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Why does FF open in Administrator mode?

  • 7 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 19 views
  • Last reply by John99

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Firefox is opening in Administrator Mode. How can I fix that (& why do I even have to, all I did was click the download and install it).

Firefox is opening in Administrator Mode. How can I fix that (& why do I even have to, all I did was click the download and install it).

Chosen solution

I have diagnosed the issue in the difference between your assumptions and my assumptions and have resolved my challenge.

1) You assumed that FF users have (or can or should have) the 'default' 'desktop' located icon for FF (It DOES work in the sequence you described when placed on the 'desktop' - but just differently enough when alternately stored on the taskbar to insert ca-ca into the game when trying to follow directions by literal step by step).

2) I assumed that the FF icon that I prefer to keep in the taskbar rather than cluttering my desktop (in my case at the bottom of the desktop) should respond identically to the right clicks that you prescribed (spoiler alert they don't).

3) 1st right click on the FF icon in a TASKBAR (rather than desktop) yields an initial dialog box that does NOT include a link for 'properties' (because the 1st right-click dialog box for any icon in the taskbar is first a "Tasks" dlalog box and NOT the dialog box of the program for which the icon appears. Thus some 'corn-fusion'.

So here is the sequence that worked for me finally: 1st right-click -> 'task dialog box -> 2nd right-click on the program's icon that appears in a list (FF) -> 3rd right-click yields the aforementioned 'Properties' link which includes the options you mentioned along with yet another ODDITY of this 'default' installation of FF.

Initially I mindlessly downloaded and clicked on the install and let Mozilla work it's magic with very little attention to how the sausage was being made. I made NO tweaks to the installation, choosing instead to commence use right out of the box (so-to-speak). BUT, in-spite of running 64-bit Windoz 7 Ulitimate Mozilla's install set itself a check in the 'Compatibility mode' configuration box for "Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" with no assist from me. I have unchecked that choice and restarted FF and nothing has melted down so far.

Cheers & Beers, Don

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All Replies (7)

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That does not normally happen.

Cor-el posted: /questions/1089142#answer-794671

A possible cause of this message is that Firefox is set to run as Administrator. Check that Firefox isn't set to run as Administrator. Right-click the Firefox desktop shortcut and choose "Properties". Make sure that all items are deselected in the "Compatibility" tab of the Properties window.
  • Privilege Level: "Run this program as Administrator" should not be selected
  • "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" should not be selected
Does that fix the issue ?
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I'm sorry I have seen that cut & paste response before but there is no such choice when right-clicking on the desktop or toolbar or any other location of the FF icon. So right out of the gate that suggested solution fails. Nice try, and thanks for playing.

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I do not often use Windows, but am in Windows 10 at present and I get such an option, and I am certain I do also in Windows 7

Have you got a desktop icon to launch Firefox from. there should be one by default. Alternatively if you can track down the Firefox executable file itself firefox.exe that will also display that information if you right click and select properties.

You are apparently posting from a Windows 7 64bit computer using the standard Firefox 32bit for Windows. You may search for the file, find it from the shortcut or navigate to its default location

  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
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Chosen Solution

I have diagnosed the issue in the difference between your assumptions and my assumptions and have resolved my challenge.

1) You assumed that FF users have (or can or should have) the 'default' 'desktop' located icon for FF (It DOES work in the sequence you described when placed on the 'desktop' - but just differently enough when alternately stored on the taskbar to insert ca-ca into the game when trying to follow directions by literal step by step).

2) I assumed that the FF icon that I prefer to keep in the taskbar rather than cluttering my desktop (in my case at the bottom of the desktop) should respond identically to the right clicks that you prescribed (spoiler alert they don't).

3) 1st right click on the FF icon in a TASKBAR (rather than desktop) yields an initial dialog box that does NOT include a link for 'properties' (because the 1st right-click dialog box for any icon in the taskbar is first a "Tasks" dlalog box and NOT the dialog box of the program for which the icon appears. Thus some 'corn-fusion'.

So here is the sequence that worked for me finally: 1st right-click -> 'task dialog box -> 2nd right-click on the program's icon that appears in a list (FF) -> 3rd right-click yields the aforementioned 'Properties' link which includes the options you mentioned along with yet another ODDITY of this 'default' installation of FF.

Initially I mindlessly downloaded and clicked on the install and let Mozilla work it's magic with very little attention to how the sausage was being made. I made NO tweaks to the installation, choosing instead to commence use right out of the box (so-to-speak). BUT, in-spite of running 64-bit Windoz 7 Ulitimate Mozilla's install set itself a check in the 'Compatibility mode' configuration box for "Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" with no assist from me. I have unchecked that choice and restarted FF and nothing has melted down so far.

Cheers & Beers, Don

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Good, Sounds like it is sorted then.

I do have one Windows XP machine still with Firefox on it. I do not recall default installs of Firefox being set to compatibility mode by the Firefox installer, but that is not important to you now you have fixed it.

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RE: "Run this program as Administrator" should not be selected"

A. Probably correct?

RE: "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" should not be selected

Tried this on Firefox Icon and on Firefox.exe to. Now cannot open Firefox at all.

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Presumably you are using Windows. Use a commandline by pressing the keyboard Windows Key and R together them type in or paste in firefox.exe and press enter. That should start Firefox. Does that work at least as a temporary fix ?

I do not often use Windows these days. I think a clean install may fix the issue, but I am not certain. I do know you should not need to use runas administrator or an old compatibility mode & that normally changing that from the right click options is the easiest method. (It will be a registry value but that is not something to mess with directly)


If you still have problems please post a question of your own using /questions/new/desktop preferably when using Firefox, and try to follow the prompts to provide troubleshooting information.

Once you have done that if you reply again in this thread we will be able to find your question.

Please also say what version of Windows you are using.

Modified by John99