cyberfool
asked on
Need to disable autoupdate on firefox for ALL users.
I administer a couple of dozen Windows machines, all of which are in a domain. Most users are NOT administrators, and hence do NOT have the permissions to update FFox & TBird. However, they are still prompted when an update is available, asking if they want to install the update.
If they choose to install the update, it of course fails. But ever after they get a message: S/W update failed. One or more files could not be updated. Please make sure all other apps are closed and that you have permissions to modify files and then restart firefox and try again.
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So I need to disable autoupdate on each of these machines. The problem is that I need to do it once PER MACHINE. I have 12 machines that are used by any of 24 different people. I know how to disable autoupdate on one machine for one account. However, in the above example, I have 12 x 24 accounts in which to change it. That leaves something like 288 times I have to disable this. I need to change the setting once for every user of that machine. How can I do that? Is there some registry hack? Maybe a command to put in the script that everyone runs?
If they choose to install the update, it of course fails. But ever after they get a message: S/W update failed. One or more files could not be updated. Please make sure all other apps are closed and that you have permissions to modify files and then restart firefox and try again.
~~
So I need to disable autoupdate on each of these machines. The problem is that I need to do it once PER MACHINE. I have 12 machines that are used by any of 24 different people. I know how to disable autoupdate on one machine for one account. However, in the above example, I have 12 x 24 accounts in which to change it. That leaves something like 288 times I have to disable this. I need to change the setting once for every user of that machine. How can I do that? Is there some registry hack? Maybe a command to put in the script that everyone runs?
ASKER
This recommendation seemed promising until I looked at the files that are actually involved with version 2.0.0.x.
I was unable to find the following files:
active-update.xml
updates.xml
I looked in c:\program files\mozilla firefox\ and all directories below that directory.
In the event that I misunderstood the meaning of "installation directory" I went back and looked at the
file(s) used to initiate the installation. It is only a single .exe file.
I was able to find the following file:
updater.ini
and the folder: updates
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Below is an excerpt from the web page:
This is how I solved it, Hope some of you benefits too. go to firefox install folder
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox (in my system)
Delete following files
active-update.xml
updates.xml
updater.ini
and updates folder
I was unable to find the following files:
active-update.xml
updates.xml
I looked in c:\program files\mozilla firefox\ and all directories below that directory.
In the event that I misunderstood the meaning of "installation directory" I went back and looked at the
file(s) used to initiate the installation. It is only a single .exe file.
I was able to find the following file:
updater.ini
and the folder: updates
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Below is an excerpt from the web page:
This is how I solved it, Hope some of you benefits too. go to firefox install folder
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox (in my system)
Delete following files
active-update.xml
updates.xml
updater.ini
and updates folder
Ok then try this:
open the textfile
c:\windows\system32\driver
and add the entry
72.14.207.99 aus2.mozilla.org (actually www.google.com)
Then firefox (help -> check for updates) will report that the update xml file is incorrect and exit.
This at least keeps the users away from unwanted autoupdates.
Tolomir
open the textfile
c:\windows\system32\driver
and add the entry
72.14.207.99 aus2.mozilla.org (actually www.google.com)
Then firefox (help -> check for updates) will report that the update xml file is incorrect and exit.
This at least keeps the users away from unwanted autoupdates.
Tolomir
ASKER
Tolomir,
I appreciate your suggestions, however this train of thought misses an important point. I (as administrator) need to be able to update this software through manual initiation. So if I break the ability to update the mozilla s/w manually I'll be stuck on a particular version of Mozilla. I guess what I'm saying is: I need to disable "autoupdates", not all "updates".
I appreciate your suggestions, however this train of thought misses an important point. I (as administrator) need to be able to update this software through manual initiation. So if I break the ability to update the mozilla s/w manually I'll be stuck on a particular version of Mozilla. I guess what I'm saying is: I need to disable "autoupdates", not all "updates".
Alright, then you might find this useful:
http://www.frontmotion.com/Firefox/fmfirefox.htm
FrontMotion Firefox Community Edition is a customized Firefox with the ability to lockdown settings through Active Directory using Administrative Templates. Similar to lockdown settings with mozilla.cfg on one computer, you can now use Administrative Templates to enforce settings across your organization. Two templates are provided to allow common and advanced settings. Additionally, these installers can upgrade our Mozilla Firefox MSI.
Autoupdate is disabled!
http://www.frontmotion.com/Firefox/fmfirefox.htm
FrontMotion Firefox Community Edition is a customized Firefox with the ability to lockdown settings through Active Directory using Administrative Templates. Similar to lockdown settings with mozilla.cfg on one computer, you can now use Administrative Templates to enforce settings across your organization. Two templates are provided to allow common and advanced settings. Additionally, these installers can upgrade our Mozilla Firefox MSI.
Autoupdate is disabled!
Hello,
i had the same problem. I would like to distribute firefox 2.0.0.14 to a couple of WinXP PCs, where the users have no administrations rights. So i had to disable the automatic update on firefox.
After some tests i found out, how to change the default config for the firefox profle.
They a stored in "c:\program files\mozilla firefox\defaults\pref\fire
You can edit this file with e.g. notepad. Simply search for:
pref("app.update.enabled",
pref("extensions.update.en
pref("browser.search.updat
...and change it to false.
Important is, that this file is used at the creation of the user profile. So if there is already a profile at "C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Applic
Regards,
TREXman
i had the same problem. I would like to distribute firefox 2.0.0.14 to a couple of WinXP PCs, where the users have no administrations rights. So i had to disable the automatic update on firefox.
After some tests i found out, how to change the default config for the firefox profle.
They a stored in "c:\program files\mozilla firefox\defaults\pref\fire
You can edit this file with e.g. notepad. Simply search for:
pref("app.update.enabled",
pref("extensions.update.en
pref("browser.search.updat
...and change it to false.
Important is, that this file is used at the creation of the user profile. So if there is already a profile at "C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Applic
Regards,
TREXman
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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http://senthilnayagam.com/home/show/how-to-disable-firefox-update-after-auto-download
Will look for a better solution later.
Tolomir