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How to update Firefox on Mac when it's resetting to an older version every now and then

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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Every now and then my Firefox 57 on Mac resets itself to Firefox 51. He does this seemingly at random pace. Firefox resets after a restart (of the pc or firefox) or even during the time I'm using him. I can identify when he wants to reset because I cannot open new tabs if he decided, that he wants to be version 51. The new tab says "This tab has crashed" and I cannot fix it until I close my Firefox 57 completely. After closing and starting him again Firefox 51 appears and not 57.

Now, when I'm closing Firefox 51 and start him again, Firefox 57 appears automatically.

I tried to uninstall Firefox completely (not just from the programs but I deleted even the folders that Firefox creates). I cleaned Firefox with his own function. ... Nothing seems to help.

The funny thing is, when I'm uninstalling Firefox 57, the 51st version appears all of a sudden in my programs folder. When I'm uninstalling this Firefox 51, after some time or a restart he appears again.

Every now and then my Firefox 57 on Mac resets itself to Firefox 51. He does this seemingly at random pace. Firefox resets after a restart (of the pc or firefox) or even during the time I'm using him. I can identify when he wants to reset because I cannot open new tabs if he decided, that he wants to be version 51. The new tab says "This tab has crashed" and I cannot fix it until I close my Firefox 57 completely. After closing and starting him again Firefox 51 appears and not 57. Now, when I'm closing Firefox 51 and start him again, Firefox 57 appears automatically. I tried to uninstall Firefox completely (not just from the programs but I deleted even the folders that Firefox creates). I cleaned Firefox with his own function. ... Nothing seems to help. The funny thing is, when I'm uninstalling Firefox 57, the 51st version appears all of a sudden in my programs folder. When I'm uninstalling this Firefox 51, after some time or a restart he appears again.

All Replies (5)

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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. If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it. See Install Firefox on Linux; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux

If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder Firefox in your home directory. http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 if there is one.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner if you have one. 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.

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Linux+Safe+Mode This shows how to Start all Computers in Safe Mode; Free Online Encyclopedia

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FredMcD said

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. If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it. See Install Firefox on Linux; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder Firefox in your home directory. http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 if there is one. After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner if you have one. 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. http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Linux+Safe+Mode This shows how to Start all Computers in Safe Mode; Free Online Encyclopedia

Hi FredMcD,

I tried removing firefox and renaming all folders (were none), but the old Firefox appears after every restart. I can't remove it. Even when I'm deleting all the cache.

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The program may have been placed elsewhere on your system. If the program is running, it has to be there somewhere.

Use the computers file browser and search for Firefox anything.

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FredMcD said

The program may have been placed elsewhere on your system. If the program is running, it has to be there somewhere. Use the computers file browser and search for Firefox anything.

Sorry for the long silence. I made a discovery that changes the whole setting of the problem. I got a FileWave-client on my computer. I think this program always tries to install the old firefox at circa 14.30. I couldn't disable the program, yet. I'll keep you updated.

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https://www.bing.com/search?q=FileWave-client&pc=MOZI&form=MOZSBR

FileWave Client is a software program developed by FileWave. The most common release is 8.1.0, with over 98% of all installations currently using this version. During setup, the program creates a startup registration point in Windows in order to automatically start when any user boots the PC.