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Windows 10 claimed that the recent update attempted to edit settings for my 'default browser' then promptly deleted firefox. "AppData" restored after reinstall.

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  • Last reply by cor-el

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Upon starting the machine earlier today (9/13/2017) there was an update available at the launch of Firefox. Accepting this update was quickly followed by Windows 10 reporting that the update attempted to alter settings for my 'default browser.' Firefox was then immediately and automatically uninstalled and the shortcut on the desktop became a blank page icon linking to the previous installation path...

The AppData folder was not effected and, after downloading Firefox / reinstalling, the browser has completely restored to functionality. But a bit weird...

Upon starting the machine earlier today (9/13/2017) there was an update available at the launch of Firefox. Accepting this update was quickly followed by Windows 10 reporting that the update attempted to alter settings for my 'default browser.' Firefox was then immediately and automatically uninstalled and the shortcut on the desktop became a blank page icon linking to the previous installation path... The AppData folder was not effected and, after downloading Firefox / reinstalling, the browser has completely restored to functionality. But a bit weird...

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Is it possible that you responded to a fake update notice?

For almost a year, an epidemic of Fake Update Notices have been popping up all over the place.

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I do not know.

It was not from another browser or with the browser already open. I was merely prompted about an update from Mozilla after double clicking on the .exe on the desktop, which, like all previous Firefox updates, alleged to originate from Mozilla.

Unfortunately I did not take a screenshot given how common the occurrence was. But if it happens again I will do so.

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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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You may have been switched from a 32-bit Firefox version to a 64-bit Firefox version. In that case the 32-bit version is automatically uninstalled and the 64-bit version will then be used as the default browser in case Firefox previously was your default browser.