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Firefox automatically downloads .exe files to Temp and opens them without prompting anything, help!

  • 13 replies
  • 5 have this problem
  • 85 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

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Guys, I can't seem to find out the reasons for such behavior and the search returned nothing, can anyone help?

Guys, I can't seem to find out the reasons for such behavior and the search returned nothing, can anyone help?

Chosen solution

TornaD-oz said

in Safe Mode there is a prompt to save or cancel .exe downloads.

Firefox save or computer safe?

If Firefox; It could be the work of one of your add-ons. Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac=<Command>)<Shift> A)

In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Disable a few add-ons, then Restart Firefox.

Some added toolbar and anti-virus add-ons are known to cause Firefox issues. Disable All of them.

If the problem continues, disable some more (restarting FF). Continue until the problem is gone. After, you know what group is causing the issue. Re-enable the last group ONE AT A TIME (restarting FF) until the problem returns.

Once you think you found the problem, disable that and re-enable all the others, then restart again. Let us know who the suspect is, detective.

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All Replies (13)

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In "Options", .exe files are set to save. I have deleted any Malware present with ADWCleaner, but the issue persists - Firefox automatically saves and opens .exe files.

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Deleting the mimeTypes.rdf will reset all download actions to the default settings.

Type about:support in the address bar and press enter.

Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.

Locate the above file. Then rename or delete it. Restart Firefox.

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Thanks, FredMcD, I've located the file you mentioned, deleted it and restarted Firefox. The behavior didn't change, it's still downloading .exe files automatically to the Temp folder and launches them.

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What website is doing this? What is the name of the file?

You may have ad / mal-ware. Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.

Run most or all of the listed malware scanners. Each works differently. If one program misses something, another may pick it up.

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Every .exe file that can be downloaded is downloaded automatically and launched after that, regardless of the website or filename. I'll try the malware scanners next, thanks for the tip.

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FredMcD, I've tried all the Malware Scanners mentioned in the article, they found some tracking cookies and some Malware in my "User.js" file, all of those being removed, the behavior persists.

The "Applications" tab in the Options now doesn't even list the .exe rule now, but nothing has changed.

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Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift>
(Mac=Options)
key, and then starting Firefox. A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh).

Is the problem still there?


Start your Computer in safe mode with networking. Then start Firefox. Try Safe websites. Is the problem still there?

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia

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FredMcD, no, in Safe Mode there is a prompt to save or cancel .exe downloads.

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Chosen Solution

TornaD-oz said

in Safe Mode there is a prompt to save or cancel .exe downloads.

Firefox save or computer safe?

If Firefox; It could be the work of one of your add-ons. Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac=<Command>)<Shift> A)

In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Disable a few add-ons, then Restart Firefox.

Some added toolbar and anti-virus add-ons are known to cause Firefox issues. Disable All of them.

If the problem continues, disable some more (restarting FF). Continue until the problem is gone. After, you know what group is causing the issue. Re-enable the last group ONE AT A TIME (restarting FF) until the problem returns.

Once you think you found the problem, disable that and re-enable all the others, then restart again. Let us know who the suspect is, detective.

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FredMcD, after several minutes of detective work, I've managed to identify the suspect - it was the "Do It Automatically" extension. God knows how it got into my Firefox and silly me that didn't notice it in the Extensions this whole time.

Thanks for your great help, Fred!

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Glad to help. Safe Surfing.

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TornaD-oz said

it was the "Do It Automatically" extension. God knows how it got into my Firefox and silly me that didn't notice it in the Extensions this whole time.

You may have installed the extension sometime back. https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/do-this-automatically/

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If you didn't uninstall/remove the extension, but only disabled it then you can check the extensions.json file for its install date.