How to stop Firefox update notifications?

Solution 1:

From experimenting with Firefox config, just as a possible addition or alternative when solutions that have previously been suggested here are not enough.

After opening the about:config (typing about:config into the address bar and then pressing Enter), apply either or both of the following config items:

• Search for app.update.silent, then set it to true
• Search for app.update.url, then change it to a fake/non-existent URL

  For example, if the original is https://aus5.mozilla.org/update/6/%PRODUCT%/..., I changed it to xxxhttps://xxxaus5.mozilla.org/update/6/%PRODUCT%/...

Solution 2:

None of the former about:config Configuration changes work nowadays to control update behaviour

This should completely disable the Updates messages in Firefox as per today:

Method 1 - Registry change (Windows)

• Create the following Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox
• Create inside, a 32-Bit DWORD DisableAppUpdate, with value 1.
• Restart Firefox.

The following can be saved as a .reg file to apply this change:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox]
"DisableAppUpdate"=dword:00000001

Or execute the following line in an elevated command prompt/PowerShell:

reg ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox /v DisableAppUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Method 2 - Policies.json (Windows / Linux / Mac / Others)

• Create the folder distribution at the same place the Firefox executable is located (i.e. in Windows: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution\).
• [Edit: Under MacOS, create the distribution folder under ${APPS}/Firefox.app/Contents/Resources where ${APPS} is the directory you installed Firefox in. This is usually /Applications, but the Firefox app can be installed in other locations (matter of taste mostly).]
• Create inside, a file policies.json with this text:

{ 
    "policies": {
        "DisableAppUpdate": true
    } 
}

• Restart Firefox.

Now under about:preferences under Updates, the following label should appear: Updates disabled by your system administrator. and under about:policies.

Other policies can be modified in this way. Check the GitHub link and the about:policies section.

If you ever, ever want the original behavior, just undo these steps.