install: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Clean_reinstall
   • You may also need to reset your extension databases in your profile folder. Do the procedure after locating your profile folder (see "Back up your personal information" above) and closing Firefox. The files will be automatically re-built when you re-start Firefox: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_install_themes_or_extensions_-_Firefox#Corrupt_extension_files

Helper7677: Thanks for all the info; I am staying with v. 5 for the time being, despite some buggy toolbar management (FF, not add-ons), which I addressed in a separate thread. I've actually managed to finally get the v. 5 interface to look almost exactly like the v. 3.6 one, with a couple of tiny changes. I find the "awesome" bar, app tabs, tab groups, and similar "enhancements" unhelpful. But then I rarely have more than 3-4 tabs open at one time.

You're right about most of the Yahoo/Google add-ons; generally they're NOT a good idea. The only add-ons I actually use, and depend on, are: Firebug, Web Developer, IE Tab 2, ColorZilla, and Webmail Notifier. All work perfectly in v. 5.

In a head-to-head comparison (FF v. 5 vs IE v. 8) there's no question that FF is still light-years ahead of IE in terms of useability and performance.

Hi joken8, I agree the old version was superior in all aspects, but please remember that those who help on this forum are not paid Mozilla employees, we are volunteers who logon to try to offer help to other Firefox browser users. If you wish to supply Feedback to those who are freely working on this browser for the benefit of all, then please use this facility. To find the Feedback scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Contact Us. You will locate a further link on that page that gives you the opportunity to give direct feedback to the developers.

Here you go: http://4rapiddev.com/tips-and-tricks/downgrade-firefox-5-to-previous-version-version-4-or-version-3/

Wow, THANKS jmtulos, you posted the only actual real answer to my original question! I've got a MIX 100.7 FM t-shirt with your name on it, LOL. Just kidding; thanks.

I was considering reverting to v. 3.6.18, since it always worked flawlessly for me, but my v. 5 seems fairly stable at present, and all of my add-ons actually do work. But all the browser "enhancements" that were added are useless to me, and I don't utilize them. (Although the invisible security improvements are a very good thing.) So my v. 5 browser gui now looks exactly like my 3.6 did. Although the v. 5 does seem to be about 0.01 nanoseconds faster, LOL...