"Firefox has prevented this site from installing an unverified add-on"

[Rich Stadler]

Here's what I get when I try to install version 5.4.1:

"Firefox has prevented this site from installing an unverified add-on"

[Rich Stadler]

How to install unsigned third-party add-ons in Firefox without signature checking:

1. Visit about:config

2. Toggle xpinstall.signatures.required preference value to ‘false’.

After doing this, you are able to install the add-on after going through two warnings, and that’s normal: first you need to ‘Allow’ it, next, read the caution prompt and click ‘install’ button.

[mig]

The just-released latest Firefox official version 40.0, should only give you a warning when installing a non-reviewed add-on. Next version, 41.0 should require the parameter manipulation you just described. Firefox 42.0 should not even allow that.

Given the way Video DownloadHelper works, with frequent changes from YouTube and us reacting quickly to provide fixes, plus the increasing review time (VDH has a to-be-reviewed version since last June), i must say we are really worried about the future of VDH on Firefox.

[Tig]

Given the way Video DownloadHelper works, with frequent changes from YouTube and us reacting quickly to provide fixes, plus the increasing review time (VDH has a to-be-reviewed version since last June), i must say we are really worried about the future of VDH on Firefox.

I've read a little about the new system. I wonder if you could make use of the beta channel to ensure you have a current working version available on AMO, and continue to distribute your own (non-AMO-hosted) actual alpha/beta development versions.

As I understand it, both AMO beta versions and non-AMO-hosted extensions are supposed to use an automated review process which should only take seconds (providing VDH will pass the automated testing).

The fully reviewed version on AMO may still be out of date much of the time, but that's no different to how it is now :)

[mig]

That's indeed how i see things.

However, running beta versions requires users to be on the beta channel, which won't be a big problem for advanced users like yourself, but probably a no-go for most.

Also, beta versions of add-ons are automatically pushed to beta channel. This means the current situation (official 5.3.1, 5.4.1 waiting for review, 5.5.0aX being developed) won't fit that scenario.

What is also possible is for testers to run Firefox developer (aurora) edition configured to allow unsigned extensions. But here again, this is advanced stuff.