Hi Beth, let me address those separately.

Automatic Updates Fail

By any chance, do you have the NordVPN software installed? There is a problem currently with one of its features blocking Firefox from updating normally in the background. This thread has more information on the workaround and status updates from Nord:

https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1445093

Two Firefox Shortcuts

Could you check the Properties tab for each shortcut to see where they load Firefox from. Here's how.

Right-click the shortcut, click Properties, then if Windows didn't show the Shortcut tab immediately, switch to that tab.

The "Target" field shows where that shortcut launches Firefox from. A typical path would be

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

What Target paths are listed on your "good" and "bad" shortcuts?

Hi. Thank you for taking a look at this with me!

I have not yet checked into the reference you gave me at Nord. I will, but already I feel better knowing it is a issue Nord is aware of. Meanwhile Firefox is operating, just not updating at the moment. I could turn off Nord temporarily and update Firefox while Nord is paused. That should work.

You ask about my "bad' and "good" shortcuts to Firefox. I have an old and a new Firefox shortcut. THe old one leads me to files dated 1/4/23. The new one leads me to files dated 4/16/24.

I was concerned maybe I should clear out the old Firefox files. I assume the old is inactive or historical, because it does not update. It shows few, very old, icons/shortcuts to sites I used to use. I was thinking to remove it to reduce clutter and confusion. The new Firefox shortcut is up to date in terms of my typical websites shown in icons, etc.

There are two ways that the shortcuts could yield different settings:

(1) Different program folders

(2) Same program folders, but a -P parameter in the target for one of the shortcuts instructing Firefox to use a specific profile folder

Can you tell which scenario is occurring?

See also this KB article.

Troubleshoot Firefox auto-update issues caused by NordVPN's Web Protection https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-auto-update-issues

I examined closely both Firefox shortcuts. The 'old'/'bad' one has files all dated 1/4/23. The 'new'/'good' one has files all dated 4/6/24. I did not see any signs of a -P parameter instructing Firefox to use a specific profile folder.

I paused NORD VPN and then made the update to Firefox two days ago.  I saw the change in the files' saved date only on the 'new'/'good' shortcut's files, and nothing changed in the 'old'/'bad' shortcut's file. The computer has been performing well, no hiccups. I have not yet seen another Firefox prompt to do a backup.

I feel confident the information you shared and your advice were pertinent and helpful, allowing me to resolve the annoying hiccup with updates to Firefox in the "land of Nord VPN". Thank you most sincerely. Your assistance was timely, precise, clear and effective. Just what I needed. Thank you!