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When multiple users on the same Mac use Firefox, the error "You've launched an older version of Firefox" occurs when it upgrades

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I am running multiple user accounts on my Mac (macOS 10.14.6). Both users use Firefox Developer Edition (75.0b10).

When Firefox updates itself, it's breaking for whichever user is in the 'background' at the time. The 'foreground' user is prompted for their password to install [something something didn't take a note] Firefox Helper. Then when I flip to the 'background' user, they see the attached error.

This has happened twice now. Help!

I am running multiple user accounts on my Mac (macOS 10.14.6). Both users use Firefox Developer Edition (75.0b10). When Firefox updates itself, it's breaking for whichever user is in the 'background' at the time. The 'foreground' user is prompted for their password to install [something something didn't take a note] Firefox Helper. Then when I flip to the 'background' user, they see the attached error. This has happened twice now. Help!
Attached screenshots

Chosen solution

You can file a bug report here: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/

See Bugzilla etiquette before commenting in bug reports. https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/page.cgi?id=etiquette.html

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (7)

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A program can not be running to do an update.

If you can, do any updates when the browser is not in use.

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Well then shouldn't the browser know this – by looking at processes running on the machine – and tell me? "You have Firefox running in another user account. Close it before running this update."

It shouldn't just cause an error.

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Oh and the error shown is incorrect. I am not using an older version of Firefox. There's only one version on the machine, in /Applications.

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You are using a beta version of Firefox and it updates often. You might want to use the normal version that updates only now and then.

Download Firefox Full Version For All Languages And Systems http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/ https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/releasenotes/

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I've turned off auto-updating for now. I'll let Firefox tell me when an update is available and do it manually, ensuring that only one copy is launched.

I still consider this a bug which should be addressed.

 if (other.firefox.process.exists.on.this.machine) {
   don't update;
   warn user;
 } else {
   update;
 }

Modified by Johnny "Decimal" Noble

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Chosen Solution

You can file a bug report here: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/

See Bugzilla etiquette before commenting in bug reports. https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/page.cgi?id=etiquette.html

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Roger that, will do. Thanks.