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Problem downloading update

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by mcr9681

mcr9681
mcr9681
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Sometimes when I start Firefox I get a message saying "An unidentified program wants access to your computer" the program being updater.exe then under details saying it's Mozilla Firefox, etc. then the options to allow or cancel. When I click allow a bar pops up saying Firefox is installing your updates and will start in just a moment. Then Firefox loads but another screen does too with the heading software update and underneath says "It is strongly recommended that you apply this update for Firefox as soon as possible." Then a highlighted phrase that says "view more information about this update." (which does absolutely nothing when you click on it) and then the option of next or cancel. Well ,the first time I hit next, and another screen saying "connecting to the update server" with a green bar scrolling across shows up and above that in bold Downloading Firefox. The problem is...it did that for a good half hour so finally I just X-ed it out. Is this normal? And is this most definitely a Firefox program update? And if yes to the previous two questions, how can I make it so that Firefox is an "identified publisher" by my User Account Control? Also, I took screen shots of all the messages and screens that I mentioned, but I do not see anywhere to attach here.

Sometimes when I start Firefox I get a message saying "An unidentified program wants access to your computer" the program being updater.exe then under details saying it's Mozilla Firefox, etc. then the options to allow or cancel. When I click allow a bar pops up saying Firefox is installing your updates and will start in just a moment. Then Firefox loads but another screen does too with the heading software update and underneath says "It is strongly recommended that you apply this update for Firefox as soon as possible." Then a highlighted phrase that says "view more information about this update." (which does absolutely nothing when you click on it) and then the option of next or cancel. Well ,the first time I hit next, and another screen saying "connecting to the update server" with a green bar scrolling across shows up and above that in bold Downloading Firefox. The problem is...it did that for a good half hour so finally I just X-ed it out. Is this normal? And is this most definitely a Firefox program update? And if yes to the previous two questions, how can I make it so that Firefox is an "identified publisher" by my User Account Control? Also, I took screen shots of all the messages and screens that I mentioned, but I do not see anywhere to attach here.

All Replies (2)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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If there are problems with updating like in this case then best is to download the full version and uninstall the currently installed version.

Download a fresh Firefox copy and save the file to the desktop.

  • Uninstall your current Firefox version.
  • Do not remove personal data when you uninstall the current version.

Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.

  • It is important to delete the Firefox program folder to remove all the files and make sure that there are no problems with files that were leftover after uninstalling.

Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored elsewhere in the Firefox Profile Folder and won't be affected by a reinstall, but make sure that you do not select to remove personal data if you uninstall Firefox.

mcr9681
mcr9681 Question owner
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Ya....I'm computer challenged...so to speak. So I wouldn't have the first clue how to do what you suggested (not to mention, no offense, that I didn't understand half of what you were talking about). The only reason I probably sounded like I did is because I was just relaying the screen messages. My biggest concern really is that this is an actual update and not some sort of virus/trojan/worm/malware, whatever. And also why Firefox was previously an identified publisher (I'm assuming since it never used to ask) and is now not. It used to just say Firefox IS installing an update on its own when I went to open the browser sometimes and then two tabs would pop up, my home tab and one saying 'Firefox update installed/newest version installed, etc. I'm trying to figure out what happened to change all that. But thank you though. If I am not able to find out however, I'll see about getting a friend to come over and re-install for me that knows what they're doing. :)