Mozilla Will Kill Legacy Firefox Add-Ons in Exactly Three Months (Now November 14, 2017)

Bleeping Computer ^ | August 14, 2017 | Catalin Cimpanu

[CedarDave]

On November 14 Mozilla will take the biggest gamble in its long history when the organization will ship Firefox 57, the first version of its browser that will stop supporting legacy Firefox add-ons.

This means that starting with Firefox 57 the browser will support only new add-ons written on top of the newer WebExtensions SDK.

All legacy Firefox add-ons written on the old XUL-based Add-Ons SDK will stop working.

In a blog post last week, Mozilla said it will continue to allow developers to upload and list legacy Firefox add-ons on its add-ons portal (AMO), but they'll only show up for users with older browsers and buried in search results under newer WebExtensions-compatible add-ons.

Changes are already being rolled out to AMO and Firefox 57 (currently Firefox's Nightly edition).

The release of Firefox 57 is the end of a two-year-long project that started in August 2015 when Mozilla announced the new WebExtensions API that would eventually replace the older Add-Ons SDK.

The new WebExtensions SDK is also compatible with the universal WebExtensions SDK implemented in Chromium and related browsers such as Brave, Chrome, Opera, and Vivaldi.

Firefox's large collection of legacy add-ons has always been one of Firefox's strongest points and one of the primary reasons the browser has been popular so many years.

When Mozilla announced the new WebExtensions SDK and the death of the old legacy add-ons system, many feared most add-on developers wouldn't bother to migrate their add-ons for the newer WebExtensions API and Firefox would lose most of its add-ons, and its strongest attraction point.

In April 2017, the Mozilla Add-ons Portal listed 18,814 add-ons, but only 2,273 add-ons were WebExtensions-compatible. Currently, this number is at 3,633, which is about 19.3% of all Firefox add-ons.

[snarkpup]

Based on what I've read in this thread, I just installed Waterfox. Not only does it run my critical add-on (NoScript), but it launches and runs much more quickly than FF and is using only about 50% of the system resources than FF did!

I also just installed Waterfox a few minutes ago and it accepted most of my critical add-ons (NoScript, uBlock Origin and Self-Destructing Cookies). There are three more I'd like to install; but they seem to be discontinued by their authors and are no longer available at all.

(I'm posting this from the new Waterfox.)

[CedarDave]

For those thinking of going to another Mozilla-type browser (i.e. Pale Moon, Waterfox or Firefox ESR) you might want to download and use this Firefox add-on before November 14:

FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension)

FEBE backs up your extensions, themes, bookmarks, preferences, passwords, cookies and just about everything else Firefox offers (it can even backup/restore your entire profile). You can selectively restore only the items you need. For instance, you may just want your bookmarks restored and leave everything else as it was.

However, FEBE is considered a 'legacy' extension and will no longer work with Firefox v57 and above.

[Calvin Locke]

I went to open a pdf a couple of days ago, after the Win10 update.

The .pdf extension was set to Edge.

[zeugma]

Back in the early 90's I switched from SpyGlass (NCSA Mosaic) to Netscape, and from Netscape to Firefox. (Spyglass was bought by Microsoft and became IE.) I've used Firefox ever since because I have to run everyday on Windows, Linux, and Mac computers, and using different browsers with different rules and bookmarks was insane. Firefox was my sanity.

Pretty much follows what I've used browser-wise. I remember firefox when it was a .1 release. Started using it regularly as a .2 before they actually settled on the FF name. My bookmarks file is ancient, and has migrated from one computer to the next up to the present day. Of course, I've got craploads of links that are no good any more (there's a couple of gopher protocol links in there that I don't even think Firefox even recognizes these days.) I like that FF still allows you to export your bookmarks as an HTML file. (in addition to the more current json as well). My bookmark file has been my 'homepage' for years because it's quicker than opening any external webpage.

I really hate the thought of changing browsers, but I imagine I will have to some day. Not looking forward to it.

[daniel1212]

Firefox seems determined to commit suicide. They appear to have fully sold out. Between wanting to update every few days, and killing off the add ons that make it superior to the spyware browsers. I’m blocking updates at this point and will stick with it as long as I can. Meanwhile, I’m learning to make do with Brave.

Due to the level of enhancements, praise God, for power users Firefox is vastly superior to Chrome, IE.Edge, etc. and any others I have tried. Especially with TabMixPlux extension (to reduce tab width, obtain multiple tab rows, etc.), Colorful Tabs, etc, .

There is even an extension (BBCodeXtra) for formatting posts like this into html via custom scripts. Looks like Cypberfox (which I also use is going defunct, so I hope PaleMoon (which I also have installed) will work with the extensions I have, if they do not update to work with the new Firefox.

Some favs:

Tab Mix Plus 0.3.8.6 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/tab-mix-plus
Reduce tab width; Enable multiple tab rows; Change how active tab looks, etc.

Memory Restart https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/memory-restart/ Shows how much ram FF is using, and enables easy restart to flush memory.

ColorfulTabs https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/colorfultabs/?src=search/ Make tabs distinctive. Options to change color per site, etc.

GlobalFindBar Save search across pages. Keep search box open, etc. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/globalfindbar/?src=api

FindBar Tweak https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/findbar-tweak/ Did was the above does but was not maintained.
Save search across pages. Keep search box open, etc.

Session Manager 0.7.5 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/session-manager/ Saves sessions

Count word Toolhttps://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/word-count-tool/?src=search/
Select text and see how many characters and words. Useful for forums with character limit.

Signature https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/signature/ insert custom text into posts and emails.

Menu Editor http://menueditor.mozdev.org/ Change items in menus

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/checkcompatibility/ Disable Add-on Compatibility Checks (now needed for last 2 extns above)

Googlebarlite https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/downloads/latest/492/addon-492-latest.xpi?src=search More options and customizations than Google Toolbar

Send Tab URLs https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/send-tab-urls/?src=ss Copy and send list of all open tabs URLs.

Copy as HTML Link https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/copy-as-html-link/?src=search R. click and Copy as HTML Link

Google/Yandex search link fix https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/google-search-link-fix/ The actual URL is copied.

BBCodeXtra https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/bbcodextra/ An extension which adds to the context menu new commands to insert BBCode/Html/XHtml codes in an easy and fast way...
Very useful for FR.

Form History Control Form Recovery https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/form-history-control/?src=ss/ Saves text of some comboxes like FR, but not all. Has saved me loosing much typing after crashes.

Clippings https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/clippings//
Saves text for pasting.

FlashGot https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/flashgot/?src=search

Google-translator-for-firefox/ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-Us/firefox/addon/google-translator-for-firefox/

FT DeepDark https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ft-deepdark/ Best theme i found.

Noiascrollbars https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noiascrollbars A work of beauty and far better visibility,. .

Classic Theme Restorer https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/classicthemerestorer/
stay-Open Menu https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/stay-open-menu/ Opens Bookmarks in tabs without losing the menu.

[daniel1212]

“Firefox’s large collection of legacy add-ons has always been one of Firefox’s strongest points and one of the primary reasons the browser has been popular so many years.” The large collection of addons is Firefox’s ONLY strong point and the ONLY reason I use Firefox and promote it to my clients! Mozilla is determined to relegate Firefox to the trash heap of history.

That seem to be oblivious to this.

[daniel1212]

Just did a little digging and found out that Waterfox will still continue to support it’s legacy add-ons, which, at this point in time are the same as those running on Firerfox.

Thanks! Praise God for options.

[daniel1212]

Firefox is becoming a dog. I have Linux Mint and see Firefox memory footprint routinely exceed 1.5 gigabits. It also has problems grocking javascript.

Memory Restart https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/memory-restart/ Shows how much ram FF is using, and enables easy restart to flush memory.

[daniel1212]

I went to open a pdf a couple of days ago, after the Win10 update. The .pdf extension was set to Edge.

MS can do that with links to its own sites. They(think they) know better than you what is right!

[Bikkuri]

Comodo Ice Dragon is using FF 52 (and has built in security):
Comodo Ice Dragon

I've been using it since the FF meltdown (used Pale Moon briefly, but it was lacking.. and the guy that runs it is a bit kooky).

[daniel1212]

Good to know.

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[PAR35]

Thanks for the hint. PaleMoon hasn’t been on my radar. After doing some looking, it might be a decent replacement for Firefox when it self destructs in a few weeks.

Since I only have 5 browsers on my computer, I might as well shoot for an even half dozen.

[Bikkuri]

Forgot to ping you others to Comodo Ice Dragon post...

BTW.. it is possible to move your whole PROFILE over from FF to Comodo (and Pale Moon, if you use it) and it will look identical (add-ons and all) when you start it up.

[daniel1212]

There are two kinds of extensions. Old XUL based extensions are marked as ‘Legacy’ and these legacy extensions will be phased out in 55 and 56 and disabled in Firefox 57+. The new extensions are named WebExtensions and are marked as 57+ compatible on the Add-ons website. https://www.ghacks.net/2016/11/24/firefox-will-only-support-web-extensions-by-the-end-of-2017/

Helpful Reply

It means that Firefox is limiting the ability for others to control their user interface experience on Firefox. Very shameful that FF is becoming more like the other “big browsers.” What has distinguished FF is the ability to customize the browser’s interface.

It is quite likely that more and more (all?) legacy extensions will be removed from the Add-ons website at some point, so you won’t be able to install them and they won’t be updated anymore.

I have 11 extensions and only 2 of them aren’t legacy. For years I have refused to even try Chrome because I couldn’t get Tab Mix Plus as an addon. Guess what is a legacy? Tab Mix Plus. If it can’t get that, a flash blocker, and auto unload tab extension, Live Click and a decent session manager then I won’t upgrade. I want the Classic Theme restorer, but I could force myself to live without it.

I really hope Mozilla rethinks this move.

If nobody uses this browser, there won’t be any security issues.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1171829

[Bikkuri]

OOPS.. wrong URL for ping, sorry :p

ping to #70

(and, once again, CID uses FF 52 ;))

[daniel1212]

Thanks for the hint. PaleMoon hasn’t been on my radar. After doing some looking, it might be a decent replacement for Firefox when it self destructs in a few weeks. Since I only have 5 browsers on my computer, I might as well shoot for an even half dozen.

Have 7 myself, and 2 different installations and 3 different profiles for Firefox. Thank God for such grace.

[Bethaneidh]

I downloaded Ice Dragon and it promptly ate itself. I’ll try again with another link.

[Bikkuri]

Lol.. good wording ;)
Hope you can get it up and running.. I’ve had no issues (and can’t remember any problems transferring my add-ons from FF to Ice Dragon).

[Bikkuri]

Grr... still wrong ping..
I'll just let it show:
https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3597813/posts?page=70#70

[SkyDancer]

Okay,well sorry I missed it. What’s the correct URL?