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Why the upgrade to firefox takes a new installation?

Why the upgrade to firefox takes a new installation?

HI, I have been using Firefox for the past couple of years. In the meantime I have always been updating to the latest version. But for that I have to download the setup file and have to reinstall from the very beginning.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 267
Total answers/comments: 2
Guest [Entry]

"I would imagine it is for simplicity; both for the user and the developers.

It is easier for the developers to create something which will replace all the files and not have to worry about which prior version the user it running. If you make a patch you have to create separate installers to upgrade from each version, and that's a nuisance.

Also, the user doesn't have to make sure he's downloading the correct upgrade package - all he has to do is download the installer, run it, and be happy that he's got the latest version."
Guest [Entry]

Firefox does download a patch for major upgrades, in fact it's larger than the standalone installer.