Firefox 10 ESR Zip

[Frank Lion]

As some of you may know, the latest Firefox ESR version (FF 10) has just been released in .exe form. This makes it tricky for people just to try it and see if they like it, etc. without doing a full (including simple registry entries) install and without interfering/wiping out with their existing Firefox installation.

But, having all this in .zip format makes all this side very easy (as I shall explain). I don't propose to discuss why anyone should want a Firefox version that will remain the same for the next year, that doesn't continuously update and that their working themes and extensions will remain working during that period. Suffice to say, here it is - http://franklion.co.uk/Firefox_10_ESR.zip

I should stress that Mozilla state that this version is only for Enterprise users (companies, charities, schools, etc) but, upon reflection, I'm not going to stress that at all.

I have extracted the stuff from the original .exe, renamed a couple of folders to the usual .zip format and tested it. Because it is from me, you also know that no one has added some damn toolbar to it or anything.

How to use -

(these simple instructions are going to assume that you are using FF3.6 and are using Windows, but just adapt as required)

#1. Place .zip in C:\Program Files (or your equivalent) and extract the .zip there.

#2. Open your existing version of Firefox and go to Tools > Option > Advanced > General > System Defaults and ensure that Firefox is NOT your default browser. Change it, if it is. Then close Firefox.

#3. Find you way to C:\Documents and Settings\Your Username\Application Data (or your equivalent) and rename the Mozilla folder there to Mozilla3.6 (you could also make a backup copy of that folder now, if you want)

#4. Return to Program Files and go into your new Firefox_10_ESR folder, then into the firefox folder and click firefox.exe. You're done.

#5. Firefox_10_ESR will open and autocreate a new Mozilla folder. When you want to return to your 3.6 version, then close Firefox, follow step #3 and rename the Mozilla folder to Mozilla10ESR and then rename the Mozilla3.6 folder back to just Mozilla and start your 3.6 version.

Notes ~ There are a number of methods of running 2 versions of Firefox, but I have decided to outline the method that I feel that no-tech users will readily understand.

Later, I will add useful KB links to this post.

[morat]

PortableApps.com is going to release a Firefox ESR Portable Edition in the near future.

http://portableapps.com/news/2012-01-31 ... ent-189692

[Frank Lion]

PortableApps.com is going to release a Firefox ESR Portable Edition in the near future.

Yeah, I know, I find their stuff slow (because of their optimisations for flashdrives) and Mozilla have already released an .exe version. I didn't really want to use either of them.

[the-edmeister]

It is easy to make a "zip-build" of Firefox 4.0+ versions from the Firefox executable installer.

Use 7-Zip to open the Firefox_setup.exe file with Open Archive, then open the \core\ folder, highlight all with {Ctrl + A}, then hit the Extract button and Copy to the folder where you want the Firefox program files installed.




Ed

[Anonymosity]

So, only in Windows? Is the ESR version in general being conceived only for Windows?

[James]

So, only in Windows? Is the ESR version in general being conceived only for Windows?

Windows, Mac and Linux.
http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/faq/
http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/all.html

They also have 64-bit Linux builds on ftp.

[Frank Lion]

It is easy to make a "zip-build" of Firefox 4.0+ versions from the Firefox executable installer.

Ed, unless you explain to people the advantages of using a zip build then what difference how easy it is to make?

The point I'm making is we have a forum that's dying on its feet compared with even a few years ago and regulars with a wealth of knowledge that they can share.

Instead, the regulars here just make reactive posts to the questions of passing strangers, like human I Speak Your Weight' machines or reactive posts fullstop. I am suggesting that we start more useful proactive threads ...like you should have done with the above useful info.

What is easy to you/us, is not so easy for the non-tech user or your Aunt Nellie.

So, only in Windows? Is the ESR version in general being conceived only for Windows?

Nope, all.

I don't know how it's done with Macs, but if you wanted to do the same sort of idea with Linux, you would just download the tar.bz2 and do a straightforward archive extraction to 'home'. Then close any existing Firefox instances and rename your existing .mozilla folder (hidden file) and then click on the Firefox file in the extracted folder and off you go.

[ndebord]

It is easy to make a "zip-build" of Firefox 4.0+ versions from the Firefox executable installer.

Use 7-Zip to open the Firefox_setup.exe file with Open Archive, then open the \core\ folder, highlight all with {Ctrl + A}, then hit the Extract button and Copy to the folder where you want the Firefox program files installed.




Ed

Ed,

IF you do this (which I have done in the past), will you be on the ESR release (update) track or the normal FF one?

Tks.

[Frank Lion]

IF you do this (which I have done in the past), will you be on the ESR release (update) track or the normal FF one?

There would be zero point in my doing this for myself or starting this thread, if you ended up on the normal Firefox update channel...would there?

[the-edmeister]

ndebord,

Regardless of how you "install" ESR it will be on the ESR update channel. That information is coded into the \defaults\pref\channel-prefs.js file, which is copied along with all the other files and folders into the program files folder.

One thing I forgot to mention is that you need to create the folder that you are going to be extracting Firefox into - as the first step. Once it is extracted, right-click firefox.exe and use Create desktop shortcut.


Ed

[ndebord]

ndebord,

Regardless of how you "install" ESR it will be on the ESR update channel. That information is coded into the \defaults\pref\channel-prefs.js file, which is copied along with all the other files and folders into the program files folder.

One thing I forgot to mention is that you need to create the folder that you are going to be extracting Firefox into - as the first step. Once it is extracted, right-click firefox.exe and use Create desktop shortcut.


Ed

Ed,

Did it both ways; will stick with portable app version, primarily because I don't want registry info at all. Thanks for the heads up.

[ndebord]

IF you do this (which I have done in the past), will you be on the ESR release (update) track or the normal FF one?

There would be zero point in my doing this for myself or starting this thread, if you ended up on the normal Firefox update channel...would there?

Nope, but wanted to make sure.

[ndebord]

PortableApps.com is going to release a Firefox ESR Portable Edition in the near future.

Yeah, I know, I find their stuff slow (because of their optimisations for flashdrives) and Mozilla have already released an .exe version. I didn't really want to use either of them.

Frank,

Is it possible to copy parts of your version over to FirefoxPortable to increase performance? (Of course, if you are on the portable ESR update channel, such changes would be overwritten by update, no?)

Tks.

[LoudNoise]

ndebord, you really don't understand most of this stuff do you? "Copying parts" is not a simple matter like moving your bookmarks from one profile to another.

[Frank Lion]

Frank,

Is it possible to copy parts of your version over to FirefoxPortable to increase performance? (Of course

No.

if you are on the portable ESR update channel, such changes would be overwritten by update, no?)

No, because if you really had to move stuff around then you'd, for sure, move the Desktop ESR update channel coding along with it.

First thing people need to decide is where they want to use the ESR (or any version) if it is for use on a flashdrive, then wait for the portable ESR and optimise it fully* for that purpose and forget the Desktop version.

If the ESR is for Desktop use, then use a .zip if you have any other Firefox versions kicking around. Select profiles either as detailed in the OP, by renaming the Mozilla folder or using the no-remote switch stuff (personally, I don't)

If the ESR is on Desktop and is the only game in town, then use the .exe.



* see 'Improving Firefox Portable's Performance', here - http://portableapps.com/support/firefox ... ifications