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[Fixed] FirefoxPortable Left Files on System

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Bluevect
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[Fixed] FirefoxPortable Left Files on System

After a clean install today, I found a folder named Mozilla left on %ProgramData% and the portable program didn't clean it. In my opinion, it's not perfect to be a portable app. Please fix it! I can provide more information if needed.

John T. Haller
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More Details

More details are helpful here. It looks like newer Firefox releases changed behavior again. It's now adding an uninstall ping json file and an UpdateLock file. I'll need to specifically handle these new files in the launcher.

For context, the launcher already handles everything else (ProgramData, AppData, AppDataLocal, TEMP, and registry) and will remove the Mozilla folder in ProgramData but only if it's empty (and not a junction). This will sometimes happen as Firefox updates add new features, functionality, or tracking files and simply needs to be reported as a BUG so it's address in an update.

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Bluevect
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Details

Latest Firefox version 90.0.2, running on Win10 20H2. I understand an update causes this, but I have no idea on which previous version works.

John T. Haller
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Working Now, Working On For Next

The current version is working and not leaving any personal data behind. What I meant was that Firefox is on a fast update cycle and adds in new files/features like this. We don't always catch minor bits like this until after it's gone out, so I address it in the next release. It looks like part of Firefox's code doesn't respect the custom AppID we set for Firefox Portable so things like taskbar pinning via the platform work, so we're missing a couple files on exit. Specifically an UpdateLock and uninstall ping json file, both of which are in the %PROGRAMDATA%\Mozilla folder, so it can't be deleted. I'm working on a fix for the next release that'll use Mozilla directory hashing function to address one of the specific files. The other I've already got addressed in the code for the next release.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

Bluevect
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Appreciate

Appreciate your hard work!

John T. Haller
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(Partially) Fixed in 91.0 etc

This is fixed with today's release of Firefox Portable 91.0. The other channels will be updated over the next 12 hours or so.

Edit: Partially Fixed

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Bluevect
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The Problem Still Appears

No luck. Updated to 91.0, and there's still an empty update lock file left. I tried install FirefoxPortable in a new location, and found the problem still appears. I recorded a gif file here and wish it can be helpful.

John T. Haller
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Changed Again

Looks like they changed it again from 90.0.1 to 91.0. I'll update again for it.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

John T. Haller
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What Stays?

I see the C:\ProgramData\Mozilla\updates folder with a FirefoxPortable inside of it, but it is removed on exit. The UpdateLock-????? file does remain after exit. Is that not what you see?

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

John T. Haller
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Possible Fix

Please try this FirefoxPortable.exe launcher and see if it fixes the issue for you. It does here. Turns out I had one letter in the wrong case for calculating a hash: https://portableapps.com/downloads/temp/FirefoxPortableFix-2021-08-11.zip

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Bluevect
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Fixed, But Found Another...

I tried replacing the launcher and it worked! Now the update lock file is no longer left, and the whole Mozilla folder is cleaned.

Edit: Found a new file profile_count_FirefoxPortable.json, it causes the Mozilla folder left. The situation sometimes happens, not 100%.

John T. Haller
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Fixed in 90.0 Rev 2

This should be fully addressed in the new 90.0 Rev 2 update.

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Bluevect
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Perfect Work

Tested, it all went well. Thanks for making this perfect app!

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