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I can only access firefox by running as administrator.

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  • Last reply by Javaman56

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Ever since upgrading to Windows 10 from 7, I have been unable to just run FF. If I try all I get is the error message "Firefox is already running but is not responding. The old Firefox process must be closed to open a new window. "

Instead, I must now right click and select run as administrator in order to open FF.

I have tried different fixes as suggested here https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1075120 and here https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-already-running-not-responding However the problem still persists.

Ever since upgrading to Windows 10 from 7, I have been unable to just run FF. If I try all I get is the error message "Firefox is already running but is not responding. The old Firefox process must be closed to open a new window. " Instead, I must now right click and select run as administrator in order to open FF. I have tried different fixes as suggested here https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1075120 and here https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-already-running-not-responding However the problem still persists.

Chosen solution

Hooray, fixed!!!! Finally able to find the profile in the 'appdata' and unchecked the 'readonly' box.

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Use one of these to close Firefox if you are currently doing that by clicking the close X on the Firefox title bar.

  • "3-bar" menu button > Exit (Power button)
  • Windows: File > Exit
  • Mac: Firefox > Quit Firefox
  • Linux: File > Quit

Make sure that you have read/write permissions for all the files in the profile folder.

Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problem.

See "Creating a profile":

If the new profile works then you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.

Modified by cor-el

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I keep trying to get this resolved but the problem continues.

I am running Windows 10 - I have uninstalled FF and re-installed - gone through the steps that cor-el suggested but have not found the 'profile folder' - I have even used MozBackup and attempted to restore the profile but to no avail.

I will continue to get this figured out, until then any more suggestions are welcomed.

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Chosen Solution

Hooray, fixed!!!! Finally able to find the profile in the 'appdata' and unchecked the 'readonly' box.