Force Firefox extensions to work in the latest version
When Firefox updates to a new version, some extensions are disabled. However, you can easily edit the extensions to make Firefox re-enable them -- no particular expertise required.
Problem
Extension authors sometimes abandon their creations, and when Firefox enters a new version, it will refuse to use extensions that are not tagged as compatible.
Solution
Basically, the extension installer is just a zip archive. The installation information file inside contains a "maxversion" note to Firefox letting it know what versions the extension is appropriate for. Just change this value and you're good to go!
Warning! The extension may not be installable for a reason. If you break Firefox, close it and start it in safe mode, then remove the extension.
Instructions:
1. Save the install file to the desktop. (Right-click, "Save Link As...")
2. Rename the file's extension from .xpi to .zip. (In Windows, go to a folder window and click Tools -> Folder Options, then unhide extensions.)
3. Open the file. (WinZip or some other archive program.)
4. Extract the install.rdf file to the desktop. (Drag it.)
5. Open the file in a plain-text editor (Notepad, vi, Gedit, etc.)
6. Find a block that starts with <em:targetApplication>. If there is more than one, choose the one that contains the string {ec8030f7-c20a-464f-9b0e-13a3a9e97384}, the ID of Firefox.
7. Find the line that starts with <em:maxVersion>. You will see a value that looks something like 1.5.0.* -- a version number.
8. Change that value to the current version of Firefox. (so input - 3.0.0.*)
9. Pack everything back up! Save the install.rdf file, pull it back into the archive, rewriting the old version. Rename the extension's file extension from .zip back to .xpi.
10. Install the edited extension in Firefox by dragging it onto a Firefox window. Complete the installation by restarting Firefox.
Edited by scaramonga, 24 March 2008 - 04:12 PM.