unable to update v7 to v7.01 and unable to open filters in FF

hello. i had an update problem with version 6, then was able to update it because the tech gave me a direct url to download the v6 update. ok, fast forward a few days and i decided to pay for the v7 update. now today i'm seeing there is an update for v7 to v7.01 or something.

i'm having the same problem as i had with v6 update, plus i cannot open filters in filterforge program via the website.

1. using chrome, with adblock disabled and cookies enable, i click the open in filterforge button and nothing happens

2. using firefox (latest v) adblock disabled cookies enabled, i click the button and go to a FF.com page that says "click here to enable cookies", filter forge is not installed etc... i click there to enable cookies (even though i have them enabled) and go back to the filter i want to open and click, then get a message that the address wasn't understood. the address is: filterforge://open-4794

when i try to update via the filter forge app, i get a message see attached.

thanks!

summary: i can't open filters in filterforge v7, i can't update.
additional info: our admin has opened up everything on our firewall and we've tried testing it, that didn't resolve either problem.
using chrome, firefox and also tried IE all with adblocks disabled or removed etc...
OS: windows 7 pro with latest updates.

You always need to have the latest program update to be able to download filters. Version 7.001 is long outdated, the latest one as of now is 7.006. For some reason the automatic updater is unable to use your proxy - please check the proxy settings or simply download and install the latest version manually:

https://www.filterforge.com/download/

This program is sold with the expectation of an ever-expanding library of filters via user submission. If an older version cannot download newer filters, that breaks that promise.

Luckily, it seems to work if the operating system is properly handling the custom protocol that opens filters from the web site. If it isn't, users are totally stuck (this is the case on one of my computers), because there are no direct filter download links from the web site, and in my opinion there should be.