How to roll back from Firefox 29?

Question

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I want to say that I too hate version 29. If I wanted Chrome I'd just use Chrome. The whole reason I use Firefox is that I prefer its interface and operation. At least I used to.
It's no use you telling me or anyone else that 'it's not like chrome' or that I might just not like the 'appearance'. It is 'like' Chrome and I don't like the appearance. The problem is also the ergonomics - I find it much easier to use tabs at the bottom, MUCH easier to use 'back" and 'fwd' buttons where they used to be, much easier to use square tabs, much better to have a forward button that is always present (even if dimmed) than a tiny thing you have to aim for like an archer, and that is sometimes there and sometimes not. It's much more difficult to find the tiny refresh button located in a place that doesn't suit me - why not have all the commonly used controls over there on the left where they are all in the one place and your poor overworked brain doesn't have to think "Oh yes I'm looking for the 'x' button so I'll look in the place that logically makes sense in the 'x' area" -- which sounds good, but it actually much harder than "I want a control, I'll head up to the top left where the controls are ... ah there it is".
This new layout is a triumph of overthought and a basic lack of understanding of how 'normal, non-tech' people work.
The end result is ergonomically poor, no matter what the many studies and much research says.
And why the need to change in the first place? Many of us use FF because it was what it was, and we liked it. What's with the need to change for no reason? If it works, stick with it.
The whole thing looks like a poorly thought out response to 'we need to update because other browsers look cooler/sexier/more curvy/something than ours, so let's update'.
Someone at Mozilla needs to appreciate that change is irritating in itself, requires substantial input from the user, and therefore should ONLY be used when there is a compelling reason. Which there isn't.
Gah :(

Answer 1

I would not recommend downgrading Firefox. Unsupported versions are not secure. You increase risks to your System and Personal data by using insecure software. When security fixes are released and publicised that also publicises the potential exploits.
* [[Install an older version of Firefox]]
* https://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/firefox.html
Try the new design, if it does not grow on you there are ways to make it more like the previous version.
* See [[Learn more about the design of the new Firefox]] <br /> [[Common questions after updating to the new Firefox]]
* [[How to make the new Firefox look like the old Firefox]] <br /> https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/classicthemerestorer/
'''One of the developers recently posted this explanation'''
[https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/user/1079955 MikeDeboer] said
Each setting you see in a computer program you use requires work; when a developer wants to build something new or improve something, he or she has to go through each related (hidden) setting and test if it still works like before and do that on each platform Firefox runs on. That's Apple's Mac OSX, various flavours of Linux and various flavours of Windows, including Windows XP. This costs time, lots of it, and that amount grows exponentially with each setting that's added. This comes on top of our work to continuously fix, improve and innovate Firefox. <br /> <br /> That's why we also removed the tabs.onTop preference. Awesome community members, who were unhappy about that change, created the Classic Theme Restorer add-on. They deserve our collective hugs.
*'''For more linked help articles and the full quote please also see''' <br /> ''Why have you changed design in new Firefox 29.0?'' [/questions/998084#answer-566525]
Are you having any particular problem ? We may be able to suggest a workaround.
'''Have your say. Note Firefox 29 is to some extent work in progress.'''
People helping here are mainly volunteers and users of Firefox like you and I. If you feel strongly about the new changes I would suggest you make a short comment and provide feedback on https://input.mozilla.org/feedback for the people who decided on the changes to actually see it.
Personally one of my major gripes is that the upgrade happens without prior warning of major changes, and then we are left in a changed Firefox trying to find out what works still. <br /> Sure the new features can best be demonstrated from the new version, but some prior warning with a chance to read up about the changes would surely help.
* As mentioned in ''Firefox 29 screw up - Please consider USERS How to fix this???'' [/questions/999831]