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Disable update popup?

  • 6 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 796 views
  • Last reply by Jason

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Users have been complaining about update nags for several years, and when a solution is found via about:config, Mozilla typically puts a spanner in the works and deletes the relevant config items like 'app.update.silent', 'app.update.doorhanger... etc.

I just want to remove the popup, not the ability to update. I'll update when I'm good and ready, and I don't need a popup each and every day nagging me to do so.

If Mozilla must ape Chrome, then aping Chrome's non-nagging update policy would be a good move.

FF 85.0.2

Users have been complaining about update nags for several years, and when a solution is found via about:config, Mozilla typically puts a spanner in the works and deletes the relevant config items like 'app.update.silent', 'app.update.doorhanger... etc. I just want to remove the popup, not the ability to update. I'll update when I'm good and ready, and I don't need a popup each and every day nagging me to do so. If Mozilla must ape Chrome, then aping Chrome's non-nagging update policy would be a good move. FF 85.0.2

Modified by Jason

Chosen solution

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 or https://winaero.com/blog/disable-updates-firefox-63-above/

You can use a policies.json file in the distribution folder in the Firefox installation folder instead as also listed in the article, so no need to use GPO keys in the Windows Registry. • https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/customizing-firefox-using-policiesjson

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Chosen Solution

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 or https://winaero.com/blog/disable-updates-firefox-63-above/

You can use a policies.json file in the distribution folder in the Firefox installation folder instead as also listed in the article, so no need to use GPO keys in the Windows Registry. • https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/customizing-firefox-using-policiesjson

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So the only way to get rid of the popup is to completely disable updates? Throwing the baby out with the bathwater comes to mind.

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Some time ago, the 'Powers That Be' decided to remove the 'Do Not Update' option.

Me, I am still using v54. So far no real problems. (I did not like where Quamtom was going)

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I was going along swimmingly with v47 until Google Search suddenly appeared in mobile format - disastrous for my Google Books searches which relies on custom date. I bit the bullet and updated.

Winaero's ready-made disable/enable registry fix is painless, so thanks for that.

Modified by Jason

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If you use the policy to disable updates then you won't be able to update from within Firefox. You would have to disable the policy ("DisableAppUpdate": false) or install the full version (this will override the distribution folder and thus remove policies.json).

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The downloadable registration entries enables and disables updates in seconds. I'm sure Mozilla will find a way of stopping this in future versions of FF, but if they had the savvy to realise folk don't like to be nagged then we wouldn't need to disable anything.