Firefox ESR updates automatically by default, but you can disable this in Settings

Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) is designed for organizations and people who want predictable, infrequent updates. Even so, it checks for updates every time you start the browser and installs them without asking. You can change this behavior in three places: the main Settings panel, the update preferences, and (on some systems) your operating system itself. The method you choose depends on whether you want to stop updates entirely, delay them, or just prevent them from running in the background.

Disabling automatic updates means you are responsible for installing security patches manually. This is a real trade-off: you stay in control of when your browser restarts, but you also have to remember to check for updates yourself. If you go weeks without opening Firefox, you may miss critical security fixes. Most people who disable updates do so because they work in an environment where browser restarts disrupt their workflow, or because they need to test websites on a specific Firefox version.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Firefox Settings, go to the General tab, scroll to Applications, and change the update setting from "Automatically install updates" to "Check for updates but let me choose to install them" or "Never check for updates".
  • If you choose "Check for updates but let me choose", Firefox will notify you when updates are ready but will not install them without your permission.
  • On Windows, macOS, or Linux, you can also prevent Firefox from checking for updates by editing the policies.json file in your Firefox installation directory, which overrides the Settings panel.
  • Disabling updates means you must manually install security patches, which leaves your browser vulnerable if you forget to check for months.
  • If Firefox is installed through your organization's software management system, your IT department may have already locked these settings and you may not be able to change them.

Disable updates through the Settings panel

The simplest way to stop automatic updates is through Firefox Settings. Open Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner, then select Settings. In the left sidebar, click General. Scroll down until you see the "Updates" section, which appears near the bottom of the page.

You will see three radio button options. The first, "Automatically install updates (recommended)", is the default. Click the second option, "Check for updates but let me choose to install them", if you want Firefox to notify you when updates are ready but wait for your permission before installing. Click the third option, "Never check for updates", if you want Firefox to stop looking for updates altogether. After you select your choice, the change takes effect when ready.

The middle option is the most common choice for people who want control without abandoning security entirely. Firefox will show a notification when an update is available, and you can install it at a time that works for you. The third option is riskier: Firefox will not check for updates, so you have to remember to visit the Help menu and click "About Firefox" manually to see if a new version exists.

Prevent updates using the policies.json file

If you need a more permanent way to disable updates — for example, if other users share your computer or if you want to may support the setting does not revert — you can edit Firefox's policies.json file. This file tells Firefox which features to allow or block, and changes made here override the Settings panel.

On Windows, navigate to C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution\ (or C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\distribution\ on 32-bit systems). On macOS, go to /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/Resources/distribution/. On Linux, the path is usually /usr/lib/firefox/distribution/ or /opt/firefox/distribution/, depending on how Firefox was installed. If the distribution folder does not exist, create it.

Inside the distribution folder, create a new file called policies.json (or edit it if it already exists). Open it in a plain text editor like Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (macOS), or gedit (Linux). Add the following lines:

{ "policies": { "AppAutoUpdate": false } }

Save the file and close Firefox completely. When you restart Firefox, automatic updates will be disabled. This setting persists even if you use the Settings panel to change the update option, because the policies.json file takes priority. To re-enable updates, delete or edit the policies.json file and remove the "AppAutoUpdate" line.

Check whether your organization has locked update settings

If Firefox is installed through your workplace, school, or organization's software management system, your IT department may have already disabled updates or locked the Settings panel so you cannot change them. In this case, the Settings panel will show a message like "Some settings are managed by your administrator" or the update options will be grayed out.

If you see this message, you cannot change the update setting yourself. Contact your IT department or help desk and explain what you need. They can either unlock the setting, change it for you, or explain why it is locked (often for security or compatibility reasons). Do not try to edit policies.json if your organization has locked these settings, because doing so may violate your acceptable use policy or cause your device to be flagged as non-compliant.

Understand the security risk of disabling updates

Firefox ESR receives security updates roughly every four weeks, and regular Firefox receives them much more frequently. These updates patch vulnerabilities that attackers can use to steal passwords, inject malware, or take control of your browser. If you disable automatic updates and then forget to check for new versions, you may be running a browser with known security holes for weeks or months.

The risk is especially high if you use Firefox to access email, banking, shopping sites, or any service where your account could be compromised. Even if you visit only news sites and social media, a vulnerable browser can be used to inject ads, redirect you to phishing pages, or read malware in the background without your knowledge.

If you choose to disable automatic updates, set a calendar reminder to check for updates at least once a month. Open the Help menu, click "About Firefox", and Firefox will check for updates and show you whether a new version is available. Installing updates takes only a few minutes and usually requires one browser restart.

Re-enable automatic updates if you change your mind

If you disabled updates and later decide you want them back, the process is straightforward. Open Settings, go to General, scroll to Updates, and click "Automatically install updates (recommended)". The change takes effect when ready, and Firefox will resume checking for and installing updates automatically.

If you disabled updates using the policies.json file, open that file again, delete the entire "AppAutoUpdate": false line (or delete the whole file if that was the only policy), and save. Close and restart Firefox. The Settings panel will now control updates again, and you can set it back to automatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Firefox stop working if I disable updates?

No. Firefox will continue to work normally. Disabling updates only stops Firefox from installing new versions. Your current version will keep running until you manually install an update or until it becomes so old that websites stop supporting it.

Can I set Firefox to update only at night or on weekends?

Firefox does not have a built-in scheduling feature for updates. Your best option is to choose "Check for updates but let me choose to install them", which lets you install updates whenever you want. Some third-party tools can schedule Firefox restarts, but they are not officially supported by Mozilla.

What happens if I disable updates and then use Firefox for months without checking?

Your browser will become increasingly vulnerable to security attacks. Websites may also stop working correctly if Firefox falls too far behind, because web standards change and older browsers do not support new features. You should check for updates at least monthly.

Does disabling updates in Firefox also disable updates for extensions and add-ons?

No. The update setting in Settings only controls Firefox itself. Extensions and add-ons update separately and are not affected by this setting. You can control extension updates in the Add-ons page by clicking the gear icon and adjusting the extension update preferences.

If I disable updates, will Firefox show me notifications about new versions?

Only if you choose "Check for updates but let me choose to install them". If you choose "Never check for updates", Firefox will not notify you about anything. You have to manually check by going to Help > About Firefox.