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do I need to remove the older version of firefox before installing a new version? If so, then how much do I remove, and how?

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  • Last reply by cor-el

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I have an older version of Firefox and adobe on a Sony VAIO. I keep getting pop-ups telling me to upgrade, and also frequent failures when I try to use the browser. I try to upgrade. I go thru the download step, then try the run step and get a message "not allowed". I have checked and I have admin privileges, and I've turned off the firewall security software thinking that it's blocking the install, but nothing works. Does anyone know if the older software is causing this and does it need to be removed before the latest version can go on. Also, if this problem is resolved am I going to have the same problem with Adobe?

I have an older version of Firefox and adobe on a Sony VAIO. I keep getting pop-ups telling me to upgrade, and also frequent failures when I try to use the browser. I try to upgrade. I go thru the download step, then try the run step and get a message "not allowed". I have checked and I have admin privileges, and I've turned off the firewall security software thinking that it's blocking the install, but nothing works. Does anyone know if the older software is causing this and does it need to be removed before the latest version can go on. Also, if this problem is resolved am I going to have the same problem with Adobe?

Chosen solution

What Firefox version is currently installed on the computer?

You can find the full version of the current current Firefox release (37.0.2) in all languages and all operating systems here:

If you have a very old Firefox version then you could consider to uninstall that version to clean up existing registry keys (especial the uninstall key).

Make sure NOT to remove "personal data" when you uninstall Firefox, because that will remove all profile folders and you lose personal data like bookmarks and passwords including data in profiles created by other Firefox versions.

Check the Firefox program folder and remove the Firefox program folder if there are still files left in it.

  • (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
  • (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

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 personal data are stored in the Firefox profile folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure NOT to remove personal data when you uninstall Firefox as that will remove all Firefox profile folders and you lose your personal data.


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The new version should replace the old version, so you shouldn't need to remove the old version first.

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Chosen Solution

What Firefox version is currently installed on the computer?

You can find the full version of the current current Firefox release (37.0.2) in all languages and all operating systems here:

If you have a very old Firefox version then you could consider to uninstall that version to clean up existing registry keys (especial the uninstall key).

Make sure NOT to remove "personal data" when you uninstall Firefox, because that will remove all profile folders and you lose personal data like bookmarks and passwords including data in profiles created by other Firefox versions.

Check the Firefox program folder and remove the Firefox program folder if there are still files left in it.

  • (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
  • (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

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 personal data are stored in the Firefox profile folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure NOT to remove personal data when you uninstall Firefox as that will remove all Firefox profile folders and you lose your personal data.