There are 2 versions of Adobe Flash; an '''ActiveX version''' for IE only and a '''Plugin version''' for most other browsers including Firefox. On a Windows system, you should always update both individually. #'''Using Firefox''', go to the following direct download link and SAVE the download to your desktop so you can find it later: http://fpdownload.adobe.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player.exe #When the download is finished, close Firefox (File > Exit '''''OR''''' Firefox button > Exit) #Click or double-click on the file you just saved to your desktop #*In the installation window that appears, click the box to the left of "I have read and...." to place a check mark in the box #*The "Install" button in the lower right corner will now be highlighted, click it. #*The installation is quick. #Start Firefox and test your installation here: https://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/ #Direct link ActiveX version for IE '''''only''''': http://fpdownload.adobe.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_ax.exe '''If this reply solves your problem, please click "Solved It" next to this reply when <u>signed-in</u> to the forum.''' ------------------------- Sounds like Firefox is "hanging at exit". That problem is frequently caused by an Extension or a Plugin. Read all of the following articles.<br /><br /> #Stop the Firefox process: #*[http://kb.mozillazine.org/Kill_application Mozillazine - Kill application] #*Windows 7 users click [http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/reap-the-benefits-of-windows-7s-task-manager/2576 here] #*Mac users: http://techheavy.com/2011/02/the-mac-task-manager/ #Why Firefox may hang: #*[http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+hangs Firefox hangs] (see Hang at exit) #*[http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs Firefox hangs (Mozillazine)] (see Hang at exit and Closing Firefox properly) #*[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding Firefox is already running but is not responding] #Use Firefox Safe Mode to find a problem with an Extension or Plugin: #*Don't check anything when entering Safe Mode, just continue #*If the problem does not occur in Safe Mode it is probably and Extension or Plugin causing the problem #*See: #**[[Safe Mode]] and [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Safe_Mode Safe Mode (Mozillazine)] #**[http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes Troubleshooting extensions and themes] #**[http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting+plugins Troubleshooting plugins] #**[http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Basic+Troubleshooting Basic Troubleshooting] '''If this reply solves your problem, please click "Solved It" next to this reply when <u>signed-in</u> to the forum.''' ----------------------- Not related to your question, but... You may need to update some plug-ins. Check your plug-ins and update as necessary: *Plug-in check: https://www-trunk.stage.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/ *Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in: [https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using%20the%20Shockwave%20plugin%20with%20Firefox#w_installing-shockwave Installing ('''''or Updating''''') the Shockwave plugin with Firefox] *Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape: [https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using%20the%20Adobe%20Reader%20plugin%20with%20Firefox#w_installing-and-updating-adobe-reader Installing/Updating Adobe Reader in Firefox] *Shockwave Flash (Adobe Flash or Flash): [https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Managing%20the%20Flash%20plugin#w_updating-flash Updating Flash in Firefox] *Next Generation Java Plug-in for Mozilla browsers: [https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using%20the%20Java%20plugin%20with%20Firefox#w_installing-or-updating-java Installing or Updating Java in Firefox]

The strangest thing happened -- today (one day after I was having all the problems with Adobe Flash update not allowing me to proceed until I closed Mozilla Firefox, which I thought I had) -- I decided to try one more time -- did not do anything different, but this time it worked!! Thanks for everyone's help --- however, I did not even have to do any of the things suggested, but should this happen again at least I will know what to do.