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

firefox won't open, when trying to delete old profile get a message saying that a file is open but there isn't - where can I find this file?

  • 2 cavab
  • 1 has this problem
  • 7 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

I try to open firefox but nothing happens. I've followed the instructions about using profile manager but it won't open. Then I found info about using %appdata% and deleting firefox folder but it won't delete because I get a message saying that there is a file open that is using the firefox folder. But this is after a shutdown so how can a file be open. I get some info that says the file was created on 21/02/2015. How can I find this file - stop it - and get back to using firefox again?

I try to open firefox but nothing happens. I've followed the instructions about using profile manager but it won't open. Then I found info about using %appdata% and deleting firefox folder but it won't delete because I get a message saying that there is a file open that is using the firefox folder. But this is after a shutdown so how can a file be open. I get some info that says the file was created on 21/02/2015. How can I find this file - stop it - and get back to using firefox again?

All Replies (2)

more options
more options

Did you try to start Firefox in Safe Mode in case that would work?

  • Windows: hold down the Shift key while starting Firefox
  • Mac: hold down the Options key while starting Firefox

Boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support to see if that has effect in case security software is causing problems.