Installing extensions

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Revision as of 10:21, 9 January 2006 by Mozcerize (talk | contribs) (How to install extensions moved to Installing extensions)
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There are several ways of installing extensions, and these depend on how Firefox is used.

If you have any issues related to installation or update of an extension you should first check on the home page for that extension.

Single user

If you are the only person using your machine, or you don't care about other users.

Easy install

The easiest way to install the extension is to click on the Install button. This automatically downloads the extension and installs it against your user configuration.

Don't forget to configure the extension after it is installed.

Alternative install

Instead of clicking the extension to install it, download it and save it. Open Firefox and drag the extension file into the Firefox window. It will be installed.

Multi user

If several people use the machine and are likely to want the same extensions. You can install extensions globally (once) and save user effort and disc space and maintenance effort. Instead of clicking the extension to install it, download it and save it. Repeat the download for as many extensions as you want.

Using shared profiles

If using profiles, a profile can be set to use another profiles directory; just make sure the profile directory is accessible to the other user.

Use the Mr Tech Local extension

Install the Mr Tech Local extension, and use that to configure your extensions for multiple users.

Global install

Having downloaded the extensions you want, open a command / terminal window and type '<path-to-firefox>firefox -install-global-extension "<path-to-extension>extension.xpi" '. This installs the extension to the application directory and will be available to all users.

Don't forget to configure the extension after it is installed - all users may need to do this.

Manual movement of extension installs

If you have installed an extension locally (i.e. single user) or globally and want to move it between users or global access, the files can be manually copied or moved. The preferred way has to be to uninstall and install it properly.

  • THIS IS NOT GUARANTEED, AND MAY BREAK THE EXTENSION - IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY*

In the 'extensions' folder there is one folder per extension, but they are named by their id codes. To tell which is which, they all have a subfolder called 'chrome'. That will give you some readable names that (mostly) refer to the extension.

Copy, or move, the appropriate folders from the 'extensions' folder in one profile to the 'extensions' profile in the second profile.


NOTE: This information is written about Firefox on Windows XP. The technical information may be different for other systems.