How to Check for Updates in Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox is one of the top three Internet browsers available. Just as with any program, periodic updates become available to fix problems or to close security leaks. Many programs release new versions that incorporate the patches and fixes and install over onto the current version. Mozilla releases small patches that only address the parts of the program that need fixing. They also have included an automatic check for updates.

Instructions

1. Download and install the latest version of Firefox. This will insure that you have the most current version of every file. Starting from this point, you can rest assured that you have the most up to date version of every file. Now set the program to check automatically for new updates.

2. Open Firefox. Pull down the Help menu and select "Check for Updates." This will initiate a check by Firefox of the most current update installed and then compares that with the latest update on the Mozilla site. This is how you would manually check for updates.

3. Set the switches that will have Firefox check for updates automatically. Open the Tools menu and select "Options." A popup window will open letting you make settings to the preferences.

4. Look across the top of the window and highlight the "Advanced" button. Now select the "Update" tab. On this tab, you can set automatic updating performed by Firefox, with or without confirmation. You may select whether you want updates for Firefox, search engines and installed add-ons.

5. Select whether you want the updates to automatically download and install or to ask the user what to do. You may also have Firefox warn you if an update will disable any of the currently installed add-ons.