can't delete firefox on mac, says it is still open?
Dragged firefox to trash, but will not delete as it tells me that ' The operation can’t be completed because the item “Firefox” is in use' I've checked my Activity Monitor and there are no Firefox files open or running as far as I can see. I wanted to re-install because whenever Firefox updated it said that it could not as there was another version running. Please advice,
Paul
All Replies (6)
Reboot the computer. That should clean out any running program.
Download Firefox Full Installer 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.
Look for, and rename any Mozilla and Firefox folders by adding .old to them.
Now run the full installer. If all goes well, remove the OLD folders when you are done.
Thanks FredMcD, Followed your steps but when I try to delete the firefox.old file, thrash now says: The operation can’t be completed because the item “Firefox.old” is in use' The new firefox is up and running no problem however. But I am still unable to get rid of the old file..... any other solutions?
Cheers, Paul
Hmm, that is very odd. By renaming the folder, anything trying to call something in the folder should give back an error.
Start your Computer in safe mode.
Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia
Use you file browser to delete the old folders.
After, run the mal-ware scanner. http://www.clamxav.com/ free malware scanner for Mac OS X https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3291
I haver been on the phone with an Apple Genius adviser regarding this problem for over 2 hours and he took remote control of the Mac. Tried every trick in the box from changing root sers and trying to delete it, changing permissions on every level, from using every override command in the book via the terminal console. Nothing seems to shift it. He was/is baffled. It's been referred back to Apple as we speak but the likely outcome will be a complete wipe as this is turning into a problem with graver consequences. I will keep you all posted.
Paul
ps ran clamware and found nothing. We had already tried safemode with the advisor.
- (
On Windows, the computer has a register that tells Windows what programs to run and where to find them. Do you have this on Mac?
Using the file browser, open one of the bad folders. DELETE EVERYTHING ! If something can't be deleted, post its name here. Do this in Safe Mode !