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Firefox will not install. program runs complete, but not installed

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 11 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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Firefox has been locking badly for about a month. I have cleaned and reloaded no help. I run 45ESR version at work, tried to uninstall current version and download ESR (from Mozilla) downloads fine, runs fine, but doesn't load. tried loading the 47 64bit version, doesn't actually load. So now I don't have Mozilla on my PC anymore and even though downloads look to have completed successfully, I have no firefox program loaded.

Firefox has been locking badly for about a month. I have cleaned and reloaded no help. I run 45ESR version at work, tried to uninstall current version and download ESR (from Mozilla) downloads fine, runs fine, but doesn't load. tried loading the 47 64bit version, doesn't actually load. So now I don't have Mozilla on my PC anymore and even though downloads look to have completed successfully, I have no firefox program loaded.

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Fred McD, as luck would have it, I had a power outage a little while ago, so bringing the PC up, i had the option of safe mode. That did it. I loaded the 45.2 ESR file i had and it worked fine.  !!! thanks for your help !!!

EdMeister, i did double check as I did have the stub files at one point, but both of the files i pulled down this week were over 40m and didnt say stub. good thought though.

hopefully the 45 esr version will eliminate all the hangs i got with the 47 ver

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Let’s do a full clean re-install; Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link} Save the file. Then Close Firefox.

Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86) Mac: Open the "Applications" folder.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac Linux: Check your user manual.

Do Not remove the profiles folder.

Look for, and rename any Mozilla or Firefox program folders by adding .old to them. Do not rename the Mozilla Thunderbird folder.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner. Then run the installer. If all goes well, remove the OLD folders when you are done.


If there is a problem, start your Computer in safe mode and try again.

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia

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Fred, I uninstalled FF, I have no Mozilla folder on the PC (program or program x86). i deleted them. I also deleted the data from %app% for the 2 users. I ran CCleaner, and rebooted. I have 2 downloads. FF setup 45.2 esr and FF setup 47.0.1. If I run them, they say complete. but I don't have the program loaded anywhere. I'm not good with windows (I'm from DOS era). but I'm better than my wife or parents. I've got to be missing something simple. rest of the PC working fine. all other applications are good, I just prefer ff to ie.

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Tom411 said

I'm not good with windows (I'm from DOS era)

So am I

The folder in the Programs Folder is called Mozilla or Mozilla Firefox.

Start your Computer in safe mode with networking. Then start the installer. Your protection programs may be the issue.

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia

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Tom411 said

... I have 2 downloads. FF setup 45.2 esr and FF setup 47.0.1 ...

The link that Fred provided was for the "full installer" version of Firefox 47.0.1, that is a 42.9 MB file.

I wonder if you downloaded the stub installer that is only 236KB file size. That installer uses the internet to download the files needed to install Firefox and installs them in "one fell swoop". Some users have problems with the "stub installer", where the "full installer" will work for them.

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Chosen Solution

Fred McD, as luck would have it, I had a power outage a little while ago, so bringing the PC up, i had the option of safe mode. That did it. I loaded the 45.2 ESR file i had and it worked fine.  !!! thanks for your help !!!

EdMeister, i did double check as I did have the stub files at one point, but both of the files i pulled down this week were over 40m and didnt say stub. good thought though.

hopefully the 45 esr version will eliminate all the hangs i got with the 47 ver

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Glad to help. Safe Surfing.