Normally helper.exe works, even if the Control Panel is incorrect (the Control Panel is built from registry entries maintained by the Windows Installer).

What problems are you having with Firefox 37.0.1? We might be able to tell you if using a different version will help, or whether it's a settings issue that needs a different solution.

Hi jscher2000,

I am using version 37.0.1 on a Windows XP Pro platform with no problems but on my Windows 8.1 computer, it works much slower and does not resolved to selected url to the point that it just hangs for a while before what looks like a timing out of the initial request. Then there are times when is acts as if there is no internet connection. However, on my Windows XP Pro computer it is functioning just fine. On the Windows 8.1 computer, I did install a later version of Java, which is 8.40. Could this be contributing to the problem perhaps? But what is the strangest thing to me is why I can not see any evidence of version 37.0.1 being installed and only see Firefox versions 15.0 and 15.1, which goes back a ways. And these version will not uninstall within Windows uninstaller either as when I use it, there is no response just like attempting to run the helper.exe.

If Firefox never connects to sites on your Windows 8.1 system, could you check the ideas in these articles:

• Firefox can't load websites but other browsers can
• Fix problems connecting to websites after updating Firefox

Also, if you think Firefox or some of its program files might have been damaged during the update, you can re-do it as follows:

Clean Reinstall

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean. As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(1) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 37.0.1 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

(2) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(3) Rename the program folder

(64-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox

(32-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files\OldFirefox

(4) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Any improvement?

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

• \OldFirefox\Plugins
• \OldFirefox\browser\plugins

Just a note about the Java plugin: Firefox only uses the plugin on sites that require it, so that is not likely to be a major factor.

Here is an update: I ended up performing a Clean Reinstall as suggested but I installed version 36.0.4 instead of the 37.0.1. Now I am not experiencing any of the previous problems as noted. In addition, performing the clean reinstall removed older versions 15.0 and 15.0.1, which would not remove any other way even when using the helper.exe or Microsoft window's uninstaller.

Thank you for your information, time and assistance in solving this very annoying issue.