It's generally not recommended to stop automatic updates because this leaves you open to security flaws but if you want to turn them off for any reason you can go to Options > Advanced then select the "Never check for updates" option as shown in my crude screenshot, now you can go to the about Firefox section and it won't check automatically

Thanks for kind reply, will it be effective if about firefox section already downloaded update and I choose never check from option afterwards??

I'm a bit confused about your last question. Are you saying that it downloaded the update and already installed it? If that's the case and you want an older version of Firefox then I would just re-download the version of Firefox of your choosing and remove the shortcut that leads to the updated Firefox, it should keep all your settings too!

I have the problem too. It seems like every day I have to uninstall version 29 -- which I do not like -- and reinstall an earlier version. I have automatic updates turned off. Windows 7.

There should be a separate location where you can check for an update, where Mozilla outlines what is in the update... and once having reviewed the information about the new update, and found it agreeable, install it.

This automatic update the moment I dare click on "About Firefox" hijacks my rights as a computer user. What goes on my system is MY choice not anyone else's and I don't appreciate this.

I have been forced to disable the update code inside the core of Firefox by editing things. I shouldn't have to do that because of whoever decided that Mozilla should ignore user's rights to determine what they install on their machine.

Also I don't appreciate the patronizing bullcrap that is continuously repeated about refusing to update and using older versions "puts your System and personal data at an increased risk." Most updates are about feature X or Y. It has nothing to do with security.

We refuse to update when the update isn't of sufficient quality to be worth our time, or you have removed functionality.

If files already have been downloaded then remove the files in the updates and updates\0 folder. You can also delete the active-update.xml file.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Updates_reported_when_running_newest_version
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Software_Update

• C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Mozilla Firefox\updates
• (%LOCALAPPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Mozilla Firefox\updates)

Note that the "AppData" folder in Windows Vista and later Window 7+ versions and the "Application Data" folder in XP/Win2K are hidden folders.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders

You can also check the Firefox profile folder.

• (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
• (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

Good to know for those who wish to un-do an automatic download.

I continue to assert that the update process is seriously flawed and I will refuse to upgrade until it is repaired as I stated in my comment.

Assert all you want. If the user had properly turned off automatic updates by selecting Never check for updates ..., merely opening About Firefox wouldn't have triggered the "check for updates" and automatic download of the update - a button saying Check for Updates would have appeared instead. Unless the user hit that button the download wouldn't have happened.

Now, as of either Firefox 31 or 32, opening About Firefox doesn't trigger a download of an update if one is available.

Hi

On 14/10/2012 I needed to know the version of Thunderbird I had installed. I clicked 'About Thunderbird' and the latest update started installing, without any prompt from me. I wish to be in control of what is installed and when it's installed on my computer. If I select, "Check for updates, but let me choose whether to install them" in Advanced, Options, will this return control to me?

Figgerty,

You posted in the Firefox support forum. Please start here - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/new/thunderbird - to post a Thunderbird question.