After A Firefox update, Firefox willl only open in Windows Safe Mode

Windows version 1909, build 18363.720

Since upgrading from W7 to W10 in January 2020, every time FF has an upgrade it refuses to open in Windows normal mode. The first attempt I believe was FF72 to FF73, then to 74, and now 74.01. Clicking on the FF icon causes the activity circle to spin for a fraction of a second and then nothing happens. Nothing in Task Manager. Can't open the profile manager, or FF safe mode.

I ended at least one time just uninstalling and reinstalling FF. That is a pain to deal with, creating a new profile and all that goes with it.

This time, just for the heck of it, I put Windows in Safe Mode, and FF opens just fine. It's got the right profile, everything works. All I did was a simple upgrade from 74 to 74.01. This was the first time I thought to try Windows safe mode.

I have Malwarebytes 4.1, SuperAntiSpyware (realtime protection turned off), Acronis 2020 (ransomware protection turned off). And of course Windows Bitdefender and firewall. I have added exclusions to MWB and the firewall, at least I hope I did it the right way.

I have no other ideas on what could be blocking FF.

Any out of the box ideas are welcome at this point.

Joe

I checked the reliability function. There were 2 entries for FF, both dated this morning at the same time. Also, at the same time as these FF entries there was an entry for a MS Security Intelligence Update , KB2267602. Probably a coincidence but thought I should note it.

FIRST ENTRY:
Source
Firefox

Summary
Stopped working

Date
‎4/‎8/‎2020 7:31 AM

Status
Report sent

Description
Faulting Application Path: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe

Problem signature
Problem Event Name: BEX64
Application Name: firefox.exe
Application Version: 74.0.1.7398
Application Timestamp: 5e8706eb
Fault Module Name: StackHash_0000
Fault Module Version: 0.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 00000000
Exception Offset: PCH_84
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Data: 0000000000000008
OS Version: 10.0.18363.2.0.0.256.48
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 0000
Additional Information 2: 00000000000000000000000000000000
Additional Information 3: 0000
Additional Information 4: 00000000000000000000000000000000

Extra information about the problem
Bucket ID: 9bb8649466917ce96fbe26cfeb48c254 (2287308335198290516)


SECOND ENTRY:
Source
Firefox

Summary
Stopped working

Date
‎4/‎8/‎2020 7:31 AM

Status
Report sent

Description
Faulting Application Path: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe

Problem signature
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH (the other entry said BEX64
Application Name: firefox.exe
Application Version: 74.0.1.7398
Application Timestamp: 5e8706eb
Fault Module Name: firefox.exe
Fault Module Version: 74.0.1.7398
Fault Module Timestamp: 5e8706eb
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 00000000000127f9
OS Version: 10.0.18363.2.0.0.256.48
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 0000
Additional Information 2: 00000000000000000000000000000000
Additional Information 3: 0000
Additional Information 4: 00000000000000000000000000000000

Extra information about the problem
Bucket ID: b0959ebd4db83e8bfd95a114287e1851 (2131787106580568145)

- - - Updated - - -

Caledon Ken said:

Welcome to TenForums @heckydog

I would either uninstall Malwarebytes and SAS (not disable)

or I would use the clean boot process to identify the potential third party software blocking FF.

Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts


Sound like you know exactly what is installed on device but I would check if any of AV / privacy tool has slipped onto your machine.


Ken

I will look into the clean boot process if needed. I've bookmarked the link. Wouldn't quitting MWB and SAS accomplish the same as uninstalling? I have lifetime subscriptions and fear it would be messy to reinstall those programs.

Do you have an earlier restore point that you can get before this update happened? I would choose that over uninstalling MBam and SAS.

An Access Violation is a type of Exception caused when an application Reads, Writes or Executes an invalid Memory Address.
The Exception Code is 0xC0000005

Callender said:

Check your profiles.ini settings. Maybe something wrong there?

In any case upgrading Firefox to new versions can sometimes be problematic. To get around your reinstall/ create new profile problem - backup profile:

https://www.softpedia.com/get/System...-Restore.shtml

If you have any problem in future you can fully remove Firefox including profile and any remnants then reboot and install a fresh copy of Firefox.

Then you can restore your backed up profile using the software linked above.

My profiles.ini file has some subtle differences from your layout and I don't know if it makes a difference. Attached is a copy of mine. Perhaps you can spot something. I have copied a bunch of the files in from my current profile to a thumb drive. If push comes to shove I will have to uninstall/reinstall Firefox, but I'm trying to avoid the idea I would have to do that every single time there's an update.

(I noticed that I have Default=1 on Profile 1, not Profile 0, could that be an issue?)