Firefox: The program must close to allow a previous installation attempt to complete

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I was running Firefox under a limited user account, and got the "critical updates needed" icon, which I foolishly pressed. Then I find out it can't install unless I'm an admin, so I log back in as admin, finish the install, and it won't run. Instead Firefox will say "The program must close to allow a previous installation attempt to complete" and then shutdown.

Various combinations of uninstalling firefox, rebooting, cleaning firefox keys from the registry, rebooting, reinstalling firefox still result in the error message "The program must close to allow a previous installation to complete".

Answer:

Comments:

2006-08-01, 11:56:26

anonymous from Spain

THANKS TO GEEKADMIN FOR THIS : This error usually happens on interrupted upgrades or power offs, the resolution is very easy you had to go to the program files folder, and after the mozilla folder. And just delete the XPCLEANUP.DAT file. That´s it.. No more troubles, finito… And you can enjoy the best browser…

2006-12-02, 04:41:41

anonymous from Belgium

Thanx

2007-02-09, 18:46:01

anonymous from Switzerland

The solution for Vista can be found at kb.mozillazine.org. xpicleanup.dat is located in the “C:\Users\\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox” folder in Vista. Deleting it there seems to work.

2007-02-10, 16:21:36

freeCatalunya@gmail.com from Alicante in Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

I also have vista, and I tried both advice, and still can't run it... should I delete something from C:\Windows\AppPatch, I have nothing under c:\program_files\mozilla firefox or c:\users\myuser\appdata... thanks

2007-04-02, 09:59:56

anonymous from United States

deleting XPCLEANUP.DAT file worked for me, thanks!

2007-04-19, 17:49:16

anonymous from United States

worked like a charm!!!

2007-05-16, 07:43:00

anonymous

I have vista. When I try to delete the xpiclean.dat file it says I need to have permission to delete the file. But i am the adminstrator... heelp.

2007-05-24, 05:54:30

anonymous from Finland

thanks, worked for me too, delete: XPICLEANUP.DAT

2007-08-21, 10:11:28

anonymous from United States

If you can't delete the file in Vista you will need to end the xpiclean.dat process in the task mgr. This problem still happens with my machine every couple of weeks though.. Any long term solutions?

2007-10-31, 23:55:24

AlfaLymanBlob from Sweden

After many attempts I think I finaly worked it out. On vista first check if there are any xpcleanup process running, if so kill them all. Then Deleat that file in mozila folder (xpcleanup). Than right click on firefox icon and run as Admin, firefox will continue to update and work. If that didnt work uninstall and fresh install.

2008-06-13, 08:03:57

anonymous from Bahrain

thanks, worked for me too, delete: XPICLEANUP.DAT

2008-07-12, 04:37:16

Omar from Egypt

Thanks guys deleting the xpicleanup.dat file under the firefox folder worked for me, it's nice and easy solution Keywords:

2008-12-02, 19:21:39

anonymous from Peru

gracias funciono para mi tambien, borren: XPICLEANUP.DAT de la carpeta Moziila Firefox en Archivos de Programa y se soluciona el problema, yo tengo Windows XP con SP2 y me funciono de maravillas,

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