Just for fun, testing and learning blocking FF updates trought EIS

Callender said:

No. It just blocks version upgrades and update checks. At least as far as I can remember. Add on updates should still work but you can check here:

You can still install themes and plugins.

Great! Thanks
Camelia

I use the registry myself, but that JSON way of doing things looks great. I'll have to try that. Where's the Github or other documentation on that?

F22 Simpilot said:

I use the registry myself, but that JSON way of doing things looks great. I'll have to try that.
Where's the Github or other documentation on that?

policy-templates | Policy Templates for Firefox is a first start.

There is one thing to keep in mind when using the policies.json file in the distribution folder.
If you're upgrading Firefox to a newer version (manually installing over your existing Firefox) it will delete the distribution folder.
Therefore a backup of the distribution folder would be a good idea.
User preferences can be protected with a user.js file in your user profile if I remember right.

Thanks, and thanks for the tip.

Yes, it's user.js...

Callender said:

@camelia

So I just tested on another machine running Firefox 117.0.1

No version updates. Updates are disabled. Addons still update fine.

You can still do an over the top install by downloading and running the firefox installer. Just don't install the maintenance service when doing so.

Thanks @Callender, for tested again at this moment the reg file is easier for me than the JSON way

Camelia

Hello @camelia and @Callender, setting up the Firefox policies in the registry is indeed more convenient than using policies.json.
I upgraded to Firefox 115.6.0 ESR yesterday and during installation it deleted my distribution folder (including policies.json file) again as I mentioned to @F22 Simpilot.

I have now moved all these settings to the registry, added some more and it works just fine, so I'll keep it that way.
Here is how they currently look like:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox]
"DisableAppUpdate"=dword:00000001
"BackgroundAppUpdate"=dword:00000000
"DisableFirefoxAccounts"=dword:00000001
"DisableFirefoxStudies"=dword:00000001
"DisableMasterPasswordCreation"=dword:00000001
"DisablePocket"=dword:00000001
"DisableSetDesktopBackground"=dword:00000001
"DisableTelemetry"=dword:00000001
"AppAutoUpdate"=dword:00000000
"SSLVersionMin"="tls1.2"
"NoDefaultBookmarks"=dword:00000001
"OfferToSaveLogins"=dword:00000000
"PasswordManagerEnabled"=dword:00000000
"PromptForDownloadLocation"=dword:00000001
"SearchSuggestEnabled"=dword:00000000
"SearchBar"="separate"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox\Permissions]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox\Permissions\Camera]
"BlockNewRequests"=dword:00000001
"Locked"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox\Permissions\Location]
"BlockNewRequests"=dword:00000001
"Locked"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox\Permissions\Microphone]
"BlockNewRequests"=dword:00000001
"Locked"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox\Permissions\Notifications]
"BlockNewRequests"=dword:00000001
"Locked"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox\Preferences]
"browser.urlbar.suggest.bookmark"=dword:00000000
"browser.urlbar.suggest.history"=dword:00000000
"browser.urlbar.suggest.openpage"=dword:00000000
"browser.urlbar.suggest.engines"=dword:00000000
"browser.urlbar.suggest.searches"=dword:00000000
"browser.urlbar.suggest.topsites"=dword:00000000
"browser.taskbar.lists.enabled"=dword:00000000
"browser.taskbar.lists.frequent.enabled"=dword:00000000
"browser.taskbar.lists.tasks.enabled"=dword:00000000
"keyword.enabled"=dword:00000000
"browser.fixup.alternate.enabled"=dword:00000000
"browser.urlbar.speculativeConnect.enabled"=dword:00000000
"network.IDN_show_punycode"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox\UserMessaging]
"ExtensionRecommendations"=dword:00000000
"FeatureRecommendations"=dword:00000000
"UrlbarInterventions"=dword:00000000
"WhatsNew"=dword:00000000