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On a clean Firefox download I consistantly can't open Firefox because "Windows can't find Firefox.exe" - doesn't look like it's being downloaded.

  • 2 replies
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  • Last reply by paguyinhbg

paguyinhbg
paguyinhbg
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I have used several download sites including Mozilla's to try and download Firefox. In every case, when the download is "complete", the Firefox icon appears in the taskbar. When I click on it to open Firefox I get this message "Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly and then try again." I've searched my computer and FIrefox.exe is not there. When I looked at the files that were downloaded in C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox there are quite a number of files including one with the Firefox icon and the name "Firefox". Clicking it once again brings up that can't find Firefox.exe dialog box. I'm on an Acer Aspire with Win 7 32 bit. I did have Firefox on the laptop but a virus forced me to restore the laptop to its original configuration. I've reloaded my programs with the exception of Firefox.

I have used several download sites including Mozilla's to try and download Firefox. In every case, when the download is "complete", the Firefox icon appears in the taskbar. When I click on it to open Firefox I get this message "Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly and then try again." I've searched my computer and FIrefox.exe is not there. When I looked at the files that were downloaded in C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox there are quite a number of files including one with the Firefox icon and the name "Firefox". Clicking it once again brings up that can't find Firefox.exe dialog box. I'm on an Acer Aspire with Win 7 32 bit. I did have Firefox on the laptop but a virus forced me to restore the laptop to its original configuration. I've reloaded my programs with the exception of Firefox.

Chosen solution

Hello, try these free programs to scan for existing malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:

Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.

then, if your laptop in clean try a clean re-install :

Note: You might want to print these steps or view them in another browser.

  1. Download the latest Desktop version of Firefox from https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/ 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, if exist, which is located in one of these locations, by default:
    • Windows:
      • C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

Now, go ahead and reinstall Firefox: Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard. Once the wizard is finished, choose to directly open Firefox after clicking the Finish button.

Thank you.

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All Replies (2)

ideato
ideato
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Chosen Solution

Hello, try these free programs to scan for existing malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:

Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.

then, if your laptop in clean try a clean re-install :

Note: You might want to print these steps or view them in another browser.

  1. Download the latest Desktop version of Firefox from https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/ 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, if exist, which is located in one of these locations, by default:
    • Windows:
      • C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

Now, go ahead and reinstall Firefox: Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard. Once the wizard is finished, choose to directly open Firefox after clicking the Finish button.

Thank you.

paguyinhbg
paguyinhbg Question owner
more options

Thanks very much ideato ! You may find this interesting - when I followed your suggestions using IE I ended up with my original problem - Windows can't find Firefox.exe. I cleared everything dealing with Mozeilla and Firefox off the laptop. Then tried it with Chrome and it worked. Go figure.