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

Disable autoupdates in Firefox

  • 13 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

more options

I don't want to use new firefox version. I need FF 56. I disable autoupdate in options but firefox updates itself anyway. How to fix it?

I don't want to use new firefox version. I need FF 56. I disable autoupdate in options but firefox updates itself anyway. How to fix it?

Chosen solution

Next day it autoupdates again. I tried to monitor it by Procmon utility and finally I've figure out why it occurs. Accidentally I have found corporate protection system (Heimdal Security) which monitors all software installed on my PC and autoupdates it if necessary without any user confirmation. And there is no way to disable it because of group policy settings. So I found that its not Firefox issue but my environment issue.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (13)

more options

First, 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.

Select Never Check For Updates.

Also turn off Use a background service to install updates

more options

It doesn't work for me. Firefox updates itself despite selected options.

more options

Do the options remain as you put them or change back?

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.

more options

The options remain as I put them. "Reset" procedure doesn't help too.

more options

I have no any software which protects Firefox profile against changes.

more options

I called for more help.

more options

FredMcD said

I called for more help.

Noone helped you?

more options

I called again.

more options

Maybe you have the Mozilla Maintenance Service installed on your system.

If that's the case :

To uninstall it, you'll need to scroll down to the section 'Uninstalling the Mozilla Maintenance Service' in this article  :

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/what-mozilla-maintenance-service

more options

Thank you for your efforts, friends! It was helpful! Looks like it fixed the issue!

Here are all my steps that helped to fix the issue (I don't know clearly whether it affects or not but maybe someone find it helpful): 1. Uninstall Firefox (x86) 2. Restart PC 3. Uninstall Firefox (x64) yes, they were both installed on my PC 4. Restart PC 5. Uninstall Mozilla Maintenance Service (while uninstalling an error occured telling me that the service was already removed) 6. Install Firefox 55.0.2 and unselect checkbox to install "Mozilla Maintenance Service"! 7. During first Firefox startup go to Options imediately and verify that checkbox "Never Check For Updates" and "Automatically update search plugins" are unselected. 8. As you unselect Background update service during Firefox installation earlier there is no option "Use a background service to install updates". It's OK.

After all these steps performed it looks like it really doesn't updates itself. But I need more time to prove it.

more options

Round of applause for you, Alexei  !

Keep us informed, will you please  ?

more options

Chosen Solution

Next day it autoupdates again. I tried to monitor it by Procmon utility and finally I've figure out why it occurs. Accidentally I have found corporate protection system (Heimdal Security) which monitors all software installed on my PC and autoupdates it if necessary without any user confirmation. And there is no way to disable it because of group policy settings. So I found that its not Firefox issue but my environment issue.

more options

Well done. Contact its support.