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How do I do a clean install of FF.

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  • Last reply by David241

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I think some adware is starting a flash application that I can't turn off.

I think some adware is starting a flash application that I can't turn off.

All Replies (2)

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Hello,

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.

Also, you should install an anti-malware application.

Please report back to see if this helped you!

Thank you.

Modified by JacobAreford

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If you have Windows 8 follow these steps.

1. First be sure you have another browser such as internet explorer to download your new Firefox.
2. From your start screen (the one showing all the apps) type in CONTROL PANEL.
3. Click on the control panel icon that appears in the top left area of your screen.
4. Click on uninstall a program (another screen appears and you usually have to click on uninstall a program again).
5. Use extra caution when uninstalling any program you DO NOT want to uninstall the wrong program - you must have administrator account to uninstall a program. The administrator account will stop you if you are not logged on as an administrator.
6. A list of all programs on your computer will appear on your screen.
7. Note the word organize at the top of the list, we will come back to this after the next step.
8. Scroll down the list til you see MOZILLA FIREFOX 22.0 and highlight it by putting your pointer on it and doing a single left click. (it turns dark blue)
9. Notice that the word uninstall appears next to the word organize. Click on this new uninstall. Your computer may ask if you are sure you want to uninstall this program. It should ask you if you want to save bookmarks and other info if you are going to reinstall.  If you have a bug do not save this info !
10. Press the windows key (bottom left of keyboard looks like 4 squares) to exit the control panel.
11. I like to do the next step from DESKTOP because if you open internet explorer from the start screen it is not easy to close it. If you open it from start screen there is no close button in top right of internet explorer.
 12. In the bottom left of desktop is the internet explorer icon, single click on it type in MOZILLA.ORG on the list click on home page of mozilla .org.
The first screen you see will offer a free download click on it.
13. Your computer should download, give it a minute to be sure the download finishes. Your computer should ask if you want to run or save the download. I prefer to save it so I can easily reinstall it in the future.
14. Close internet explorer. Next to the internet explorer icon at the bottom left of desktop is an icon that looks like a file - single click on this.
15. On the left side of FILE single click on downloads - You should see Firefox Setup Stub 22.0 - double click on it and follow instructions. The setup icon will stay in the downloads file (even if you uninstall firefox in the future) making reinstall easier.
A "clean install" simply refers to uninstalling a program before reinstalling it.
Firefox has some nice add-ons to block adware. From the firefox start screen click the add-ons icon. In the search box type in ad blocker then click the magnifing glass.

Modified by David241