Mozilla Firefox MSI Installer: Features, Parameters, and Deployment Options

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Mozilla Firefox continues to be a popular choice for both personal and business environments, offering speed, security, and flexibility. For IT administrators, the Mozilla Firefox MSI Installer provides an efficient way to deploy Firefox across multiple machines. In this post, we’ll cover the latest updates to the Firefox MSI Installer and explore command-line parameters and deployment options for customizing installations.

Key Updates in the Latest Firefox MSI Installer

Mozilla’s latest version of the Firefox MSI Installer introduces a range of enhancements that make it even more suitable for enterprise deployments. The key updates include:

• Improved Security: Enhanced security features to safeguard systems from vulnerabilities.
• Performance Boost: Optimizations in memory usage and browser startup time.
• Extended Customization: More flexible options for customizing installations using MSI parameters.
• Silent Install Enhancements: Improved processes for silent, automated installations, making large-scale deployments easier.

If you’re managing an enterprise environment, this installer and its custom parameters will significantly simplify deployment.

What is the Firefox MSI Installer?

The Firefox MSI (Microsoft Installer) package is designed for enterprise deployment. MSI files are ideal for IT administrators as they provide detailed control over the installation process, including options for silent installs, configuration management, and installation across multiple machines.

Unlike EXE installers, MSI packages allow for smooth deployment through tools like Group Policy or Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM), making them the preferred choice for larger IT environments.

How to Download the Latest Firefox MSI Installer

To get started, you can download the latest Firefox MSI installer from Mozilla’s official site. Be sure to select the appropriate version based on your operating system (32-bit or 64-bit).

Download Firefox MSI Installer

Previous Versions

If you are looking for a previous version of Mozilla Firefox, then they do also host all of them for you to download. Use the link below to go to the archive page:

Mozilla Firefox Previous Version Downloads

Command-Line Parameters for Custom Firefox MSI Installations

Using command-line options with the MSI installer allows IT admins to customize and control the Firefox installation. Here are the most common parameters for deployment:

Silent Installation

To perform a silent install (no user interaction), use the /quiet or /qn flag:

msiexec /i "Firefox Setup.msi" /quiet

or

msiexec /i "Firefox Setup.msi" /qn

Specifying the Install Directory

You can specify a custom directory for Firefox using the INSTALLDIR parameter:

msiexec /i "Firefox Setup.msi" INSTALLDIR="C:\Custom\Firefox\" /quiet

Disable Auto-Update

Prevent Firefox from automatically updating after installation by setting the MOZ_UPDATER property:

msiexec /i "Firefox Setup.msi" MOZ_UPDATER=0 /quiet

Disable Desktop Shortcuts

Use the DESKTOP_SHORTCUT parameter to stop Firefox from creating desktop shortcuts:

msiexec /i "Firefox Setup.msi" DESKTOP_SHORTCUT=0 /quiet

Set Firefox as the Default Browser

To set Firefox as the default browser during installation, use:

msiexec /i "Firefox Setup.msi" SET_DEFAULT_BROWSER=1 /quiet

Logging the Installation Process

To generate a log file for troubleshooting purposes, use the /L*V parameter:

msiexec /i "Firefox Setup.msi" /L*V "C:\Logs\FirefoxInstall.log"

Uninstalling Firefox

To uninstall Firefox using the MSI installer, run:

msiexec /x "Firefox Setup.msi" /quiet

Deploying Firefox via Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager

Mozilla Firefox can also be deployed using Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (formerly SCCM). This method is often preferred for larger enterprises that need to manage deployments more comprehensively.

Steps to Deploy Firefox Using Configuration Manager

1. Download the Firefox MSI Installer: Ensure you have the latest Firefox MSI installer downloaded from the Mozilla website.
2. Place the MSI Installer in a Network Share: Store the Firefox MSI in a network location accessible by your Configuration Manager.
3. Create a New Application:
   • In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to Software Library > Application Management > Applications and select Create Application.
   • Select Windows Installer (.msi) as the type and browse to the location of the Firefox MSI file.
   • Click Next and follow the prompts to configure the application’s properties, including name, installation command, and requirements.
4. Configure the Deployment Type:
   • In the Deployment Type settings, you can customize the installation command by adding MSI parameters, such as silent install (/quiet) or specifying the install directory.
   • Include other parameters such as disabling auto-updates or setting Firefox as the default browser as needed.
5. Deploy the Application:
   • After creating the application, navigate to Software Library > Application Management > Applications, right-click the Firefox application, and select Deploy.
   • Choose the collection of devices to which you want to deploy Firefox.
   • Specify the schedule, whether you want the deployment to be available or required, and any other relevant settings.
6. Monitor the Deployment:
   • Monitor the deployment progress in Monitoring > Deployments within Configuration Manager. Check the logs for any installation issues.

Configuration Manager provides detailed control over the deployment process, making it an excellent option for managing installations and updates across large numbers of computers.

Deploying Firefox via Group Policy

For enterprise environments, Firefox can be deployed via Group Policy. Below are the steps for both new site installations and upgrades.

Network Deployment Setup

1. Save the Installer: Download and save the MSI installer to a network location that client computers can access (e.g., a network share on a domain controller).
2. Create an Administrative Install: If needed, create an administrative install at a network location before adjusting properties like INSTALLLEVEL to set Firefox as the default browser.

New Site Install

1. Create a Group Policy Object (GPO):
   • Open Group Policy Management.
   • Right-click on an Organizational Unit (OU) or your top-level domain, then select Properties.
   • Navigate to the Group Policy tab, click New, and create a new Group Policy Object (GPO).
2. Software Installation Setup:
   • Edit the GPO and navigate to Computer Configuration > Software Settings > Software Installation.
   • Add the new Firefox package by specifying the network share location (e.g., \\server\appinstalls\firefox\firefox-x.x.x.x.msi).
   • To include any transformations (*.mst), choose Advanced for the deployment method.

Existing Site Install (Upgrading Firefox)

1. Edit Existing GPO:
   • Locate the existing Group Policy that handles Firefox installations.
   • Edit it as needed to upgrade Firefox across client machines.
2. Package Upgrade:
   • Add the new Firefox MSI package and select Advanced to specify the older package in the Upgrades tab.
   • Optionally, you can also add transformations (*.mst).

Advanced Configuration Using Policies

Mozilla also offers more advanced configuration options via Group Policies and the policies.json file. These allow administrators to control various aspects of Firefox’s behavior across installations:

1. Group Policy: For Windows environments, you can manage Firefox settings like disabling features or locking certain options using Group Policies.
2. policies.json: This configuration file can be placed in the Firefox installation folder to apply custom policies, such as setting a default homepage or disabling telemetry.

Example policies.json file:

{
  "policies": {
    "Homepage": {
      "URL": "https://www.yourhomepage.com",
      "Locked": true
    },
    "DisableTelemetry": true,
    "BlockAboutAddons": true
  }
}

The policies.json file is located in the distribution folder within the Firefox installation directory.

Why Choose the Firefox MSI Installer?

Mozilla’s MSI installer for Firefox offers powerful customization options for IT administrators. Whether you’re deploying Firefox across a small office or an entire enterprise, the MSI installer simplifies the process by providing silent installation capabilities and extensive configuration options.

Benefits of Using the Firefox MSI Installer

• Mass Deployment: Easily install Firefox across hundreds or thousands of machines.
• Customizable Installs: Control settings such as default browser, install location, and auto-updates.
• Silent Installations: Perform installations without requiring user interaction.
• Enterprise Policy Integration: Pre-configure Firefox settings using Group Policies or the policies.json file.

Conclusion

The latest version of the Mozilla Firefox MSI Installer offers enhanced features for enterprise deployment. Whether you need a silent installation, custom install locations, or advanced configuration options, the MSI installer has you covered.

By leveraging the command-line parameters and Group Policy deployment options, IT administrators can efficiently manage Firefox installations across their organization.