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I am running Firefox/7.0.1 and it wll not allow any newer updates since it thinks another version is running.

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I am running Windows 7 Professional, Firefox/7.0.1 and when the automatic update provision tries install the next update, it fails because Firefox thinks another version is running. This happens every time Firefox starts and when I try to update manually.

I am running Windows 7 Professional, Firefox/7.0.1 and when the automatic update provision tries install the next update, it fails because Firefox thinks another version is running. This happens every time Firefox starts and when I try to update manually.

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Once the Firefox install starts that is not part of Firefox and you must end Firefox before continuing with the install.

The only proper way to exit Firefox is to use Exit through the File menu, not the "X" in the upper right corner of last Firefox window. If you don't show menu then use Alt+F then X

If the install does not start then force Firefox to terminate.

Use the Windows Task Manger to remove all running firefox.exe in the "Processes" tab of the Windows Task Manager, then restart Firefox.

Windows 7 can get you to the Task Manager with a few less clicks with "Ctrl+Shift+Esc".


For other times:

Avoiding Problems with close/restart
Use to close and restart Firefox after enabling or disabling an extension, switching to a new theme, or modifying configuration files, then you don't have to worry about delay or have to look in the Task Manager to see if Firefox is closed yet.
  • "Restartless Restart" extension for Firefox 4.0+ only (15 KB download ) --
    uses keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+Alt+R" or a file menu option.
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If there are problems with updating then best is to download the full version and uninstall the currently installed version and delete the Firefox program folder to remove any leftover files.

Download a fresh Firefox copy and save the file to the desktop.

Uninstall your current Firefox version if possible.

  • Do NOT remove personal data when you uninstall the current version or you lose your bookmarks and other data in the profile folder.

Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.

  • It is important to delete the Firefox program folder to remove all the files and make sure that there are no problems with files that were leftover after uninstalling.

Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored elsewhere in the Firefox Profile Folder and won't be affected by a reinstall, but make sure that you do not select to remove personal data if you uninstall Firefox.


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If you do reinstall Firefox do not let the install start Firefox for you, because you are likely to create a new profile. Instead refuse that very last step of the install, and then start Firefox yourself in your normal manner so you will be using the same profile.

If you do forget and create a new profile your old profile is still around it just means a little more work to find your old profile and to use it instead.