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Mac version of Firefox has been deleted and updated to latest version but the Software Update window keeps popping up.

  • 13 replies
  • 6 have this problem
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  • Last reply by mouse_8b

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I've updated several times using the automatic update system, but the "update ready to install" window kept appearing. I've even deleted the firefox.app file, then manually downloaded the latest version and installed it. Still, the Software Update window pops up every time I start Firefox. Anyone know how to stop this behavior?

I've updated several times using the automatic update system, but the "update ready to install" window kept appearing. I've even deleted the firefox.app file, then manually downloaded the latest version and installed it. Still, the Software Update window pops up every time I start Firefox. Anyone know how to stop this behavior?

Chosen solution

I followed those directions, but my user agent settings were at their defaults.

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Security Issue: Update your Flash Player Note: Windows users should download the active_x for Internet Explorer. and the plugin for Plugin-based browsers (like Firefox).

Note: Windows 8 and Windows 10 have built-in flash players and Adobe will cause a conflict. Install the plugin only. Not the active_x.

Flash Player Version: 23.0.0.162 Flash Player (Linux) Version 11.2.202.635

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ Direct link scans current system and browser Note: Other software is offered in the download.

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/ Step 1: Select Operating System Step 2: Select A Version (Firefox, Win IE . . . .) Note: Other software is offered in the download.


See if there are updates for your graphics drivers https://support.mozilla.org/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

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Let’s do a full clean re-install; Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link} Save the file. Then Close Firefox.

Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86) Mac: Open the "Applications" folder.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac Linux: Check your user manual. 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.

Do Not remove the profiles folder.

Look for, and rename any Mozilla or Firefox program folders by adding .old to them. Do not rename the Mozilla Thunderbird folder.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner. Then run the installer. If all goes well, remove the OLD folders when you are done.


If there is a problem, start your Computer in safe mode and try again.

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia

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Fred, thank you for your suggestions. Since I'm using OSX, the file structure is a little different, so I don't believe the instructions fully apply. But following them as closely as I could did not stop the window from popping up.

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Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. Remove any Firefox or Mozilla folders there.

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Fred, no folders of either in Applications, only the firefox.app. which I've deleted several times then reinstalled the application from a fresh download.

Other locations I've found Mozilla and/or Firefox folders: (user name)/Library/Mozilla/Extensions/{xxxxx}/no files Library/Mozilla/Global.regs Library/Application Support/Mozilla/Extensions/ (two folders, both empty) Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles, Crash Reports, profiles.ini

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I've called for more help.

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Anyone else have this problem? Or a solution? It doesn't affect performance, I just have to close the window every time I open Firefox.

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I am experiencing this issue as well. The About Firefox dialog reports that I am running 49.0.2, but it still asks to install the update every time I start up. If I agree to install the update, it restarts Firefox and asks again. If I choose to upgrade later, it behaves normally for the rest of the browser session and asks to install the update when Firefox starts again.

I have two user profiles in OSX, but Firefox only shows this behavior under one of the user profiles. I deleted Firefox.app from Applications and re-installed. I also deleted everything in '/Users/problemUser/Library/Application Support/Firefox' for the user profile experiencing the issue. Neither of these actions solved the problem.

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One profile but not the other?

Did you post this with the 'sick' profile? User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10.11; rv:49.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/49.0

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-reset-default-user-agent-firefox http://www.howtogeek.com/113439/how-to-change-your-browsers-user-agent-without-installing-any-extensions/

Note: Firefox is now at ver 49.0.2 Please do not update until the issue is solved.

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Chosen Solution

I followed those directions, but my user agent settings were at their defaults.

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I've called for more help.

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I have the same problem. I have a Mac 10.11.6.

I get the software update notification "A security update for Firfox has bn dowloaded and is ready to be installed. Update: Firefox 49.0.2" . In fact I am now at version 50.1.0

I only get ihe notification when logged in as a User without admin rights - the one I always use for everything except Software updates. It happens every time start Firefox.

Any more progress with this problem?

Thanks! I also have all the useragent options in config set at default.

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My problem was fixed after the next version of Firefox came out and there was actually an update available. It seems some part of the installation was told there was an update available, and would not be satisfied until given an update. Other steps I took, that may or may not have helped, are here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1146676.