Updating add-ons: Difference between revisions
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Firefox and Thunderbird extensions can be updated using the [[Software Update]] feature. To perform an update check: | Firefox and Thunderbird add-ons (extensions and themes) can be updated using the [[Software Update]] feature. To perform an update check: | ||
# Tools -> Add-ons | # Tools -> Add-ons | ||
# Find Updates | # Find Updates | ||
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Settings for automatically checking for updates are under Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Update. | Settings for automatically checking for updates are under Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Update. | ||
==Re-enabling disabled | ==Re-enabling disabled add-ons== | ||
If you update Firefox or Thunderbird and find that an extension which was already installed on your previous version is no longer enabled, it is sometimes possible to re-enable it by going to "Tools -> Add-ons", right-clicking on the extension, selecting "Enable" and then restarting the application. Note, however, that this will not work if the Extension Manager declares the extension to be incompatible with the new version of Firefox or Thunderbird. | If you update Firefox or Thunderbird and find that an extension which was already installed on your previous version is no longer enabled, it is sometimes possible to re-enable it by going to "Tools -> Add-ons", right-clicking on the extension, selecting "Enable" and then restarting the application. Note, however, that this will not work if the Extension Manager declares the extension to be incompatible with the new version of Firefox or Thunderbird. | ||
==Updating incompatible | ==Updating incompatible add-ons for a new application version== | ||
The Add-ons dialog will inform you if an existing extension is incompatible with your current version of Firefox or Thunderbird, and prevent you from enabling it. The first thing to try is to check for updates to see if a new version is available. If one isn't found, you can override the compatibility check, '''but doing so is not recommended because incompatible | The Add-ons dialog will inform you if an existing extension is incompatible with your current version of Firefox or Thunderbird, and prevent you from enabling it. The first thing to try is to check for updates to see if a new version is available. If one isn't found, you can override the compatibility check, '''but doing so is not recommended because incompatible add-ons may break your application.''' If you decide to do it anyway and you then find the application is not behaving properly, you can disable the extension from the Add-ons dialog to get everything working again (from [[Safe Mode]] if necessary). | ||
A more advanced method is available if you want to redistribute the newly-compatible add-on. See [[Editing an add-on to change its compatibility]]. | A more advanced method is available if you want to redistribute the newly-compatible add-on. See [[Editing an add-on to change its compatibility]]. | ||
===Completely disabling the compatibility check=== | ===Completely disabling the compatibility check=== | ||
The simplest solution is to disable version checking for all | The simplest solution is to disable version checking for all add-ons by setting the [[extensions.checkCompatibility]] setting to false in Firefox and Thunderbird 2.0 and later. | ||
# Firefox users can type about:config in the address bar and press Enter. Thunderbird users can use the [[Modify_Thunderbird_settings | Config Editor]]. | # Firefox users can type about:config in the address bar and press Enter. Thunderbird users can use the [[Modify_Thunderbird_settings | Config Editor]]. | ||
# Right-click -> New -> Boolean | # Right-click -> New -> Boolean | ||
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*[http://www.mrtech.com/extensions/local_install/index.html Mr Tech Local Install]. | *[http://www.mrtech.com/extensions/local_install/index.html Mr Tech Local Install]. | ||
==Disabling update checks for individual | ==Disabling update checks for individual add-ons (Advanced)== | ||
It is possible to prevent individual | It is possible to prevent individual add-ons from updating automatically even when you have the Software Update feature enabled. To do so: | ||
* Find the GUID for the extension. GUIDs are either e-mail addresses or a bunch of random characters inside { } brackets. The folders named after extension GUIDs are in in the extensions folder of the [[profile folder]]. You can look at the install.rdf file in each folder to see what extension it's for. | * Find the GUID for the extension. GUIDs are either e-mail addresses or a bunch of random characters inside { } brackets. The folders named after extension GUIDs are in in the extensions folder of the [[profile folder]]. You can look at the install.rdf file in each folder to see what extension it's for. | ||
* Type about:config in the address bar and press enter. | * Type about:config in the address bar and press enter. | ||
Revision as of 17:10, 11 June 2007
Firefox and Thunderbird add-ons (extensions and themes) can be updated using the Software Update feature. To perform an update check:
- Tools -> Add-ons
- Find Updates
Settings for automatically checking for updates are under Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Update.
Re-enabling disabled add-ons
If you update Firefox or Thunderbird and find that an extension which was already installed on your previous version is no longer enabled, it is sometimes possible to re-enable it by going to "Tools -> Add-ons", right-clicking on the extension, selecting "Enable" and then restarting the application. Note, however, that this will not work if the Extension Manager declares the extension to be incompatible with the new version of Firefox or Thunderbird.
Updating incompatible add-ons for a new application version
The Add-ons dialog will inform you if an existing extension is incompatible with your current version of Firefox or Thunderbird, and prevent you from enabling it. The first thing to try is to check for updates to see if a new version is available. If one isn't found, you can override the compatibility check, but doing so is not recommended because incompatible add-ons may break your application. If you decide to do it anyway and you then find the application is not behaving properly, you can disable the extension from the Add-ons dialog to get everything working again (from Safe Mode if necessary).
A more advanced method is available if you want to redistribute the newly-compatible add-on. See Editing an add-on to change its compatibility.
Completely disabling the compatibility check
The simplest solution is to disable version checking for all add-ons by setting the extensions.checkCompatibility setting to false in Firefox and Thunderbird 2.0 and later.
- Firefox users can type about:config in the address bar and press Enter. Thunderbird users can use the Config Editor.
- Right-click -> New -> Boolean
- Name: extensions.checkCompatibility
- Value: false
Users of versions previous to 2.0 can use the preference app.extensions.version.
Extensions that force compatibility
The following extensions offer the ability to disable compatiblity checking both globally and per extension. These extensions have other features, adds other menu commands, and may change the title bar. They're not designed just to disable version checking.
Disabling update checks for individual add-ons (Advanced)
It is possible to prevent individual add-ons from updating automatically even when you have the Software Update feature enabled. To do so:
- Find the GUID for the extension. GUIDs are either e-mail addresses or a bunch of random characters inside { } brackets. The folders named after extension GUIDs are in in the extensions folder of the profile folder. You can look at the install.rdf file in each folder to see what extension it's for.
- Type about:config in the address bar and press enter.
- Right-click -> New -> Boolean
- Name: extensions.GUID.update.enabled
- Value: false
