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Firefox "verify changes to hard-drive" message opens every single time I open a new window, despite there being no updating. How can I get it to stop?

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I run Windows 7 and use Firefox. Sometimes when I open Firefox, it will freeze or slip into the "not responding" mode and I will have to shut down my laptop and reboot. And other times I can't open the browser at all. Not from the shortcut or through the Start menu. And when it does load the "verify changes to hard-drive" prompt always pops up no matter how many times I click to verify. Open a new window, I have to re-verify every time. Is there any way to stop that prompt from showing up when it's not needed? I already tried the change settings feature...no change.

Please help.

I run Windows 7 and use Firefox. Sometimes when I open Firefox, it will freeze or slip into the "not responding" mode and I will have to shut down my laptop and reboot. And other times I can't open the browser at all. Not from the shortcut or through the Start menu. And when it does load the "verify changes to hard-drive" prompt always pops up no matter how many times I click to verify. Open a new window, I have to re-verify every time. Is there any way to stop that prompt from showing up when it's not needed? I already tried the change settings feature...no change. Please help.

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Check that Firefox isn't set to run as Administrator.

Right-click the Firefox desktop shortcut and choose "Properties".

Make sure that all items are deselected in the "Compatibility" tab of the Properties window.

  • Privilege Level: "Run this program as Administrator" should not be selected
  • "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" should not be selected
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I did as suggested and after I deselected everything, absolutely nothing would open. It seems that in order for Firefox to work at all compatibility for Windows XP Service Pack 2 has to be selected. Which just makes no sense to me since I run Windows 7...not XP. And yes, that prompt is still driving me insane.

Anyways, thank you for trying. I appreciate your effort.

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Try a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder and desktop shortcut before (re)installing a fresh copy of the current Firefox release.

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 lose 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.

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

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 that "remove personal data" is NOT selected when you uninstall Firefox.