UpdatingMozillaSoftware

Like most applications, it is important to keep your browser and email clients up-to-date to combat security flaws and gain new functionality. The instructions on this page should help you update Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird.

You can also find installers and documentation for the latest versions of Firefox and Thunderbird here:

• Firefox: http://www.getfirefox.com
• Thunderbird: http://www.getthunderbird.com

Determining the Installed Version

You can find out what version of Firefox or Thunderbird you have installed on you computer by opening up the application and choosing:

• "Help > About Mozilla [application]" from the menu bar on Windows
• "Firefox > About [application]" from the menu bar on Mac OS X

where [application] is either "Firefox" or "Thunderbird".

Updating Mozilla Firefox (Windows & Mac)

1. To manually check for a Firefox update, click the "Help" menu on the menu bar, and select "Check for Updates..."

   • On occasion, you may see "Apply Downloaded Update now...", rather than "Check for Updates..." -- the same process applies.
2. If there are updates available, click the "Get the New Version" or "Update Firefox" button
   • If no updates are available, click "OK" or "Done" to close the window.
3. When the install process is complete, you must restart Firefox. To close Firefox and re-open it, click "Restart Firefox".
4. Finally, verify that there are no more updates to be installed by performing Step #1 again. Depending on what version you start with, Firefox may need to run through this process multiple times.

File:Winfoxstp1.png

Step 1: Check for Updates (Windows)

File:FFcheckUpdatesMac.png

Step 1: Check for Updates (Mac)

File:Winfoxstp3.png

Step 2: Get New Version (Windows)

File:FFgetNewVersionMac.png

Step 2: Get New Version (Mac)

File:Winfoxstp2.png

Step 3: Restart Firefox (Windows)

File:RestartFirefoxMac.png

Step 3: Restart Firefox (Mac)

Updating Mozilla Thunderbird (Windows & Mac)

1. To manually check for a Thunderbird update, click the "Help" menu on the menu bar, and select "Check for Updates..."

   • On occasion, you may see "Apply Downloaded Update now...", rather than "Check for Updates..." -- the same process applies.
2. If there are updates available, click the "Get the New Version" or "Update Thunderbird" button
   • If no updates are available, click "OK" or "Done" to close the window.
3. When the install process is complete, you must restart Thunderbird. To close Thunderbird and re-open it, click "Restart Thunderbird".
4. Finally, verify that there are no more updates to be installed by performing Step #1 again. Depending on what version you start with, Thunderbird may need to run through this process multiple times.

File:Winstp1.png

Step 1: Check for Updates (Windows)

File:CheckForThunderbirdUpdatesMac.png

Step 1: Check for Updates (Mac)

File:Windstp2.png

Step 2: Get New Version (Windows)

File:ThunderbirdGetNewVersion.png

Step 2: Get New Version (Mac)

File:Winthunstp2.png

Step 3: Restart Thunderbird (Windows)

File:RestartThunderbird.png

Step 3: Restart Thunderbird (Mac)

Troubleshooting

If for some reason Firefox or Thunderbird refuses to update using the methods described above, you might try the Alternate Update Methods listed below. Otherwise, please stop by the HelpDesk and have a technician assist you.

• Alternate Update Method for Windows
• Alternate Update Method for Mac OS X