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Fix Outdated Firefox Extensions
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Fix Outdated Firefox Extensions
in New Versions of Firefox

When a new version of Firefox is installed, it automatically disables extensions that have not been approved for that version. Some of your favorite extensions may become disabled. You can try fixing this yourself, without waiting for a new version of the extension to be approved. Warning: This fix (changing the maximum version of an extension) may make the extension behave unpredictably or even crash the new version of Firefox. Follow these instructions at your own risk.

Firefox will notify you when it disables one of your installed extensions. You can also determine if an extension is disabled by clicking Tools, Add ons, Extensions in the Firefox menu. Disabled extentions appear as faded in the list and when selected, have an Enable button. If the extension is outdated the Enable button will not work. Try clicking the Find Updates button at the bottom of the Extensions window. If it finds and installs an update for your extension, you're done. If not, read on.

To change the maximum compatible version for an extension:

  1. Enable the Sandbox:

  2. Login to the Sandbox and in the same window, search for the Firefox Extension using the search box near the top right and click the link for the desired extension. (To be able to see extensions that have not been approved for the current version of Firefox, you must be logged into the Sandbox and have previously indicated to show the sandbox (see #1).) You can switch between searching the Sandbox and the Public area with the links at the left of the search box in the upper right.
  3. The Install Now button will be red for extensions in the Sandbox. Right click the Install Now button and save the .xpi file, which is actually a renamed zip file.
  4. Extract install.rdf from the zip file, but do not close your zip file window
  5. Edit install.rdf (with an editor that recognizes line feed - HtmlKit, WordPa, etc, not NotePad), changing em:maxVersion and saving it
  6. Go back to the zip file window,
  7. delete install.rdf from the zip file
  8. add the changed install.rdf to the zip file contents
  9. Compress the zip file, replacing the original .xpi file
  10. Drag the .xpi file to a blank portion of a Firefox window and follow the instructions in the small window that appears.
  11. Restart Firefox
  12. Test the extension. If it doesn't work or using it crashes Firefox, uninstall the extension and wait for an updated version.

When a new version of Firefox is installed, you'll need to repeat the procedure if the extension has not been updated for the new version. If you save the updated .xpi file you can just drag it into a Firefox window to install it, restart Firefox and then test the extension.

© Copyright 2008 Dotty Storer