This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

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

I updated a program, now before Firefox opens the User account control comes up and asks: Do you want to allow the following program to make changes ...

  • 5 cavab
  • 2 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

Before Firefox opens the User account control comes up and asks: Do you want to allow the following program to make changes to this computer? Must hit yes for Firefox to open. This happens every time, it began after I updated the program in the popup which I know is safe. I am not running Firefox as Admin. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the program, no difference.

Before Firefox opens the User account control comes up and asks: Do you want to allow the following program to make changes to this computer? Must hit yes for Firefox to open. This happens every time, it began after I updated the program in the popup which I know is safe. I am not running Firefox as Admin. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the program, no difference.

All Replies (5)

more options

Hello Alloztome, also check to set the do not run Firefox as Administrator, in the firefox.exe program in Firefox program directory.

also, version 40.0.2 (the latest) is out, Update Firefox to the latest version

thank you

more options

Thanks for the suggestion- I do not run Firefox as admin. Firefox is supposed to update automatically but it doesn't seem to, last night I updated it manually, no difference.

more options

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

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

Also check the Properties of the firefox.exe program in the Firefox program folder.

more options

I do not now nor have I ever run Firefox as Admin, everything is deselected in Properties/Compatibility. The problem began after I installed updates for CCleaner. I have since uninstalled and reinstalled the program. I am going to uninstall it completely to see what happens.

more options

There still seems to be a program that is running as administrator because otherwise windows wouldn't show the UAC dialog, so proceed with caution.

Make sure to delete the current Firefox program folder before trying to reinstall Firefox.

You may also want to uninstall and reinstall the background maintenance service.


You can check in "Windows Control Panel > Programs" for recently installed programs. I don't know if you can check for recent updates.

  • Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Uninstall or change a program
  • Click the Installed column to sort by this heading