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I use a Little program that backs up everything in Firefox but since I have the quantum updates I try to use it but it always says that Firefox is running, now I know I close Firefox as its not in device manager so I assume, like chrome it runs in the background or another process is running so I cant back it up. How do I stop it running in the background?

I use a Little program that backs up everything in Firefox but since I have the quantum updates I try to use it but it always says that Firefox is running, now I know I close Firefox as its not in device manager so I assume, like chrome it runs in the background or another process is running so I cant back it up. How do I stop it running in the background?

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How do you exit Firefox? I recommend using the menu, either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "power" Exit button
  • (menu bar) File > Exit

That should cause Firefox to unload the main process as well as all open content processes -- as a multiprocess application, Firefox may commonly run 5 processes.

To make sure Firefox has exited fully, you can check the Windows 10 Task Manager -- Ctrl+Shift+Esc -- Processes tab or Details tab (firefox.exe).

If Firefox processes are running before you start it or after you Exit, some other program on your system may be using Firefox, which I consider suspicious...

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ningaginger666 said

... so I assume, like chrome it runs in the background or another process is running so I cant back it up.

Yes, Chrome does have a process always running when the computer is turned on, which I think is an "updater" process, but Firefox doesn't have an always running process. Firefox does a check for availability of updates as Firefox is being launched for the first time of each day, within the first few minutes of the startup procedures.

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Ive just read an article stating Firefox does have more than 1 process in Quantum. its for ad-dons. So basically the thing that I would like to backup is the thing that's stopping me, Thanks a lot for nothing it seems

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Hi ningaginger666, when you exit Firefox normally, ALL of its processes should shut down. Please see my previous reply regarding how to check for background processes when you encounter the error. What do you find?

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ningaginger666 said

Ive just read an article stating Firefox does have more than 1 process in Quantum. its for ad-dons. So basically the thing that I would like to backup is the thing that's stopping me, Thanks a lot for nothing it seems

You're Welcome. Please don't stop there though.

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The main Firefox process stops but sneakily its also running a process or processes that are not identifiable, bummer.

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What do you mean by "not identifiable"? The only processes Firefox should run are named:

  • firefox.exe
  • plugin-container.exe (for Flash content)

On the Details tab of the Windows 10 Task Manager, you should be able to sort the Image Name column alphabetically to more easily find them. Maybe open that before exiting Firefox to see how many there are, then after exiting, make sure they all disappear.

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I'm afraid there is something else. I dont know what its called but there is.

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ningaginger666 said

I'm afraid there is something else. I dont know what its called but there is.

Or your backup software is wrong... Have you mentioned this problem to the vendor? Does it work just after Windows startup before you use Firefox at all?

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Nope to all. But I will let the vendor or vendors know and see if they can help.