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when attempting to replace my old firefox with 7.0.1 my computer says 'operation cannot be completed because the item firefow is in use'

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when attempting to replace my old firefox with 7.0.1 my computer says 'operation cannot be completed because the item firefox is in use'

when attempting to replace my old firefox with 7.0.1 my computer says 'operation cannot be completed because the item firefox is in use'

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You can do update through Help > About or Alt+H > About

For the error you are getting, see see item #38

Since you are reinstalling, a word of caution:

When reinstalling Firefox from a download, Firefox must be down once the installation starts. When the installation finishes, don't let the install start firefox for you. Instead end the install and start Firefox in your normal manner, thus preventing creating a new profile which does not have your bookmarks cookies, etc (though your old profile would still be around and would).

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If there are problems with updating or with the permissions then easiest is to download the full version and trash the currently installed version to do a clean install of the new version.

Download a new copy of the Firefox program and save the disk image (dmg) file to the desktop

  • Trash the current Firefox application to do a clean (re-)install
  • Install the new version that you have downloaded

Your profile data is stored elsewhere in the Firefox Profile Folder, so you won't lose your bookmarks and other personal data.