firefoxuninstallation

Firefox "Couldn't Load XPCOM" error won't go away, even after uninstalling Firefox

My computer was recently wiped by accident. During the recovery process, I ran a wide variety of tools to recover my computer, and for the most part, I got my apps and files back. I also used this as an opportunity to clean up my computer--and this is where the problem started.

I am no longer a Firefox user, so I decided to uninstall the Firefox app that my file recovery had so helpfully reinstalled for me. I clicked through Settings->Apps->Installed Apps and uninstalled Firefox. Problem solved.

Except, it's not. Every time I open my computer, a little Firefox error pops up, informing me that Firefox:

Couldn't load XPCOM.

A few Google searches of this error indicate that this is most likely being caused by some lingering executable on my computer that is still futilely trying to open a browser that does not exist. Searches through my computer (I'm using Windows 11, btw) indicate that the computer thinks that Firefox is still installed.

Image showing "Firefox" searched in the start menu, 3 options:

However, the apps menu in settings indicates that Firefox is long gone:

Image showing the apps menu, with apps before and after Firefox in the alphabet, and no Firefox in between them:

I just want the app gone. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks!

Solution

  • Couldn't load XPCOM

    Couldn't load XPCOM

    Possible reasons of above error message are:

    Note:

    You always have to remove the Firefox program folder and possibly disable your security software or boot Windows in Safe Mode to get a clean reinstall. Your steps may have worked if you rebooted a few times in case an update didn't complete properly.

    Solutions:

    This issue would normally be fixed with a clean reinstall that involved deleting the Firefox program folder.

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

    An error message about XPCOM missing or about platform version usually happens because of a failed Firefox update that left you with a mixture of old and updated files in the Firefox program folder.

    This can happen in case security software was keeping a handle of some of the files in the Firefox program folder preventing Firefox from replacing all the files.

    You can do a clean reinstall to ensure that all files are replaced. You may have to disable security software temporarily in case the problem persists.

    You can find the full version of the current Firefox release (61.0.1) in all languages and all operating systems here:

    If you want to solve this error using a video demonstration run your PC in Safe Mode and follow below steps:

    Couldn't load XPCOM Firefox - How to Fix Firefox Error

    Detailed steps from the video

    References: