Why would I have 2 separate entries for v65.0.1 (with a different date) in the listing of installed programs?
I recently updated FF to the latest stable release (v65.0.1, 64-bit Win10H) and while examining the program files listed in the Windows "Programs and Features" discovered there are two (2) separate entries for the latest version with slightly different dates a day apart -- why? If I use Windows Explorer to examine the specific installation directory for the executable, I can verify there is only one.
More importantly, how would I clean up or correct the system -- would that occur normally the next time I upgrade (wait-and-see is my preference at present), or must I gyrate the user profile to just have a single program entry?
الحل المُختار
I always download the full English-US language version of the latest release and then execute it for the updating process rather than a clean install. In this instance, doing so resulted in the pretty odd circumstance which is shown in a 2nd screenshot -- a dual installation of v65.0.1 and v65.0.2. This seems to confirm there were actually two separate installations of v65.0.1, something for which I do not have a ready explanation.
I used the "Programs and Features" option to uninstall the remaining v65.0.1 entry, then used CCleaner and Windows' built-in function to clear deadweight and rebooted.
Things have apparently been resolved as from the third screenshot there is now only one FF installation of the latest version and it seems to have all of my user information properly integrated. There is a nag bar on the bottom of the app's frame which states "Looks like you've reinstalled Firefox. Want us to clean it up for a fresh, like-new experience?" and a button at far right to "Refresh Firefox...". I presume that would completely reset everything to default, so am not opting to execute its suggestion. If there is some other way to integrate whatever needs "freshening" without resetting everything to their defaults, I'd be interested.
I would have presumed there's some function in the installer check to determine whether there's already an existing installation of the same version or later, or at least a query to the user who initiated the installation process of whether they wish to have two separate installations, but if there was I certainly didn't see it and the updating process seemed pretty normal for a standard-install upgrade.
In any event, this issue is resolved. Thanks to everyone for the interest and assistance.
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Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.
Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86) Note: Check Both Folders
I've done that -- there is only one folder (in the main Program Files directory) which has the executable of the proper version. The x86 directory has the Mozilla Maintenance Service subdirectory, but not one with another main executable file. Not sure why there are two separate listings, but there doesn't seem to be any conflict going on.
Did you check in the Windows Registry how these two items are present and if they differ?
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
cor-el said
Did you check in the Windows Registry how these two items are present and if they differ?
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
There is only one entry for FF:
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Mozilla Firefox 65.0.1 (x64 en-US)"
I probably should have waited until the next update got processed to see if the artifact would disappear before posting something here (edit: will provide an update on the issue when an update of the FF executable is released).
Modified by jhvance
If you uninstalled one of the firefox install before how did you uninstall it? For there to be two of the same firefox means the user did a Delete the folder itself or used 3rd party uninstaller of which didn't do it's job and caused it to remain in the registery leading to the two firefox showing. When uninstalling any software one is to use the Software provided uninstaller first and if there is problem contact the software support of other options what to do next.
Modified by WestEnd
الحل المُختار
I always download the full English-US language version of the latest release and then execute it for the updating process rather than a clean install. In this instance, doing so resulted in the pretty odd circumstance which is shown in a 2nd screenshot -- a dual installation of v65.0.1 and v65.0.2. This seems to confirm there were actually two separate installations of v65.0.1, something for which I do not have a ready explanation.
I used the "Programs and Features" option to uninstall the remaining v65.0.1 entry, then used CCleaner and Windows' built-in function to clear deadweight and rebooted.
Things have apparently been resolved as from the third screenshot there is now only one FF installation of the latest version and it seems to have all of my user information properly integrated. There is a nag bar on the bottom of the app's frame which states "Looks like you've reinstalled Firefox. Want us to clean it up for a fresh, like-new experience?" and a button at far right to "Refresh Firefox...". I presume that would completely reset everything to default, so am not opting to execute its suggestion. If there is some other way to integrate whatever needs "freshening" without resetting everything to their defaults, I'd be interested.
I would have presumed there's some function in the installer check to determine whether there's already an existing installation of the same version or later, or at least a query to the user who initiated the installation process of whether they wish to have two separate installations, but if there was I certainly didn't see it and the updating process seemed pretty normal for a standard-install upgrade.
In any event, this issue is resolved. Thanks to everyone for the interest and assistance.
That was very good work. Well done.