Install Firefox 4 final version in Ubuntu

The final version of Firefox 4 was released on March 22nd. Windows users can download an installer directly from Firefox homepage and just run the installer. But for Ubuntu users it's not that simple. The best thing for them is using the package manager.

Most of the instructions for installation of Firefox 4 in Ubuntu point you to the Mozilla - Ubuntu daily build repository, which actually installs Minefield. Minefield is the unstable nightly build of Firefox. Of course those of us who are ardent Firefox fans have been using Minefield to get the latest betas and RCs and to feel the awe of Firefox 4. But now that the final version is out you can get rid of Minefield and upgrade the default Firefox installation in Ubuntu to version 4.

• Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T)

• Enter the following commands

 sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mozillateam/firefox-stable 
 sudo apt-get update 
 sudo apt-get install firefox ubufox 

This will actually upgrade the default Firefox installation which comes with Ubuntu. You can run it by going to Applications > Internet > Firefox Web Browser menu in GNOME or by clicking the Firefox icon in the top panel.

Now if you have been using Minefield, all your bookmarks, history and preferences would be with Minefield. But fear not. Just go ahead and launch the upgraded Firefox final version. It will detect your Minefield installation and ask you whether to import your data. Accept it and you can continue browsing from the point you left off.

Now that Firefox 4 is all set up, you can just get rid of Minefield. To do that just enter the following in the Terminal.

 sudo apt-get purge firefox-4.0

Here's some interesting facts about the first 48 hours of Firefox 4.