This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Everytime I launch Firefox I get an pop up "This file may harm your computer" - Downloads error

  • 6 majibu
  • 2 wana tatizo hili
  • 12 views
  • Last reply by chbokor

more options

Hi,

I am on a Mac Pro running High Sierra. Everytime I launch Firefox I get a error message that "this file may harm your computer" which is a .dmg in my downloads toolbar. I think I clicked on a bad link. I have cleared my cache and history and it still always pops up. I do not want this file nor do I want it to give me this warning everytime I launch Firefox.

Any advice is helpful.

Thanks

Hi, I am on a Mac Pro running High Sierra. Everytime I launch Firefox I get a error message that "this file may harm your computer" which is a .dmg in my downloads toolbar. I think I clicked on a bad link. I have cleared my cache and history and it still always pops up. I do not want this file nor do I want it to give me this warning everytime I launch Firefox. Any advice is helpful. Thanks

All Replies (6)

more options

Let’s do a full clean re-install;

Note: Firefox comes in three or more folders on all computers. They are;

Maintenance: (Programs Folder) <Windows Only> Firefox itself: (Programs Folder) And two folders in the profile of each user on the computer for each Firefox profile for that user.

If you remove the Firefox folder, the user profiles would not be affected.


Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link}

Firefox ESR; Extended Support Release {web link}

Beta, Developer, Nightly versions https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/channel/desktop/

Install Older Version Of Firefox {web link} Be sure to read everything here.


Save the file. Then Close Firefox.

Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86) Note: Check Both Folders

Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac

Linux: Check your user manual. If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it. See Install Firefox on Linux; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux

If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder Firefox in your home directory. http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Look for, and remove any Mozilla or Firefox program folders. Do not remove the Mozilla Thunderbird folder if there is one.

Do Not remove any profile folders.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner if you have one. Then run the installer. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If there is a problem, start your Computer in safe mode and try again.

How to Start all Computers in Safe Mode; {web link} Free Online Encyclopedia

more options

Taffypro said

I am on a Mac Pro running High Sierra. Everytime I launch Firefox I get a error message that "this file may harm your computer" which is a .dmg in my downloads toolbar.

Perhaps you did not install Firefox correctly. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac

more options

Try uninstalling and reinstalling mozilla firefox.

more options

I have same problem. Any advice/suggestions for a fix? Really do NOT wish to do a reinstall (not very tech savvy). ANY help will be MUCH appreciated. Thanks in advance.

more options

Maybe check this in Gatekeeper.

Safely open apps on your Mac (Gatekeeper)

more options

Thanks for your reply cor-el.