How To Update The Mozilla Firefox Browser - Why And When Is It Done, Check The Existing Version And Install The Latest

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-19 10:46

Updating Mozilla Firefox: how to download it and what to do when errors occur

Usually, users only think about updating their browser when something goes wrong: the speed of loading web pages is slowing down, the response to mouse clicks is slowing down, etc. But beginners may not know how to install updates correctly and often need help. Today we will take a closer look at the process of updating the Firefox Internet browser with the necessary explanations for each step.

Content

• 1 Preparing to update the Mozilla Firefox browser

  • 1.1 Why update your browser
  • 1.2 How to check your current Firefox version

• 2 How to update your browser for free

  • 2.1 Updating directly through the Mozilla Firefox browser menu
  • 2.2 Via the official website

• 3 What problems may arise during the update and how to solve them

  • 3.1 Upgrade process stuck due to internet problems
  • 3.2 Updates are not installed due to the presence of processes that prevent installation
  • 3.3 How to close applications that interfere with browser refresh in the "Task Manager"
  • 3.4 How to run the browser as administrator

Preparing to update the Mozilla Firefox browser

According to the developers, Mozilla Firefox is one step ahead of other browsers in the competitive race. Its official website says that Firefox uses 30% less memory than Chrome, runs twice as fast and also protects users from tracking.

Why update your browser

Like any other program, Firefox should be updated regularly, that is, after each new version is released. Why?

1. For security reasons: malware is updated frequently, and old methods of protection do not work for newer versions of viruses. Developers analyze emerging viruses and find means of protection against them. Thus, PC security depends on regular browser updates. At the same time, of course, one should not forget about the main antivirus on the computer - leaving the device without it is extremely dangerous.
2. New features: with the release of the next versions, the program has new options and settings.
3. Improved stability and quality of work: the updated browser responds perfectly to mouse clicks, quickly loads pages. In new versions of the program, all errors of the old versions are usually already fixed.

Of course, not all users are happy with the latest versions: errors and crashes can also occur in them. Someone may not like the new look of the browser, while others may not like new features or the unavailability of old ones. However, the experience of the author of the article still says that it is necessary to update. In addition, if you notice that the browser has started to fail, then I recommend informing the technical support of Mozilla about them. Specialists will definitely answer your question if it is polite and constructive. Before reporting a problem, please read the rules for submitting questions.

How to check your current Firefox version

If you notice Firefox is slowing down, clear your browser cache and browsing history, then check the current version to see if it needs an update. Follow these steps to check the version:

1. Launch Firefox and click on the menu icon (three horizontal lines in the upper right corner).

2. Select the "Help" block in the list.

   

   Open the Firefox browser menu by clicking on the icon in the upper right corner

3. Go to the About Firefox section.

   

   Select "About Firefox"

4. In the new window, you will see the version number in dotted numbers under the Firefox Quantum heading.

The current version number is displayed directly below the Firefox Quantum window title

How to update your browser for free

You can get a new version of Firefox in the browser itself or on the official website of the program. The second method takes a little longer.

Updating directly from the Mozilla Firefox browser menu

The browser menu sections have options that allow you to quickly run a check for available updates and then immediately install them if available.

1. Go to the "About Firefox" section, as described above in the paragraph about the current version of the browser. This will automatically start searching for updates.

   

   When you enter the About Firefox Help section, the browser automatically searches for available updates

2. If the browser finds an up-to-date update, he will immediately download and install it. As a result, you will see the message: "The latest version of Firefox is installed." Sometimes, to complete the installation, the browser may ask you to click on the line "Restart Firefox"

   

   The browser notifies that its latest version is installed

You can also start searching for updates in the "Settings" section of the menu. For this:

1. Click on the Firefox menu icon.

2. In the list, select the "Settings" item (to the right of the gear icon).

   

   Select the "Settings" section

3. Scroll down to the Firefox Updates section.

   

   Find the Firefox Updates section under Settings

4. Click on the "Check for Updates" button. The program will start searching.

   

   The program started searching for available updates

5. If no updates are found, you will see a message about this in the form of the line "The latest version of Firefox is installed."

   

   The program reported that the latest version of Firefox is installed on the PC

Through the official website

You can also update Firefox by downloading and installing a new version from the official website of Mozilla. It will be free. This method is suitable if the previous one does not work: there is a constant search for updates or the system issues an error message.

1. We go to the official resource Mozilla Firefox.

2. Click on the green "Download Now" button.

   

   To download a new version of the browser, click on the green button

3. The installation file will automatically download. After the download is complete, open it.
4. We allow the application to make changes on the hard drive of the computer, as it is official and reliable.

5. The installation will be done automatically. You just have to wait a few minutes. The installation progress is displayed in a window.

   

   The window will show the progress of the Firefox installation process

Do not worry about the safety of your personal data (bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, etc.): they will not disappear from the browser memory if you install the latest version over the old one. Download the program only from an official and reliable source, otherwise you risk catching a virus.

What problems may arise during the update and how to solve them

The Mozilla Firefox browser is usually updated automatically, but in some cases this may not happen.

Updating process stuck due to internet problems

A common type of error when installing updates is the "Search for updates" message hangs for a long time in the About Firefox window. One of the reasons for this problem is the lack of access to the Internet from your PC.

Solution: check the connection by opening any website in FIrefox or another browser. If there is no connection, restart the router or modem.

Updates are not installed due to processes preventing installation

It happens that the user starts a search for updates, the program detects them and even starts installing, but after a couple of seconds the process is interrupted and the browser displays the error “Update not installed. Make sure no other copies of Firefox are running on your computer."

There are the following solutions to this problem.

1. Close other copies of Firefox running on your computer.
2. Restart your PC and re-check for available updates. The update may not work due to the fact that Firefox was closed incorrectly the last time or because this computer was used by other people under a different account.
3. Closing certain programs. Apps like Logitech QuickCam and Spybot Teatimer often prevent Firefox from updating. Temporarily close these programs in the "Task Manager".
4. Launch Firefox as administrator.
5. Manual update, that is, installing a new version over an old one. See instructions in the section "Via the official website" in this article.

How to close applications that interfere with browser refresh in Task Manager

1. Press the key combination Ctrl + alt=" + Delete on the keyboard. In the menu that opens, find the "Task Manager" section and open it with a double click.

2. In the Processes tab, find the Logitech QuickCam or Spybot Teatimer program, if at least one of them was previously installed on your PC. Select it with the left mouse button and click the "End task" button at the bottom of the window.

   

   Highlight the program you are going to stop and click "End task"

3. Close Task Manager and try updating Firefox again.

How to run the browser as administrator

To run Firefox as administrator, follow these steps:

1. Restart your computer so that all Mozilla Firefox-related processes are ended.

2. From the start menu, enter firefox in the search bar. Find the browser in the results and right-click on it.

   

   Type firefox into the search bar on the Start Menu

3. In the context menu, select the "Run as administrator" item.

   

   Click on the line "Run as administrator"

4. If the "User Account Control" window appears, click on "Continue".
5. Try updating your browser again. The problem must be resolved.

Regular browser updates are necessary as this is a guarantee of security and stability. Newer versions also bring new possibilities in the form of different functions and settings. There are two ways to update the Mozilla Firefox browser: in the program itself by searching for updates or by installing a new version from the official website over the old one. If you have problems with the update, then restart the PC and open the browser as an administrator, and then repeat the update.