How to Turn Off Automatic Updates in Firefox

Firefox has no ordinary Settings switch to turn off update checking. Mozilla removed that option years ago. Administrators can disable application updates with Firefox’s DisableAppUpdate policy, but Mozilla warns that doing so can leave users without security fixes. If you only want fewer major-release changes, Firefox ESR is a separate channel to consider.

Can you turn off Firefox updates in Settings?

No. Firefox’s standard Settings interface does not offer a switch for disabling update checks. Mozilla says the ability to disable updates was removed years ago and points users who need this control to administrative policy. See Mozilla’s explanation of Firefox updates.

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Disable application updates with policy

The supported administrative control is DisableAppUpdate. It disables application updates in Firefox; it is not an ordinary preference that an individual user changes in Settings. Mozilla documents the policy for Firefox and Firefox ESR beginning with version 60, and lists Firefox Enterprise compatibility beginning with version 149. Check the current Firefox policy reference for applicable platforms and current details.

Set the policy in policies.json

Create or edit a UTF-8-encoded file named policies.json and set the policy to true:

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

Place the file in the Firefox distribution folder. Its location depends on how and where Firefox was installed:

• Windows: the distribution folder beside the Firefox executable.
• macOS: Firefox.app/Contents/Resources/distribution.
• Linux: the installation’s firefox/distribution folder, or /etc/firefox/policies for system-wide policy. Paths vary by installation; Flatpak uses a separate policy location.

Mozilla’s policies.json instructions provide additional location and deployment details.

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Apply and verify the policy

1. Save policies.json in the correct distribution folder.
2. Restart Firefox.
3. Enter about:policies in the address bar and check that the policy appears as active.

Windows Group Policy

Mozilla also documents a Windows Group Policy setting at SoftwarePoliciesMozillaFirefoxDisableAppUpdate, with a value of 0x1. Use the current Mozilla policy reference for the supported deployment form and details.

Do not confuse update installation with update checking

The AppAutoUpdate policy controls whether downloaded updates install without user approval. It does not disable update checking, and it has no effect when DisableAppUpdate is enabled. Use the setting that matches the intended behavior rather than treating them as interchangeable.

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What turning updates off means for security

Disabling application updates can prevent Firefox from receiving newer fixes for security vulnerabilities. Mozilla’s recommendation in its Firefox update guidance is to keep automatic updates enabled where possible. If a deployment must control rollout, weigh that operational need against the exposure created by delaying or missing fixes.

Consider Firefox ESR if release frequency is the concern

If your concern is frequent major releases rather than update control, compare Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) instead of disabling updates. In its 2026 enterprise guidance, Mozilla lists major updates every year for ESR, compared with every two weeks for Rapid Release. Mozilla lists ESR minor updates every two weeks or when necessary; ESR therefore still receives updates, including updates that may address critical stability or security issues. See Mozilla’s Firefox ESR release-cycle guidance.

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