Member Avatar for happygeek

Although the Firefox Version 2.0 Beta is not actually released until Tuesday 11th, you can download the feature complete Windows public release candidate 1 build right now from the .

Linux and Mac versions are also available, early reports suggesting that it works just fine with Intel based Macs at last.

Apart from the integrated spell checker and anti-phishing filter, Firefox 2.0 adds horizontal scrolling for tabs and a revised options dialog. Most of the changes, though, are beneath the surface.

Do not expect your existing extensions to work. Do expect your existing themes to be overwritten. Unless, that is, you download the version instead as this keeps everything within the Portable Firefox folder which can be uninstalled simply by deleting it. Your existing profile remains separate and untouched. This seems the sensible option, given that much of the value of Firefox is invested in the extensions it supports.

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called attention to the RC and and rightly warn about losing settings. For anyone wanting to try the build now: take a short, explicit safety-first approach so you can experiment without risking your everyday profile.

Do a full profile backup before you touch the installer. Back up the entire Firefox profile folder (that single step preserves preferences, bookmarks, cookies, saved passwords and add-ons). Typical locations: Windows XP — C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\; Windows Vista/7+ — C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\; Mac — ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/; Linux — ~/.mozilla/firefox/. Also export bookmarks to an HTML file from the Bookmarks organizer as a quick, portable restore point.

Test the beta in isolation instead of upgrading your primary profile. Create a new profile with the Profile Manager or launch a separate profile from the command line so your default profile is untouched. Example launches:

firefox.exe -P "BetaTest" -no-remote
open -a Firefox --args -P "BetaTest" -no-remote
firefox -P "BetaTest" -no-remote

Those commands let you run a second, disposable profile (or run the beta side-by-side) and make troubleshooting far simpler. A virtual machine or a portable build are other safe options if you want complete separation.

If an install misbehaves: fully close Firefox, replace the profile folder with your backup, then start Firefox via the Profile Manager. If extensions fail, check the extension author’s page for a compatible release or reinstall the extension once a compatible build is available. If you depend on specific add-ons for daily work, follow ’s cautious route and wait for the stable release.

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Member Avatar for mikeandike22

I think I will just wait for the release. Whenever I have installed a bleeding edge Firefox I end up having to reconfigure most of my settings and sometimes reinstalling my extensions. So I would say its best to wait the 2 days until the release.

Member Avatar for AN | Patrick

I agree with Mike. I had the same thing happen to me

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