Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Firefox won't install for all users in Windows 8.1; only installs for administrator

  • 6 replies
  • 20 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by djaroslaw

djaroslaw
djaroslaw
more options

Since moving to Windows 8.1, I have been unable to install Firefox for multiple users on this laptop. Firefox installs only for the Administrator (me), and does not appear on any other user account. When I try installing from one of the other user accounts (after entering my administrator password), it simply won't install.

Since moving to Windows 8.1, I have been unable to install Firefox for multiple users on this laptop. Firefox installs only for the Administrator (me), and does not appear on any other user account. When I try installing from one of the other user accounts (after entering my administrator password), it simply won't install.

All Replies (6)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Hi djaroslaw, your Firefox data is personal to your Windows profile, but the program files should always be available.

If you are logged in as a second user and go to the program list (click the down arrow from the start page), is Firefox listed there anywhere? If so, will it start?

Alternately, if you call up the Run dialog (WinKey + R) can you start Firefox? You can type or paste firefox.exe and press Enter (or click/tap OK).

djaroslaw
djaroslaw Question owner
more options

Jscher, thanks much for your quick response. By the way, for some odd reason, I got your response twice. Unfortunately, if I log is as a second user, Firefox is *not* listed as a program, and cannot be called up using the Run command.

Thanks again.

DJ

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

I think if Run doesn't work, then Firefox was not installed for "All Users". I don't know the file and registry differences, or whether there is a quick way to switch it. Hopefully a Windows 8/8.1 expert will have a suggestion short of reinstalling.

djaroslaw
djaroslaw Question owner
more options

jscher, thanks again. I'd be perfectly happy to delete Firefox and reinstall it -- I've tried that several times -- but I'm not sure how one would go about installing it for "All Users." Certainly, under previous version of Windows, the default installation was for "All Users." In fact, if you wanted to install it for only a single user, you had to jump through some hoops. Perhaps someone has a sure-fire way to install for "All Users"...

DJ

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

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

Also check the Properties of the firefox.exe program in the Firefox program folder (C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\).

djaroslaw
djaroslaw Question owner
more options

Cor-el:

Thanks for your reply. I have checked, and all items in the "Compatibility" window are deselected, and the program is *not* set to run as "Administrator." I'm a bit baffled as to why it won't install. Even if I try to install the program from one of the other accounts, it won't appear there.

DJ