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I can't get rid of the 'old Firefox data' folder on my desktop despite uninstalling the browser

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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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I am using an Asus laptop running Windows 8. Recently I developed a problem with the Firefox browser. Every time I opened it, instead of opening the Home Page, it redirected to a junk website. Sometimes it would cycle through a number of junk websites before deciding on one to open. I didn't have problems with redirects once I started using the browser - just on opening it.

I assumed there was something nasty on my machine, so ran various scans including Avast, TDSSKiller and Malwarebytes. Only Malwarebytes found anything - which I obviously purged from the machine. I also disabled all the extensions and plug-ins in the browser. And uninstalled (using IObit) any programs I wasn't sure about or thought I no longer needed. I made sure to shred any leftover files it found.

None of this solved the problem.

On my desktop is a folder called 'Old Firefox Data'. I tried to delete and shred this folder, but although IObit told me the files had been shredded, it remained on my desktop.

And the problem continued.

I therefore decided the only option left was to completely uninstall Firefox. I did this, again using IObit to check it had all gone. However, the 'Old Firefox Data' folder remains on my desktop. I tried again to shred it, but it's still there.

I can obviously just hit delete, but I want to make sure it is gone for good. Any suggestions on how I can resolve this please?

Thanks.

I am using an Asus laptop running Windows 8. Recently I developed a problem with the Firefox browser. Every time I opened it, instead of opening the Home Page, it redirected to a junk website. Sometimes it would cycle through a number of junk websites before deciding on one to open. I didn't have problems with redirects once I started using the browser - just on opening it. I assumed there was something nasty on my machine, so ran various scans including Avast, TDSSKiller and Malwarebytes. Only Malwarebytes found anything - which I obviously purged from the machine. I also disabled all the extensions and plug-ins in the browser. And uninstalled (using IObit) any programs I wasn't sure about or thought I no longer needed. I made sure to shred any leftover files it found. None of this solved the problem. On my desktop is a folder called 'Old Firefox Data'. I tried to delete and shred this folder, but although IObit told me the files had been shredded, it remained on my desktop. And the problem continued. I therefore decided the only option left was to completely uninstall Firefox. I did this, again using IObit to check it had all gone. However, the 'Old Firefox Data' folder remains on my desktop. I tried again to shred it, but it's still there. I can obviously just hit delete, but I want to make sure it is gone for good. Any suggestions on how I can resolve this please? Thanks.

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First, you may still 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.


The Old Firefox folder contains user profiles from when you refreshed Firefox. There should not be a problem deleting the folder unless another program is accessing it.

Start your Computer in safe mode. Then delete the folder.

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
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