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How do I shutdown Firefox properly? Sometimes the process is still running and I could not restart unless the old process is terminated manually.

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  • Last reply by Helper7677

jefflam
jefflam
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I normally shutdown Firefox by clicking "x" on the top right hand corner of the screen. Sometimes it works but sometime it doesn't. Occasionally, I could not start Firefox and I noticed the firefox.exe process is still running. The only way I could restart Firefox is to terminate the process first. Is there a proper way to shutdown Firefox or some configuration settings which will ensure that Firefox will terminate properly?

I normally shutdown Firefox by clicking "x" on the top right hand corner of the screen. Sometimes it works but sometime it doesn't. Occasionally, I could not start Firefox and I noticed the firefox.exe process is still running. The only way I could restart Firefox is to terminate the process first. Is there a proper way to shutdown Firefox or some configuration settings which will ensure that Firefox will terminate properly?

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Helper7677
Helper7677
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Some say the "proper" way to do an "orderly" shutdown in any Windows application is File > Exit or Quit; others say the close button does the same thing. Anyone know definitively? In Firefox, using the Close (X) button will close only the current window if you have multiple windows open; using the File > Exit or Quit will close all open Firefox windows.

You may be experiencing a problem most often caused by an Extension or a Plugin referred to as "hang at exit".



Other issues that need your attention

The information submitted with your question indicates that you have out of date plugins with known security and stability issues that should be updated. To see the plugins submitted with your question, click "More system details..." to the right of your original question post. You can also see your plugins from the Firefox menu, Tools > Add-ons > Plugins.

  1. Check your plugin versions: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
    • Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions
  2. Update Adobe Reader (PDF plugin):
    • From within your existing Adobe Reader (if you have it already installed):
      • Open the Adobe Reader program from your Programs list
      • Click Help > Check for Updates
      • Follow the prompts for updating
      • If this method works for you, skip the "Download complete installer" section below and proceed to "After the installation" below
    • Download complete installer (if you do NOT have Adobe Reader installed):
      • Use the links below to avoid getting the troublesome "getplus" Adobe Download Manager and other "extras" you may not want
      • Use Firefox to download and SAVE the installer to your hard drive from the appropriate link below
      • Click "Save to File"; save to your Desktop (so you can find it)
      • After download completes, close Firefox
      • Click the installer you just downloaded and allow the install to continue
        • Note: Vista and Win7 users may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator"
      • Download link: ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/
        • Choose your OS
        • Choose the latest #.x version (example 9.x, for version 9)
        • Choose the highest number version listed
          • NOTE: 10.x is the new Adobe Reader X (Windows and Mac only as of this posting)
        • Choose your language
        • Download the file, SAVE it to your hard drive, when complete, close Firefox, click on the installer you just downloaded and let it install.
        • Windows: choose the .exe file; Mac: choose the .dmg file
    • Using either of the links below will force you to install the "getPlus" Adobe Download Manager. Also be sure to uncheck the McAfee Scanner if you do not want the link forcibly installed on your desktop
    • After the installation, start Firefox and check your version again.
  3. Update the Java plugin to the latest version.