- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/NT
- Date added: November 30, 2005
- Total Downloads: 18,089,134
- Downloads last week: 81,046
- See full specifications
A newer version of Mozilla Firefox is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 12245 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
As more users continue to abandon Internet Explorer, Mozilla's popular Firefox gains traction in the browser space. Version 1.5 of Firefox offers a few notable features, foremost of which is the ability to reorder tabs by dragging and dropping them. You'll also find a tool that lets you quickly clean up your surfing history with two clicks of the mouse or a hot-key combo. The latest iteration of the browser seems more responsive than it has in the past and also is more efficient; with 10 windows open, Firefox consumed slightly less RAM than either IE or Opera.
If you're new to Firefox entirely, you'll appreciate the other features, including the RSS feeds, the JavaScript debugger, the basic download manager, and the ability to search several popular sites (such as Google) directly from the address bar. You can easily create toolbars by dragging and dropping icons. More technically minded users will appreciate that Firefox displays the page source in a new window, using indents and color-coded tags like an HTML editor. The built-in pop-up blocker is still extremely effective, and Firefox's reuptation for tight security is still well deserved. Anyone who's tired of IE will find more than one reason to like this free alternative.
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Publisher's description
From Mozilla :Mozilla Firefox is a fast, full-featured Web browser that makes browsing more efficient than ever before. Firefox includes pop-up blocking; a tab-browsing mode that lets you open several pages in a single window; integrated Google searching; simplified privacy controls that let you cover your tracks more effectively; a streamlined browser window that shows you more of the page than any other browser; and a number of additional features that work with you to help you get the most out of your time online.
Version 1.5 introduces several new features, including an improved software update system, a new option to clear private browsing data, drag-and-drop reordering of browser tabs, and more robust pop-up blocking.
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User reviews of Mozilla Firefox 1.5
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 12245 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 413 user reviewsSee all 413 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
91 out of 121 people found this review helpful
Version: Mozilla Firefox 1.5
"Much, much, improved...and it was real good already"
Pros: I hadn't used Firefox in along time. I still had the original version and haven't used it in about a year. I use Opera and Avant and kind of forgot about Firefox when I reformatted about 10 months ago. This new version 4.5 really rocks! It is much more secure and faster than any ie browser, Avant included, and just as fast or faster than Opera. The download manager could use a little boost, but other than that, this is one fantastic browser and I recommend you try Firefox 1.5 and I give it 5 huge Stars and Two thumbs way up!
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81 out of 100 people found this review helpful
Version: Mozilla Firefox 1.5
"Best browser just got better!"
Pros: Improvements from earlier versions
-faster back and forward
-automatically checks and installs updates
Pros of Firefox
-includes must-have features like tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking, and RSS
-built in search
-safe
-fast
-VERY customizable. The greatest reason i switched to using firefox was because of it's customizability. On addons.mozilla.org, you can download extensions and themes to make firefox look better and have more features. Extensions include the ability to block ads and adframes inside webpages, mouse gestures, and session saving. There's pretty much an extension for every function you could possibly need.
Cons: -Not all webpages are compatible with firefox that can only be loaded correctly in Internet Explorer. However, there is a pretty small amount of webpages like this. Also, extensions like ie tab, ieview, and user agent switcher that give firefox the ability to load internet explorer-only webpages. These can all be found on addons.mozilla.org
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14 out of 27 people found this review helpful
Version: Mozilla Firefox 1.5
"One of the best browsers created!"
Pros: I have been a Firefox fan ever since version 0.9. This browser really had me impressed and amazed. Fast browsing speed, extremely fast downloads and uploads, lots of extensions to improve its features.. what more could you ask for? I even made this my default browser. For me, this ranks the same as Opera. Developers have sacrificed a lot for this program. The program is so good that they made it open-source, so that people would feel free to improve it. It's free too. For me, this program is worth at least $30. Please donate to Mozilla to support further development of this app. Download this now!
Cons: The download manager REALLY needs to improve a lot. It looks so basic and there aren't much working extensions for it. I would really be happy if they made the download manager like Opera's.
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19 out of 25 people found this review helpful
Version: Mozilla Firefox 1.5
"Okay, I give in - firefox deserves praise!"
Pros: So I was a little short on firefox in my review of 1.0.6before, but after a month of using it lots after having second thoughts it has actually grown on me (yes, I am definitely of a different opinion now!). The main pros of firefox for me personally are:
- a brilliant tabbed system on a toolbar that can be placed at the top or bottom, and a closed tabs list for any accidental closings (the new drag and drop feature for ordering is also a great bonus)
- toolbar and button customization, and a great selection of user made skins to choose from to snazz it up further (the base firefox look is also pleasing however)
- a simplified and easy to follow set of options, with all boxes and buttons clear to understand and featured enough to give you a good amount of control (one example is the easy but effective cookie management)
- a massive selection of extensions available on the mozilla site that truly do make firefox the ultimate browsing tool once you've customized to your every need.
Overall, firefox is stable, functional, without any major bugs or hidden malware, good looking, and open to many user submitted customizations (themes & extensions) with something for everybody.
Cons: - The start up time isn't optimal for me, even before installation of extensions and themes firefox hangs upon start up which can be a pain.
- A couple of the extensions available in my opinion should be part of the browser by default to make it ultimately the best of the best (ie: 'noscript' full script control from the status bar / 'adblock' banner and flash blocking / 'searchpluginhacks' gives simple option to remove unwanted search bars)
- The pop up blocker could do with more options and could be slightly more developed and functional in general.
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14 out of 29 people found this review helpful
Version: Mozilla Firefox 1.5
"A Solid program that is a great alternate to IE."
Pros: This program has some major improvements including the ability to move around quicker through cache pages, and has a good RSS ability. Plug-ins and security pacthes are much better in this version.
Cons: Firefox seems to always leave small exploit behind whenever they upgrade their Mozilla Firefox. This is a safe program as long as you keep upgrading shortly after new versions are released. Older verions have had some major security flaws. Additionally several websites are not upto par with firefox versions and can not be viewed properly. Firefox needs to improve this to get better satisfaction from users. Overall the Pro's definately outwiegh the cons.
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