Pale Moon a browser based on a previous version of Firefox focusing on ease of use, efficiency and customization.
The program is built for multiple operating systems and strives to offer a browser built independently using the Goanna browser engine, also used by K-Meleon). Selected features and optimizations are aimed at improving browser stability and overall user experience.
Category: | |
Runs on: | Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Win11 |
Writes settings to: | Application folder |
Stealth: ? | No. Leaves the following empty folders behind:
|
Unicode support: | Yes |
License: | MPL v. 2.0 + redistribution restrictions |
How to extract: | Download the "Portable" self-extracting package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch Palemoon-Portable.exe. |
Similar/alternative apps: | Firefox Portable, SeaMonkey Portable, K-Meleon |
What's new? | See: https://www.palemoon.org/releasenotes.shtml |
Additional information regarding the situation at Pale Moon is available in Moonchild's posts:
https://forum.palemoon.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28006
and
https://forum.palemoon.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28044
v29.4.4
Pale Moon version 30 has been recalled due to both an incomplete release as well as damage done to the project.
The information provided by Moonchild regarding the Current situation for Pale Moon:
https://forum.palemoon.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28054
v30.0.0
Pale Moon has become my default and favorite browser. It is laid out for the convenience of users rather than being handicapped to keep up with the latest in look, touch and feel that kills productivity. Pale Moon is for those that want to get work done, with as little time as possible lost to the eternal quest to locate moved, missing or deleted features that are too common in other browsers at every update. As for all browsers, sometimes pages are not rendered correctly and if so, I just jump briefly to a different browser - but I always end up returning to Pale Moon. In recent years the collection of Pale Moon-specific add-ons has increased dramatically, making it a fine substitute for Firefox.
v28.7.2
@Happy.Camper2 - You can probably use New Moon by Roy Tam. Check the MSFN forums for a link.
v28.2.2
Happy Holidays To You All :)
Just wondering...Do any of you fine folks have the Palemoon Portable Browser v28 installed on a Vista Home Premium 32-bit OS?
Well, if you do, would you please tell me how? I've DL'ed a couple of v28's and installed them and they wouldn't launch.
To my knowledge of what I've been reading, Palemoon v28+ is for Windows 7+.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_Moon_%28web_browser%29
Please tell me your tips & tricks so I can go back to using Palemoon. Thanks so much.
Take care.
v28.2.2
Pale Moon 28 essentially uses Firefox 52 ESR as a base. Likewise for SeaMonkey 2.49.
v28.0.1
AndTheWolf: I'm not sure how to describe this browser outside of it's relationship to Firefox. It looks like Firefox, it supports some Firefox plugins, and the elements on the Technical Details page all reference things that have been added/removed from Firefox.
v28.0.1
I don't think you can still describe Pale Moon as "modified version of Firefox", anymore than you can call a zebra a modified version of a horse. They share a common ancestor, but have grown so far apart the current versions can't even use each others extensions.
v28.0.0.1
Very useful program, I have been using Sea Monkey for awhile due to the speed of changing sites. I curious to see how Pale Moon Portable compares. I will let you know, more will be reveled.
MIKLO
v27.1.2
As of Firefox 49, Firefox requires SSE2 just like Pale Moon. Thus, there are no longer differences in system requirements between Firefox and Pale Moon. I dropped all the text about Pale Moon's system requirements.
v26.4.1
@Version 25.3.1 again works fine for me! The Add-Ons-Section looks disabled - but not really ... http://666kb.com/i/cxwax3joqns5wwh44.png
v25.3.1
ancientimages: thanks, added SeaMonkey to the similar/alternative section of the entry
v25.0.2
Just a quick addition to my previous comment: Seamonkey still has incompatibilities with some Firefox add-ons, but fewer than Pale Moon. Most of the time, you have the option to "install anyway."
But if you're looking for full compatibility, you're probably best off sticking with Firefox and the and "Classic Theme Restorer" add-on to restore Firefox's original design, and the "SettingSanity" add-on to restore the removed options (JavaScript, etc.)
v25.0.0
> I updated to Pale Moon 25.0.0 and found out AdBlock Plus no longer worked.
Sadly, Pale Moon is going to have a lot of incompatibilities from here on. The fact that it doesn't work with the most popular add-on for Firefox is pretty telling, and the Pale Moon developer has placed responsibility on the heads of add-on developers, rather than trying to work around the problem.
Anyone looking for a more "old fashioned" approach to Firefox might want to look into Seamonkey.
Seamonkey is sort of a bundled Firefox and Thunderbird. It contains many of the options that have been stripped from Firefox over the past year, denying power users their old level of customization (fine-tuning JavaScript permissions, etc.).
And like Pale Moon, Seamonkey doesn't suffer from the Chrome-like "Australis" design!
Check out the portable version here on Portable Freeware: http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=2089
v25.0.0
The Atom build of Pale Moon Portable (available on the download page) still works with XP. Also there is a v25 compatible version of AdBlock Plus at https://addons.palemoon.org/extensions/privacy-and-security/adblock-plus/. However there are too many other non-working extensions for me to upgrade to v25 atm (a list is being maintained at http://addons.palemoon.org/firefox/incompatible/). Apart from ABP it seems the Pale Moon developer is relying on add-on developers to make them compatible with Pale Moon, so it's probable a lot of these will remain incompatible.
v25.0.0
@__philippe: sad news indeed -- although, for performance reasons, I had already dropped Pale Moon in my WinXP rig. No bad deed goes unpunished. 3:)
@Mixture: might I suggest the simpler BluHell blocker as an alternative, should you ever return to Mozilla land? (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/bluhell-firewall/)
v25.0.0
I updated to Pale Moon 25.0.0 and found out AdBlock Plus no longer worked. I switched over to the latest version of Firefox several days ago, added and updated all my security and privacy plugins and surfed just fine until today. Three-quarters of my bookmarks would not work. I tried MS Internet Explorer and encountered most of the same problems as Pale Moon and Firefox. In frustration, I switched to SRWare Iron and manually added my necessary bookmarks. Thus far, everything works. I have dumped Pale moon and Firefox. (Now, if I can only get Ghostery to install for Chrome/Iron.)
v25.0.0
@John,
The publisher is quite right, of course.
The end paragraph above was kind of a tongue-in-cheek commentary about my own procrastination to switch over to safer Win7. Perhaps I should have added a couple more smileys ?...;-) ;-) ;-)
__philippe
v25.0.0
__philippe: The publisher himself has this to say about it: "Not recommended: stay on Pale Moon 24.7.2. With the release of Pale Moon 25.0, simply 'not upgrading the browser' is not recommended because the previous major version will not receive updates or further support. We simply do not have the manpower or resources to continue updating and maintaining multiple different versions of the same product. If you stay on Pale Moon 24.7.2, you will not receive any security and stability updates that the current version receives, and you will put yourself at (even greater) risk."
v25.0.0
Please note the most recent Palemoon 25.0.0 will NOT run under WinXP any longer.
Check the gory details about the reasons for dropping WinXP support, and some proposed alternatives, here:
http://www.palemoon.org/PM_end_of_WinXP_support.shtml
For the die-hard, endangered species dinosaurs still feeding on WinXP, let's stick for a while with previous Palemoon 24.7.0, until the fateful upgrade to Win7 becomes finally ineluctable...;-)
__philippe
v25.0.0
Pale Moon v24.7.1 (Released 2014-08-06)
This is a bugfix release for some outstanding issues in 24.7.0
Changelog:
http://www.palemoon.org/releasenotes-ng.shtml
v24.7.0
Pale Moon: version 24.6.0 (2014-06-06) released
"This is a major update including a rendering engine overhaul and a number of very important fixes."
For details about the changes, see the detailed changelog on PM forum:
http://forum.palemoon.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4768
__philippe
v24.5.0
Pale Moon: version 24.5.0 (2014-04-25) released
"This is a security and bugfix release, to address outstanding known issues and streamline browser identity."
Full changelog:
http://www.palemoon.org/releasenotes-ng.shtml
__philippe
v24.3.0
Palemoon v24.4.1 (2014-03-19) released. "A small security and bugfix release."
Release notes:
- Bugfix: the new status bar code in 24.4.0 had a bug, preventing the downloads panel/window from opening when clicking on the download status indicator. There may have been a few other, similar small usability bugs in the same code that have now been fixed.
-Feature update: Selecting "Warn me when closing multiple tabs" in the Options window will now apply both to closing a window and closing other tabs in the tab bar.
- Bug #940714 - Add an RAII class to make synchronous raster image decoding safer.
- Bug #896268 - Use a stateless approach to synchronous image decoding. security fix
- Bug #982909 - Consistently use inner window when calling OpenJS. security fix
- Bug #982957 - Fix crash if certain sweeps run out of memory. security fix
- Bug #982906 - Remove option for security bypass in URI building. security fix
- Bug #983344 - JavaScript: Simplify typed arrays and fix GC loops. security fix
- Bug #982974 - Be paranoid about neutering ArrayBuffer objects. security fix
v24.3.0
Pale Moon: v24.4.0 (2014-03-10) released
Release notes:
http://www.palemoon.org/releasenotes-ng.shtml
v24.3.0
Australis isn't to bad but is pretty much a chrome rip off. In version 29 with Australis they have now added an option to show the titlebar or not. Only issue I, and many others, have with Australis is the space in the GUI and no option for small icons any more.
v24.3.0
@carbonize - My belief is Moonchild is going to keep his UI exactly the same as it is currently. I use Firefox most of the time now, but I will be getting rid of Australis with an addon when it hits.
v24.3.0
@freakazoid - I think Moonchild needs to remember they are supposed to be just a fork not a redesign. Wonder what he intends to do when Australis goes live.
v24.3.0
Pale Moon v24.3.2 (2014-02-11) released
Important update to add support for TLS v1.2, fix bugs, update security and add new features.
More info in the release notes :
http://www.palemoon.org/releasenotes-ng.shtml
__philippe
v24.3.0
PaleMoon v24.3.1 (2014-01-31) released
A minor bugfix release to address some issues with new code in 24.3.
http://www.palemoon.org/palemoon-portable.shtml
Changelog:
- Fine-tuned the title-bar title text position to work a little better on Windows 8 systems.
- Fixed a problem with the classic download manager window not opening and/or downloads not
starting when using the classic download manager.
- Security fix: Bug 945334 - Fix runnable pointer holding.
- Merged Linux-specific theme code into the source tree for the pm4linux project.
v24.3.0
Man, v24.3's change to add the page title messed up my custom layout. Had to manually remove the page title with Stylish using this - http://forum.palemoon.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3746
v24.3.0
PaleMoon: v 24.3.0 (2014-01-28) released
A fairly significant update with feature updates, bugfixes, and security fixes.
Installation recommended.
Changelog:
http://www.palemoon.org/releasenotes-ng.shtml
v24.2.2
If you dislike the Pale Moon ctrl+tab interface (like me):
http://www.palemoon.org/faq.shtml#Preference:_I_prefer_the_old_Ctrl-Tab
v24.2.2
Palemoon v 24.2.2 released (2013-12-11)
Mainly a security update
http://www.palemoon.org/releasenotes-ng.shtml
v24.2.0
PaleMoon Portable v 24.2.1 released
http://www.palemoon.org/palemoon-portable.shtml
Pale Moon: Release notes 24.2.1 (2013-12-04)
A minor bugfix update:
- Fix for some status bar localizations not working and giving an error.
- Implementation of an optimized QuickFind routine.
- Implementation of per-zone user data handling.
- Security fix in the JPEG library.
- Security fix in web workers.
v24.2.0
PaleMoon Portable v 24.2.0 released
http://www.palemoon.org/palemoon-portable.shtml
v20.1
shodan816: Add a batch file to kick off the program then delete the empty folders the progam leaves behind. Alternatively start the prog off inside a batch shell and change the %appdata% folder for that batch shell.
v20.1
@freakaziod,thank you for your reply
@I am Baas, I never noticed this, will take a look at it, thanks
v19.0.1
SlimBrowser writes to the registry at: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FlashPeak\SlimBrowser\BarState-SCBar-59432
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FlashPeak\SlimBrowser\BarState-SCBar-59437
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FlashPeak\SlimBrowser\BarState-Summary
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FlashPeak\SlimBrowser\IPCCommands
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FlashPeak\SlimBrowser\IPCSharedData
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FlashPeak\SlimBrowser\Settings
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FlashPeak\SlimBrowser\TypedURLs
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FlashPeak\SlimBrowser
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MNITFILE\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\QSEGFILE\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SBCMFILE\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SBFMFILE\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SBJBFILE\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SGPFILE\shell\open\command
v19.0.1
@sps - It's up to people in TPFC to add new programs.
You have the ability to add it yourself; there should be an "Add Entry" button in the top right-hand corner of the page.
FYI, Slimboat was mentioned in the forums:
http://www.portablefreeware.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20336&hilit=slimboat
It's by the same author as Slimbrowser, but uses the Webkit engine instead of Trident (IE engine).
v19.0.1
@shodan816 - You're right; I checked Pale Moon's forum and the following thread verifies what you're saying:
http://forum.palemoon.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1354
I've updated the listing to reflect this.
Other than those locations, are there any other places where Pale Moon Portable leaks?
v15.4.0
You can call this version 'Portable' all you want, but it is NOT PORTABLE! Most people define portable as not writing to the client's system, or at least not leaving a trace once the application is closed. This version fails on both levels. I fix computers for a living and my clients do not want remnants of my apps left behind when I finish with their PC's. Other portable browsers, specifically SlimBrowser are truly portable.
v15.4.0
I've been using this as my main browser for a year now. Never had any problems. I like it because besides the speed increase, the author has a cautious approach to new features and designs in Firefox.
v15.3.1
Ditto I gave up as it is fast but buggy as a wisconsin summer day-kept saying extentsions were not compatable with this version!
v15.2.1
The only extension that isn't compatible is Status-4-Evar.
The rest work fine for me; I should note that I have plugin compatibility disabled.
V15.2
I have tried many versions of this browser and gave up,yes it is fast but very buggy,especially with extensions and themes,both install fine then next time you run it it says certain themes and extensions are not compatable with this version!Yikes!
V15.2
Thanks for the info, freakzoid. BTW, that URL was one example -- it wouldn't open in Palemoon before I opened it with Waterfox...
V15.0
Hi Midas, try reading this thread and see if it helps - http://forum.palemoon.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1307
V15.0
I'm also experiencing some odd browsing glitches with the latest (no-install) version...
V15.0
@freakazoid ~ Yep, already done. They have a "Contact" page and I sent the same info. (Better than jumping through hoops to join a forum I'll only use once.)
V15.0
@mnx - Interesting indeed! You might want to let the Pale Moon developers know at forum.palemoon.org.
V15.0
v15.0 - Just in case anyone else has this problem: (I'm running this on Win 8) After d/l, clicked on app to launch, but it would not progress. The PM site says first launch of their portable will be slow, about 30 seconds, but 5 minutes later it still wasn't launching. No way to kill it, not even from Task Manager, I rebooted. Tried it again...same results. Then, before the next attempt, I turned off my internet connection. BOOM! Extracted and works just fine. So, there's something hinky with their self-extractor and internet access...at least on this version.
V15.0
v12 of Pale Moon comes with an update to the portable launcher. Acording to the dev, it is recommended to make a fresh install (with a copy over of your profile files if desired) and not use an in-place upgrade. More info is available on the download page.
V12
@emka - You'll have a better setup than I do to test since I have Firefox installed on my com. Feel free to edit the "Stealth" entry.
V9.0.1
I've never had any Mozilla or derived product on this machine before and I have never seen this folder in my AppData before. It was on Win7x64 with the x64 version of Pale Moon. I opened the add-ins tab to check whether it could find the flash plugin I have installed for use with Opera. (It did find it.) Could that be the reason?
V9.0.1
@emka - Is this on a fresh install? Or is this with some Firefox plugins installed?
V9.0.1
@zak_711: Could you please rephrase?
I'll answer to the "I didnt undrstand the difference" part anyway:
The people who use the non-portable ZIP distribution want to run Pale Moon without installation. It's faster to just extract the ZIP file and run the browser.
However, they explicitly WANT Pale Moon to save its settings to %APPDATA%. (Otherwise they would just use Pale Moon Portable.)
V7.0a
I think it's a kind of joke, as that zip works perfectly with WPPL and with PApps launcher. @SYSTEM I didnt undrstand the difference, about jokes, about Avira set up creator and the link i have to splitted about the toolbar.
V6.0.2
A definite favorite and my default browser. Highly recommended in both portable and non-portable versions, although you can still find good lighter/faster alternatives.
V6.0.2
@zak_711: The non-portable ZIP distribution is targeted for people who don't want to install Pale Moon (unpack and run) but who don't want to use Pale Moon portably (shame on them! ;)
V6.0.2
Here is another portable version with multiprofil GUI.
http://svsload.com/wd/palemoon-portable-%e2%80%93-multiprofil
V4.0.5
Saw it first on this site a while ago, and decided to give ita try. Never looked back, is wonderful, very stable, lightning fast and very compatible; so far I haven't had any problems, crashes, etc, compared to plain, ol' firefox. Besides, it is very memory friendly, It has became my regular browser, even makes me to pass on Firefox 4. I highly recommend it.
V3.6.15a
It definitely runs faster than Firefox 3.5+ but it seems less stable. It crashed on me numerous times. Firefox seems slow and sluggish in comparison but I think I prefer that to instability. Nice idea, though.
V3.6.15
hugh_h: compiling software for early hardware has advantages beyond simply working on more computers. Faster testing, deployment, download, and more.
V3.6.14
So let me get this straight. Regular Firefox was written to support what? The 8088 through Pentium 3? Aren't those all in landfills or running Linux by now?
V3.6.14
it'd be interesting to see what speed improvements it'd have with firefox 4.0
Hmm... Pale Moon seems to backup the passwords and bookmarks. Check out the /backups/ folder in your PaleMoon folder, my backups folder is now 120MB! Check out the .ini file to remove this functionality and reclaim your USB drive space!
grannyGeek: Firefox MHT Plugin: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/8051/
@grannyGreek, there are FireFox free plugins that can open and save to MHT so as long as this program can use extensions, you will be ok.
Seems nice, but Firefox and all its forks REFUSE to work with mht or mhtl files. I save lots of web pages to read off-line, I use mht format so as not to have lots of html folders (and MSIE saves to mht by default).
Unless some wizard knows how to force Firefox/Palemoon to use mht, I guess I will have to stand with Opera and Internet Explorer. Too bad, it seems like a very nice piece of software.
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