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Firefox icon disapeared, changed to generic windows icon. How to get it back?

  • 5 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 49 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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Not doing anything special, switched on the laptop and all the Firefox icons, desktop + program files + tray, have disapeared and been changed into a generic windows one. Clicking on any of them still opens the browser. How can I get the original back please?

Not doing anything special, switched on the laptop and all the Firefox icons, desktop + program files + tray, have disapeared and been changed into a generic windows one. Clicking on any of them still opens the browser. How can I get the original back please?

Chosen solution

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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All Replies (5)

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Have you tried rebooting the computer?

Also, try starting your Computer in safe mode.

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia

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I have rebooted several times, windows updates for a new computer. All others, inc Thunderbird, are unaffected just Firefox.

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Chosen Solution

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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Sorted, thanks.

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Glad to help. Safe Surfing.