Updating add-ons: Difference between revisions

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==Updating compatible but not installable extensions for a new application version==
==Updating compatible but not installable extensions for a new application version==


In some cases extensions that are compatible with the latest version of Firefox or Thunderbird cannot be installed simply because the "installer.rdf" file has the "wrong" version number. If this is the only problem, it can be cured very easily like this:
If you're updating Firefox or Thunderbird and the extension was already installed on your previous version, it is sometimes possible to re-enable it by going to "Tools -> Extensions", right-clicking on the extension, selecting "Enable" and then restarting the application.


* extract the according .xpi-file (they are simply zipped files with a .xpi-extension, so you should be able to use something like unzip or Stuffit-expander (on mac) for extraction)
In some cases extensions that are compatible with the latest version of Firefox or Thunderbird cannot be installed simply because the extension hasn't yet been repackaged with the newer version number. If this is the only problem, it can usually be cured very easily like this:


* edit the '''install.rdf''' - file. There should be a tagline like this (maybe with another revision-number):
# Download to your computer a copy of the extension (the ".xpi" file).
'''<em:maxVersion>0.10</em:maxVersion>'''
# Extract (unzip) the .xpi file. It is simply a zipped file with an .xpi extension, so you should be able to use something like unzip or Stuffit-expander (on Mac) to extract it.
# Open the "install.rdf" file with a text editor such as Notepad. Find a tagline like this showing the "maxVersion" number (in this case 1.0, but it may differ depending on the extension): '''<em:maxVersion>1.0</em:maxVersion>'''
# Change the "1.0" to "1.5" or whatever you need. That tells the installer that the version can be installed with the corresponding version number of Firefox or Thunderbird.
# Optionally, to indicate that you modified the extension for your own private use, you can also edit the lines describing the author/contributor and version of the extension.
# Save the changes you made to the install.rdf file.
# Create a zip archive containing all the files that were in the original .xpi file, including your modified install.rdf file. Rename it to "myExt.xpi" or whatever you like. The crucial thing here is to use ".xpi" for the file extension.
# Strongly recommended: before installing the extension, make a temporary [[profile backup | backup]] of your [[profile folder]] or at least of the "extensions" folder inside your profile folder, which contains the installed extensions. That way, if something goes wrong, you can revert the changes easily.
# Finally, install the extension: If it's a Firefox extension, open the .xpi file from Firefox and it should install. If it's a Thunderbird extension, install it via the "Tools -> Extension" menu.


* change the "0.10" to "1.0" or whatever you need. That tells the installer that the version can be installed with the 1.0-Firefox-version
If Firefox/Thunderbird won't start up properly after you've installed an incompatible extension, try starting up in [[Safe Mode]], going to "Tools -> Extensions", and uninstalling the extension.
 
* '''this is purely optional but I think a good idea:''' you could also edit the lines describing the version and author/contributor of the extension. I do that just because I want to be remembered that I changed the extension for my own private purpose
 
* create a zip-archive containing all the files that have been in the original xpi-file, '''together with your edited install.rdf file'''. Rename it to something like "myExt.xpi" or whatever you like. The only important thing in here is ".xpi"
 
* open the file from firefox and it should install
 
'''Be warned though:''' Especially if you install a very outdated extension, it might very well be that the extension doesn't work or something goes wrong in the firefox-folder because some internal things in Firefox have changed. Therefore '''you probably should make a backup of the folder, containing the installed extensions.''' Just make a copy of the firefox extension folder. On macs this is found within the user/library/Application Support/ - folder. On Windows 2000 (and probably on XP as well) it is something like ''C'':\Documents and Settings\''username''\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\''somethingOrOther''\extensions\ where the italicized portions are system dependant. I don't know where this folder is found on other systems. '''Maybe a user on other systems could update this artictle to show the location of the folder on their system?'''
 
I also found out that even if the main Firefox-window doesn't open after installing an incompatible extension you can often still open the extension-window and deinstall the wrong version and everything works again.
 
If you're just updating Firefox, and the extension was already installed on your previous version, it is sometimes possible to re-enable it. In Tools->Extensions right click on it and select Enable and then restarting Firefox.


[[Category:Installation and update (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Installation and update (Firefox)]]

Revision as of 12:23, 6 November 2005

Automatic updating of extensions

You can configure Firefox and Thunderbird to update your extensions and themes automatically. (This is part of the Software Update feature.)

Disable auto-update for individual extensions

It is possible to prevent individual extensions from updating automatically even when you have the Software Update feature enabled. Further details can be found here.

This section is a stub. You can help MozillaZine Knowledge Base by expanding it.

Updating compatible but not installable extensions for a new application version

If you're updating Firefox or Thunderbird and the extension was already installed on your previous version, it is sometimes possible to re-enable it by going to "Tools -> Extensions", right-clicking on the extension, selecting "Enable" and then restarting the application.

In some cases extensions that are compatible with the latest version of Firefox or Thunderbird cannot be installed simply because the extension hasn't yet been repackaged with the newer version number. If this is the only problem, it can usually be cured very easily like this:

  1. Download to your computer a copy of the extension (the ".xpi" file).
  2. Extract (unzip) the .xpi file. It is simply a zipped file with an .xpi extension, so you should be able to use something like unzip or Stuffit-expander (on Mac) to extract it.
  3. Open the "install.rdf" file with a text editor such as Notepad. Find a tagline like this showing the "maxVersion" number (in this case 1.0, but it may differ depending on the extension): <em:maxVersion>1.0</em:maxVersion>
  4. Change the "1.0" to "1.5" or whatever you need. That tells the installer that the version can be installed with the corresponding version number of Firefox or Thunderbird.
  5. Optionally, to indicate that you modified the extension for your own private use, you can also edit the lines describing the author/contributor and version of the extension.
  6. Save the changes you made to the install.rdf file.
  7. Create a zip archive containing all the files that were in the original .xpi file, including your modified install.rdf file. Rename it to "myExt.xpi" or whatever you like. The crucial thing here is to use ".xpi" for the file extension.
  8. Strongly recommended: before installing the extension, make a temporary backup of your profile folder or at least of the "extensions" folder inside your profile folder, which contains the installed extensions. That way, if something goes wrong, you can revert the changes easily.
  9. Finally, install the extension: If it's a Firefox extension, open the .xpi file from Firefox and it should install. If it's a Thunderbird extension, install it via the "Tools -> Extension" menu.

If Firefox/Thunderbird won't start up properly after you've installed an incompatible extension, try starting up in Safe Mode, going to "Tools -> Extensions", and uninstalling the extension.