According to Computerworld (they don't cite a source, however), Firefox 4.0 will feature the same 'silent' updating as Google Chrome. Minor updates, say from Firefox 4.0 to 4.0.1, will be carried out in the background after the user opens the browser. Major revisions to 4.5 or 5.0 will still prompt the user before being installed.

This could be reactionary -- a recent report [PDF] found that a massive 97% of Chrome installations are up-to-date, compared to Firefox's mediocre 85% and Safari's meager 53% -- or, more likely, this is just a move to keep Firefox as secure and easy-to-use as possible. Personally I hate those 'do you want to update now?' boxes. I'm always in the middle of something and loathe to close all my tabs.

Firefox isn't merely copying Chrome, however. In true, fluffy-purple-dinosaur Mozilla fashion, the behind-the-scenes auto-updater will be configurable. For those that simply want to browse, you can disable any and all update notifications -- your browser will always be kept up-to-date. Alternatively, if you're a power-user, you can simply turn the auto-updater off. Neat!

Hot on the heels of Chrome, Firefox 4 will support 'silent' in-the-background updating originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.