If you are an Ubuntian (Ubuntu user), you’ve probably known Ubuntu updates its software versions every six months with a new release. Mostly, Mozilla, upgrades Firefox / Thunderbird often with security patches or new features-based releases. Ubuntu often includes security patches with its own versions in a day or a week after Mozilla releases their patches, but many Ubuntians are impatient and would prefer to install the latest version of Firefox from Mozilla and use that instead of the Ubuntu build of Firefox.

Unfortunately, you cannot find .deb package on Mozilla’s website, there are some other methods to install released & upcoming versions of Firefox. For that you have to add third-party repositories on your sourcelist.

For more details, click below to have a look at popular installation methods via Repository,

ubuntu-mozilla-daily PPA
Mozilla Beta PPA
Ubuntuzilla

Discussing about above mentioned methods are totally out of topic. Whatever method you use, some Ubuntians like me, will be never satisfied until they installed it from Mozilla’s official website. Unfortunately there is no .deb package available to install the latest Firefox. Follow my tutorial to install original Firefox and Thunderbird from official Mozilla’s website.

Tutorial: How to install the latest Firefox and Thunderbird in Ubuntu?

sudo mv ~/firefox /opt && sudo ln -s /opt/firefox/firefox /usr/bin/firefox

command for Thunderbird,

sudo mv ~/thunderbird /opt && sudo ln -s /opt/thunderbird/thunderbird /usr/bin/thunderbird

Purpose of the executed command:
By using this command, we have moved that particular folder(firefox/thunderbird) to the /opt directory, and also we have created a link to shell script,i.e. Location: /usr/bin, Link target /opt/firefox/firefox or /opt/thunderbird/thunderbird.

Bonus Tutorial: How to create a launcher for our Firefox and Thunderbird?

Now, we need to create a launcher for our Firefox and Thunderbird. Creating a launcher in Ubuntu is very easy.

(Ref:Screenshot:MainMenu)

For Firefox,

1. In the Name field, enter Mozilla Firefox web browser
2. In the Command field, enter firefox
3. In the Comment field, enter Mozilla Firefox web browser.(This Comment field is for information purposes only and can be left blank)

For thunderbird,

1. In the Name field, enter Mozilla Thunderbird Mail/News
2. In the Command field, enter thunderbird
3. In the Comment field, enter Mozilla Thunderbird Mail/News.(This Comment field is for information purposes only and can be left blank)

(Ref:Screenshot:firefox launcher)

(Ref:Screenshot:thunderbird launcher)

That’s it. Now, you can find Mozilla’s products under the Application > Internet sub-menu.I highly recommend this method to install Mozilla products until they release .deb package. Enjoy

Notes:You can uninstall all your previous Firefox and Thunderbird through synaptic package manager and lock that package to avoid duplication. (System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager, In Synaptic Package Manager Goto Package > Lock version)
KB: Check this thread to optimize and troubleshoot Firefox.