Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

In updating FF, message says to restart to complete previous upgrade. I reboot, with same message. Attempted to uninstall. Same message, even in Safe Mode.

  • 7 replies
  • 7 have this problem
  • 155 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

I tried to update Firefox and repeatedly get this message: "Your computer must be restarted to complete a previous upgrade of Firefox. Do you want to reboot now? " If I click no, nothing happens. If I click yes, it reboots, and I get the same message all over again. I have tried to uninstall the program and get the same message, even in Safe Mode. I tried to start with a previous system configuration, but the computer would not give me any previous configuration dates. I am using XP, and I deleted Internet Explorer, so I cannot access the Internet on that computer. I have tried to install the update by downloading the upgrade on a different computer and transfer it on a flash drive, but I got the same results. If I go to Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs, it says I have Firefox Version 13.0.1. For approximately 6 months previous to this incident, I have been getting a message when I load Firefox, that says that it could not install an attempted update. If I clicked okay, at least it would still run the old version. Now it won't even do that.

I tried to update Firefox and repeatedly get this message: "Your computer must be restarted to complete a previous upgrade of Firefox. Do you want to reboot now? " If I click no, nothing happens. If I click yes, it reboots, and I get the same message all over again. I have tried to uninstall the program and get the same message, even in Safe Mode. I tried to start with a previous system configuration, but the computer would not give me any previous configuration dates. I am using XP, and I deleted Internet Explorer, so I cannot access the Internet on that computer. I have tried to install the update by downloading the upgrade on a different computer and transfer it on a flash drive, but I got the same results. If I go to Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs, it says I have Firefox Version 13.0.1. For approximately 6 months previous to this incident, I have been getting a message when I load Firefox, that says that it could not install an attempted update. If I clicked okay, at least it would still run the old version. Now it won't even do that.

Chosen solution

hello, the installation folder from #3 in the original reply is referring to the whole "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox" directory, not any subfolder or file in particular. if the directory is still present after uninstalling firefox through the windows control panel, then please remove the whole "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox" folder & try reinstalling firefox afterwards.

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (7)

more options

Hello, certain Firefox problems can be solved by performing a Clean reinstall. This means you remove Firefox program files and then reinstall Firefox. Please follow these steps:

Note: You might want to print these steps or view them in another browser.

  1. Download the latest Desktop version of Firefox from http://www.mozilla.org and save the setup file to your computer.
  2. After the download finishes, close all Firefox windows (click Exit from the Firefox or File menu).
  3. Delete the Firefox installation folder, which is located in one of these locations, by default:
    • Windows:
      • C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
    • Mac: Delete Firefox from the Applications folder.
    • Linux: If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it - see Install Firefox on Linux. If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder firefox in your home directory.
  4. Now, go ahead and reinstall Firefox:
    1. Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard.
    2. Once the wizard is finished, choose to directly open Firefox after clicking the Finish button.

Please report back to see if this helped you!

more options

In #3 of your instructions you say: "Delete the Firefox installation folder, which is located in one of these locations, by default:

   Windows:
       C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox"
      

In Windows Explorer, I went to C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox. There is no installation folder. There is only one file (a text document) that says "install." I tried deleting that and followed the rest of your instructions and ended up with the same results as before. There is a file under Mozilla Firefox that is called "uninstall." If I click on "helper," I get the same message: "Your computer must be restarted to complete a previous upgrade of Firefox. Do you want to reboot now?"

more options

Try to run the Firefox program once as Administrator (right-click: Run as Administrator).

You may have security software that is interfering with the installation if a reboot is required.

more options

I have tried all of the above as Administrator. I tried disabling my antivirus program and the firewall but neither one of these tries helped

more options

Chosen Solution

hello, the installation folder from #3 in the original reply is referring to the whole "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox" directory, not any subfolder or file in particular. if the directory is still present after uninstalling firefox through the windows control panel, then please remove the whole "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox" folder & try reinstalling firefox afterwards.

more options

I deleted the folder using Windows Explorer and installed the new version. It worked perfectly. I was hesitant to delete the folder without officially uninstalling the program, thinking it would affect other programs that might have common files being used. All other programs seem to work fine. Thanks SOOO much for your help!

more options

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

Uninstall your current Firefox version, if possible, to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

  • Do NOT remove personal data when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because all profile folders will be removed and you will also lose your personal data like bookmarks and passwords from profiles of other Firefox versions.

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

Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored in the Firefox Profile Folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure that "remove personal data" is NOT selected when you uninstall Firefox.

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder