Updating an unlisted Firefox WebExtension installed using the Windows registry not working

Question

I've been trying to distribute a Firefox WebExtension using the Windows Registry as described here . However, when trying to update the extension, it doesn't seem to work.

The extension's manifest points at my update.json file:

"applications": {
    "gecko": {
        "id": "extensionTest@extension.com",
        "update_url": "https://cooldomain.com/update.json",
    }
}

And my update.json file points at a new version:

{
    "addons": {
        "extensionTest@extension.com": {
            "updates": [{
                "version": "2.5.6",
                "update_link": "https://cooldomain.com/extensionTest-2.5.6-an%2Bfx.xpi"
            }]
        }
    }
}

Checking the browser console, it indeed gets the update.json file, and then... nothing happens. Is there a way to check in Firefox what error occurred during the update?

Answer 1

Add-ons installed using the Windows Registry are exempt from the Mozilla update process. If you install using the Windows Registry, Mozilla assumes that your application will handle all updates (ie not Firefox). When installed using the Windows Registry, or any other way where the extension is run from a single location (in contrast to being copied into each profile), Firefox will not update your extension.

Firefox is functioning as designed. Thus, there is no error.

For more information see: How to have Firefox auto-update extensions bundled with an application