Option for desktop to delay updates until Firefox is closed or system restart

[BK2]

Description / Desired Behavior

Add a user-configurable option under Settings > General > Firefox Updates (or an about:config setting) that restricts when updates are installed.

Proposed behavior: Updates should only install when one of the following conditions is met:

• Firefox is completely closed, with no running firefox.exe processes.

• The system has been rebooted, fully shut down, or a new user login session has started with no active firefox.exe processes, allowing the Mozilla update agent to detect this state and perform updates at startup or login.

The Problem

The current behavior often triggers updates at inconvenient times, such as when switching profiles or during active work sessions. This can interrupt more complex tasks and feels poorly timed.

Updates appear to be tied to new processes, meaning a new profile session or window can trigger an update. In practice, this feels inconsistent and overly aggressive in timing. Many users do not require updates to be installed immediately during active use and would prefer updates to occur only when the application is not in use.

Suggested Implementation

1. New Setting: Add a toggle reading: “Install updates only after all browser processes have exited or on system startup following reboot, shutdown, or fresh login with no active Firefox processes.”

2. Delay Threshold: Optionally allow users to define a maximum delay threshold, such as one month.

3. Grace Period: If an update exceeds this threshold, display a reminder prompt for a limited period (e.g., two days) before requiring installation.

Note on Security: While security is crucial, this should be offered as an informed user choice rather than an enforced timeline. Urgent security fixes can still be handled separately, but standard updates should not be aggressively forced. Power-users should be treated as capable of understanding the risks of their security settings. I would prefer these updates to wait until I am ready.

Additional Context

I have used Firefox for over 15 years and deeply appreciate the product. However, the current update timing feels incomplete and would benefit greatly from additional user control. I of course greatly appreciate the work that goes into this project.

[Jon]

Thanks for submitting an idea to the Mozilla Connect community! Your idea is now open to votes (aka kudos) and comments.

[BK2]

Great. By the it seems that this is already implemented because there is a setting by default. But it does not work.

For it to work all Firefox processes would have to stop.

So it just needs stricter enforcement as it doesn't work as expected.