Brightrev

I have several Firefox extensions I need to use when browsing the web, but they are incompatible with Firefox 3.  I really want to try the new version of Firefox, so I did some digging and found out how to force it to install these extensions.  Read on to find out how I did it.

First, you should understand that the Mozilla developers really don't want you to install incompatible extensions.  You're likely to cause problems when you install extensions that haven't been updated for Firefox 3, so don't blame Mozilla (or me) if your browser doesn't work after taking these steps.  In addition, I show you how to disable secure extension updates, which could lead to someone changing an extension to break into your machine.  Finally, create a new Firefox profile before you take these steps, and then delete that profile when the next beta is released.

You did read that paragraph above, didn't you?  OK, OK - I'm just checking.

To force Firefox 3 to install your extensions, you'll need to create two new preferences.  Click the Firefox address bar and type about:config.  Agree to not mess up your browser by clicking the button, as shown below.

Right-click anywhere in the list of preferences and click New->Boolean.  Name your preference as follows, keeping in mind that the name is case-sensitive.

extensions.checkCompatibility

Click OK and then set the value to false.

Now we'll repeat the same steps to create another preference.  Right-click the list of preferences and click New -> Boolean.  This time, you'll name the preference:

extensions.checkUpdateSecurity

Again, set this preference to false.

Now you can install your favorite extensions in Firefox 3.  One issue you'll run into is that https://addons.mozilla.org won't give you a link to install an incompatible extension.  You'll either need a direct link to the extension's XPI installer, or you can download the extension in another browser and then drag it into Firefox 3.  I would strongly recommend visiting extension developer web sites anyway, as many of them have already updated their extensions for Firefox 3. 

As an example, I'll install the Tiny Menu extension, which is currently listed as being incompatible with Firefox 3.

I search Google for tiny menu extension, which leads me to the developer's site.

I click the Newest link to the XPI installer and then approve the install.

I restart Firefox and see that Tiny Menu has been added to my list of extensions and that it actually works in Firefox 3.

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