Both cited applications have portable versions as well as "on-board" versions. Did you download the correct one? Having been there once it is a question to ask?

DA

HI, DA,

I don't know what a portable vs. "on-board" version means. I did download the ccleaner from the same place I always do on filehippo - which I reach via a link on ccleaner to get the latest version. And it looked the same. For firefox, I went to the link that avast recommended in their scan that I had out-of-date programs.

Is there a way for me to know/check if it's the on-board version or not? It's not a mobile/android version if that's what you mean by portable?

Thank you.
Lynn.

Portable is connected via USB and stays on the flash drive. On-board is installed.

Did you try Safe Mode installing?

DA

The easiest way to update any program (or check if updates are available for free ones) is from inside the program. With Firefox, it's Help, About Firefox, then Check for Updates.

If you make a setting under Tools, Options, to Clear History when Firefox closes, you'll have little need for Ccleaner.

DA - I definitely had the on-board version. I don't know what "safe mode" installing entails. And I'm still puzzled at this new behavior from the laptop that it doesn't automatically install when I doubleclick the download.

Snidely - I did try to update ccleaner from within the program. It always directs to filehippo or piriform to get the download. Thanks for the info on updating firefox from within firefox. The fact is that my daughter uses several browsers - and several programs - so I like an overall ccleaner to clean it out.

Thanks.
Lynn.

Maybe below fix ... for .exe files will fix you up.

ps: sometimes, not always - virus type things cause that problem.

Here is a link that might be useful: File Association Fixes for Windows 7

This post was edited by mikie on Fri, Nov 8, 13 at 17:32

"When I double click, it asks if I want to open - when I select open, it asks with what program."

That's clearly a file association problem, as mikie points out, click the exe on the page mikie linked to, save it to the desktop, it's a zip file, so look for the folder with the zipper on it, right click on it, choose extract, extract it to the desktop, another folder will be created called exe fix, double click it. Folder opens, now double click on the exe fix and choose run.

Throwing this against the wall to see if it sticks:

Locate the downloaded file and right click on it. On the appearing drop down menu select Run as Administrator.

If you want to try another download location for CC try the link below.

DA

Here is a link that might be useful: Major Geeks

Well - it took a little back and forth with the file extension fixes. If anyone else is following this thread, the link Mikie posted is great, as are Zep's instructions. I found that I also needed to read the instructions more carefully. At first I downloaded the larger "open it" program. Then I saw to just download the fix for the .exe program. Once that was extracted, I actually had to right click and select merge. The first time, it allowed me to install firefox and ccleaner, but not the newer java. I went through the sequence again. Eventually got everything updated, downloaded and installed.

Damcoy: - while I was struggling before the .exe fix, right clicking on the downloaded file did not bring up the option to run as administrator. So I guess that didn't stick.

Thanks everyone.
Lynn.

I" actually had to right click and select merge."

You merged it to the Windows registry that's why. It's a windows registry fix.

"You" Fixed the registry! A system restore also may have worked.

Joe

This post was edited by zep516 on Sat, Nov 9, 13 at 11:50

I find this interesting. I have had the same problem for a long time only reversed on my XP desktop. I can't open the desktop installer. When I download, I always have it saved to my desktop. In the last year or so, it won't open. I get the same message, "windows doesn't know how to open it."

What I do is go to downloads on Firefox and doubleclick from there and I have no problem, it installs.

I just figured my old desktop was, 'just old.'

Jane