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When trying to reset or uninstall I get a message saying I must reboot to complete installation of a previous version. Any suggestions?

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  • Last reply by zeuster

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After downloading v25.0.1, FF was slow. I have tried the reset, but it would give me the message that I must reboot to complete installation of a previous version. I tried to uninstall, but the version on the list was v 21. I received the same message when trying to uninstall it. I would like to update to v 25.0.1, but something is preventing the process.

After downloading v25.0.1, FF was slow. I have tried the reset, but it would give me the message that I must reboot to complete installation of a previous version. I tried to uninstall, but the version on the list was v 21. I received the same message when trying to uninstall it. I would like to update to v 25.0.1, but something is preventing the process.

Chosen solution

Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder before (re)installing a fresh copy of the current Firefox release.

Make sure that your security software (anti-virus) isn't blocking files and thus prevents Firefox from updating all files in the Firefox program folder.

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

Uninstall your current Firefox version, if possible, to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

  • Do NOT remove personal data when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because all profile folders will be removed and you lose personal data like bookmarks and passwords from profiles of other Firefox versions.

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

  • (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
  • (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

Your bookmarks and other personal data are stored in the Firefox profile folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure that "remove personal data" is NOT selected when you uninstall Firefox.

If you keep having problems then also create a new profile.


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Chosen Solution

Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder before (re)installing a fresh copy of the current Firefox release.

Make sure that your security software (anti-virus) isn't blocking files and thus prevents Firefox from updating all files in the Firefox program folder.

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

Uninstall your current Firefox version, if possible, to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

  • Do NOT remove personal data when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because all profile folders will be removed and you lose personal data like bookmarks and passwords from profiles of other Firefox versions.

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

  • (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
  • (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

Your bookmarks and other personal data are stored in the Firefox profile folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure that "remove personal data" is NOT selected when you uninstall Firefox.

If you keep having problems then also create a new profile.


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Thanks cor-el. It took the last site (http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Clean_reinstall) to get the job done.