Windows 10: Firefox Shortcuts no Longer Work?

Hi all. Firefox was working ten minutes ago, but clicking on the task bar and start menu shortcuts now results in a message that the application can no longer be found.

According to Windows settings 'add and remove programs' it's still there.

It seems possible that the recent Windows update troubles are implicated in the problem...

I can't report the exact phrasing of the messages as the shortcuts themselves disappeared (??) after a few attempts.

Needless to say I didn't remove the shortcuts or alter anything in Firefox. (other than several days ago to set embedded videos on web pages not to auto play)

The Windows 10 Pro 1803 update installed last week but wouldn't reboot. Windows seemed to revert to 1709 and testing using the system file checker etc as kindly advised here checked out 100%. Windows update history was reset as also advised using the Brinks .bat file tutorial method as it was messed up.

Updates were set using Group Policy Editor to require permission to both download, and to install. (Win 10 Pro)

The only known event that may have triggered this shortcut problem was that Windows offered a small update shortly before the problem arose which I (perhaps foolishly) let download because it wasn't the biggie that caused the last. It seemed to run, but isn't showing in the update history....

Can anybody advise what's happening, how to fix it and whether there's possibly anything nasty going on like malware please?

There's various shortcuts, log ins etc saved with the current Firefox install which it'd be good to keep.

Searching the web brings up various cryptic and less than comprehensive threads describing similar events (which imply that the same problem may affect other apps), but mostly in connection with Win 7...

:)

 

Missing Firefox shortcut from All Apps menu

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

• 
  Press Windows + R keys to open run window
  
• 
  Type Firefox to launch firefox
  

If it launches, you may try to create a shortcut of it by following the steps below:

• 
  Windows + E keys to open Windows explorer
  
• 
  Select this pc and select C: drive
  
• 
  Open Program files and right click on firefox and click on Shortcut on desktop.
  

Regards,

 

Video Issues in Windows 10 With Firefox

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

Please provide the following information with us to understand the issue better.

• 
  Is the issue occurs in Microsoft Edge?
  

• 
  Let us know whether the issue is specific to online videos or it is happening with other videos present in your system too?
  
  As the initial troubleshooting steps, I would suggest you to check all the available Windows Updates. Installation of recent Windows Updates should fix the issue.
  
  If the issue still persists, then try updating the Display driver and check. Here is the steps:
  

• Press Windows Key + R on your desktop screen to go to run command box.
• Type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter.
• In Display Adapter, expand Display Adapter, right-click , and then click
  Update.

If the issues persists ,only with firefox then i suggest you to contact firefox support.

Please do let us know the status of the issue to assist you further.

Thank you.