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After download of Firefox 18, computer completes restart, computer comes back up but no Firefox.

  • 5 replies
  • 4 have this problem
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  • Last reply by catesnancy

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I downloaded the Firefox 18 update. Computer goes to restart, completes restart but no Firefox.

There is no longer an icon on the desktop. I have tried doing an uninstall through the Control Panel, I get a message that says I must restart computer, I do the restart and no Firefox anywhere. I tried to just delete the program by going into the Program Folder and it won't delete.

I tried to do fresh downloads over 10 times and no luck! What should I do now?

I downloaded the Firefox 18 update. Computer goes to restart, completes restart but no Firefox. There is no longer an icon on the desktop. I have tried doing an uninstall through the Control Panel, I get a message that says I must restart computer, I do the restart and no Firefox anywhere. I tried to just delete the program by going into the Program Folder and it won't delete. I tried to do fresh downloads over 10 times and no luck! What should I do now?

All Replies (5)

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Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder before reinstalling a fresh copy of Firefox.

  • (32 bit Windows) C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\
  • (64 bit Windows) C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\

Download a fresh Firefox copy and save the file to the desktop.

Uninstall your current Firefox version, if possible, to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

  • Do NOT remove personal data when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because all profile folders will be removed and you will also lose your personal data like bookmarks and passwords from profiles of other Firefox versions.

Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.

Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored in the Firefox Profile Folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure that "remove personal data" is NOT selected when you uninstall Firefox.

If you keep having problems then also create a new profile.


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Since Firefox 18 isn't completely installed (the repeated requests to restart that don't work) it can't be uninstalled. Previous versions are no longer installed, so the computer is in limbo. System Restore doesn't work, either.

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Try to boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps to remove Firefox.

You can also try to run the Firefox program once as Administrator (right-click: Run as Administrator).

Modified by cor-el

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Unfortunately, no effect to booting in safe mode. Firefox also no longer "exists" in order to right click on it. Can't be downloaded, can't be uninstalled...

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Here, I have a solution (from Windows 8). In the "Start" screen, right click on the Firefox ap. Then click the "open file location" at the bottom of your screen. Highlight and delete all Mozilla files. THEN you can do a fresh download from firefox.com. (Here's what didn't help: starting in safe mode, uninstalling the software, running as Administrator.) Good luck!