2035758 - Desktop shortcut is replaced by desktop Launcher at update on standard windows user, if selecting Yes at UAC.

Status: RESOLVED WONTFIX

(Firefox :: Installer, defect)

Description

[Monica Chiorean (OOO August 21st 5:30PM)]

Found in

• version: 152.0a1

Affected versions

• versions: 152.0a1

Tested platforms

• Affected platforms: Windows
• Unaffected platforms: Mac, Ubuntu

Steps to reproduce

1. Log in with a standard Windows user.
2. Install nightly build (https://archive.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/nightly/2026/04/2026-04-22-20-47-44-mozilla-central/firefox-152.0a1.en-US.win64.installer.exe)
3. Press Yes at UAC confirmation and follow the default settings.
4. Check that Firefox shortcut is added on desktop.
5. Perform a Firefox update.

Expected result

• During the update, the desktop shortcut won't be removed and the Desktop Launcher won't be added.

Actual result

• After the update, the desktop shortcut is replaced by Desktop Launcher (Launcher location C:\Users\Standard\Desktop).

Notes
*If selecting to uninstall Firefox using Yes at UAC Desktop launcher remains on desktop, although it should be removed.
*If selecting No at UAC, Desktop shortcut is replaced by desktop Launcher at update(which is expected), but at uninstall the Launcher is completely removed from desktop.

Regression range
*Not a regression recently implemented on bug2035214.

Comment 1

[BugBot [:suhaib / :marco]]

Set release status flags based on info from the regressing bug 2035214

:aborondo, since you are the author of the regressor, bug 2035214, could you take a look? Also, could you set the severity field?

For more information, please visit BugBot documentation.

Comment 2

[Antonio Borondo [:aborondo] (he/him)]

I've updated scenario 5 from Bug 2023696 and added two more. The scenario you're describing in this ticket is as follows, and it's correct:

Scenario 5

Preconditions

• A user without administrative privileges is logged in.

Steps

• Install Firefox with the full installer.
• Click on Yes in the UAC prompt.
• Custom installation in C:\Program Files\Firefox Nightly\.
• Update Firefox.

Result

• Desktop shortcut is removed from C:\Users\Public\Desktop.
• Desktop Launcher is added into %USERPROFILE%\Desktop.

Comment 3

[Antonio Borondo [:aborondo] (he/him)]

Regarding the issues described during uninstallation, we already had Bug 2034123. It's existing behavior and not a regression. Still, it needs to be fixed.