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Firefox crashes when file dialog box is displayed

  • 2 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 17 views
  • Last reply by kcprograms

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My install of firefox crashes whenever a file dialog box is displayed (e.g. when browsing to select a file to upload, or if downloading a file when the option to specify save location is enabled).

Firefox terminates and a a dialog is displayed asking if I would like to debug the application. about:crashes tells me that crash reports have been submitted.

I have tried various things as below, none of these work

  • Starting in safe mode
  • Uninstalling and re-installing
  • Running windows cleanup tools (e.g. SFC / scannow and DISM)

I've been surviving by avoiding dialog boxes wherever possible but it's pretty painful and I have to join the dark side (Chrome) if I ever want to upload anything.

Any help appreciated, many thanks for your time

Tony

My install of firefox crashes whenever a file dialog box is displayed (e.g. when browsing to select a file to upload, or if downloading a file when the option to specify save location is enabled). Firefox terminates and a a dialog is displayed asking if I would like to debug the application. about:crashes tells me that crash reports have been submitted. I have tried various things as below, none of these work * Starting in safe mode * Uninstalling and re-installing * Running windows cleanup tools (e.g. SFC / scannow and DISM) I've been surviving by avoiding dialog boxes wherever possible but it's pretty painful and I have to join the dark side (Chrome) if I ever want to upload anything. Any help appreciated, many thanks for your time Tony

All Replies (2)

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  • edit*

I meant to say about:crashes tells me that NO crash reports have been submitted.

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I believe I may know why this is happening to some users. I am not certain, but I believe it's not actually a Firefox issue, it's an issue with the Microsoft API for opening the file dialog interface. When you disable the Libraries and Favorites in Windows Explorer Notepad also crashes when opening the file dialog interface, but only when trying to save a new file.

The following 2 pages explain the nature of the changes I am talking about: https://www.askvg.com/how-to-remove-favorites-from-windows-7-explorers-navigation-pane/ https://www.askvg.com/how-to-remove-libraries-from-windows-7-explorers-navigation-pane/

While I believe this to be a Microsoft problem I am pretty sure a workaround could be worked into the Firefox code rather than requiring the user to find one.

EDIT: By the way, there is a workaround found in these forums which I can confirm does work by unchecking "Automatically expand to current folder" in the Windows Explorer options.

Modified by kcprograms