If there are problems with updating then best is to download the full version and uninstall the currently installed version and delete the Firefox program folder to remove any leftover files if there are still problems.

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

• Firefox 14.0.x: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all.html

Uninstall your current Firefox version, if possible, to cleanup the registry.

• 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.

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.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_backup

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Clean_reinstall

Yes, I already knew that the workaraound was to download the latest version and then install it. But thanks for the tip about preserving bookmarks and other profile data.

My question was WHY will Firefox not update using the Help>About Firefox>apply update facility? Because having to uninstall the old version and then reinstall the new is a complete pain in the butt!