Admin 64-bit Win 7 Prof cannot open existing FF 45.0.1 or install (save/run) 46.0.1--ALL ATTEMPTS produce "A required privilege is not held by the client."
Administrator on 64-bit Windows 7 Professional unable to open existing Firefox (45.0.1) or install 46.0.1 (with save or run) -- ALL ATTEMPTS produce this pop-up: "A required privilege is not held by the client."
Version 45.0.1 was working. As I usually do and have done for many versions of Firefox, I downloaded Firefox Setup Stub 46.0.1 with Save rather than Run. However, I could not run it from the download. Firefox was still working. Then I used the Update from inside Firefox (which I presume was the same download), and Firefox has not worked since. I cannot open it with the icon on my taskbar, by using the Start menu, or by clicking on firefox.exe in C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox.
I have spent HOURS searching and reading and trying possible solutions to other problems (not Firefox) where the users had that, or a similar, message. Nothing has worked.
The Securities tab of the Properties of the firefox.exe file shows three "Group or user names" -- SYSTEM, Administrators (with-my-name-here), and Users (with-my-name-again). SYSTEM and Administrators have all "Permissions for Users" allowed (except for "Special permissions" for which neither Allow nor Deny is ticked). Users has ticks to Allow only for "Read & execute" and "Read".
The Advanced Security Settings show me as Administrator as the Owner. I have "Full control" in Permissions (not inherited), and a second entry with me as Administrator also indicates "Full control" (inherited from C:\Program Files (x86)\ for this entry). The SYSTEM entry also has "Full control" (inherited from C:\Program Files (x86)\ . The Users (with-my-name) has a "Read & execute" Permission (inherited from C:\Program Files (x86)\ .
So, I have "Full control".
What does "A required privilege is not held by the client" mean?
Who is the client?
What is the "required privilege"?
And where does one get it?
For a few days I have been receiving pop-ups about updating to a newer version of Thunderbird. Normally I would do so without hesitation (as I have done in the past with Firefox). However, I am now afraid to attempt this in case the same thing happens with Thunderbird and I can't access my emails. At least I can use another browser (as I am obviously doing to post this).
Years ago I used Netscape Navigator (preferred) and Internet Explorer. The first time I used Firefox was at an Internet café on a holiday. I had to learn to use it because it was the only browser on the machines. When I got home, I downloaded Firefox and have been using it ever since. I loved the multiple tabs (which IE did not have at the time). I have IE and Chromodo on my machine, but I only use them for sites that don't work with Firefox (fewer and fewer as the years have gone by).
Can someone help me so that I can return to Firefox? Please?
All Replies (9)
Let’s do a full clean re-install; Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link} Save the file. Then;
Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.
Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86) Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. Linux: Check your user manual.
Do Not remove the profiles folder.
Look for, and rename any Mozilla or Firefox program folders by adding .old to them.
After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner. Then run the installer. If all goes well, remove the OLD folders when you are done.
MANY THANKS for your reply.
I downloaded the 64-bit English (US) version (and, of course, checked it with my antivirus, Comodo). I am hoping this full 45,457 KB file instead of the 237 KB stub.exe file will be the solution (or the basis of the solution) to my problem.
Mozilla / Firefox references found:
Mozilla in C:\Program Files (No folders -- one file, but in GIMP 2, not a Mozilla folder.) _MozillaCookieJar.py in C:\Program Files\GIMP 2\Python\Lib (Rename / okay to leave?)
Firefox in C:\Program Files none
Mozilla in C:\Program Files (x86) Mozilla Firefox renamed Mozilla Firefox.OLD Mozilla Maintenance Service ?? (Will renaming affect Thunderbird?) Mozilla Thunderbird ?? (Okay to leave?) Mozilla Plugins ?? (Will renaming affect Thunderbird?)
Mozilla in C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\browser\features (Files, not folders -- your instructions did not specify files. Should I rename them, or is that unnecessary?) e10srollout@mozilla.org.xpi loop@mozilla.org.xpi
Firefox in C:\Program Files (x86) Mozilla Firefox.OLD (changed when renamed in "Mozilla" results) (Two files now in the renamed Mozilla Firefox.OLD folder -- unnecessary to rename?) firefox@getpocket.com.xpi firefox.exe
The Profiles folder is not in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86). I have not searched for "Mozilla" and "Firefox" everywhere but only in these two locations that you mentioned. Should I look elsewhere as well?
I hope you can put up with my questions and step-by-step wariness. I am worried about getting deeper into the hole I'm in. When I said I had spent "HOURS" searching and trying things, I was not exaggerating. (I have copies of the Profiles folders from C:Users\(myname)\AppData\Local and C:Users\(myname)\AppData\Roaming saved in a non-system folder from one of those attempts. I have not deleted the Profiles folders or those copies.)
Do you have any recommendation/s for a registry scanner? I have not gone into the registry since Windows XP or 98SE. I can remember going through it manually many years ago to get rid of Norton/Symantec references (before they had a tool that could be downloaded from their site to do that job).
Thank you again for your assistance.
By renaming the old folders, you can do a clean install in case there is a bad file in the folder. Thunderbird should not be affected.
It is 7:10 am here. After I posted my reply above to you I disconnected my Internet connection and turned my modem off, but I did NOT turn my laptop off. I also did not close any open windows (including Thunderbird, Internet Explorer with this tab and others open, and Windows Explorer windows). I had a few hours sleep.
As indicated, I had only renamed C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox to C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox.OLD, as I was (and still am) wary about making changes that might affect Thunderbird.
Did that only name change I made cause the C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Plugins folder to disappear while I was sleeping? If not, what did? Is that one less thing to worry about or one more?
Renaming Mozilla Thunderbird to Mozilla Thunderbird.OLD will not affect Thunderbird?
Is it safe to assume that the files I found do not require renaming as you have again referred only to folders?
As this is the first time I have posted a problem here, this exchange is also a learning experience for me.
Thanks again.
Try this:
- Download the Firefox installer and save the file to the desktop
*https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/ - Start the installation with a double-click on the desktop icon
FredMcD and cor-el,
As mentioned above, I renamed the Mozilla Firefox file to Mozilla Firefox.OLD. I saved the installer to the desktop and double-clicked on it.
Result: pop-up with the same message as in my very lengthy original query: "A required privilege is not held by the client."
What is next?
Many of the links in this Bing search are the same ones I went to in my Google search. The reason I gave so much detail in my original question was because I had tried so many of the things at these links (e.g. Properties > Security tab > Advanced, for permissions -- I figured that if I provided all of these details, no one would suggest I change anything in Properties).
Since I had no problems with Firefox 45.0.1 before my attempts to upgrade, hoping that the full version of it (rather than the stub.exe file) would solve my problem, I downloaded it and attempted to install it.
"A required privilege is not held by the client."
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-older-version-of-firefox includes links for the older versions and a warning about the security risk/s of using older ones. I figured I could at least try the older one.
My late husband used to say I was like a dog with a bone that just wouldn't let go. Perhaps this is an instance where I'll be forced to. I don't want to use another browser as my main one, but I might have to.
I've called the big guys to help you. Good luck.
Try asking here also; https://support.microsoft.com