2052294 - Multiple Versions of Firefox active after End Task / Restart - Incorrect Restore Operation - Restore performed AFTER new Browser Tab opened

Status: UNCONFIRMED

(Toolkit :: Startup and Profile System, defect)

Description

[bullwinkle007_2001]

Attachment: Post Restart.png

User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:152.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/152.0

Steps to reproduce:

I performed a Task Manager\End Task of Firefox in order to force a restart of the application. I researched AND followed steps (done on a prior version / some time ago - and apparently this was OVERWRITTEN) to create a Folder: c:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution\policies.JSON in order to turn off / DISABLE the Update feature of Firefox.
Reference: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1561795

Upon restarting - I observed some 'odd' things...

NOTE: this policies.JSON file process did not work / the folder was deleted - GONE / Article above states that this can now ( as of Version x ?) be done using policies - which I later followed.

Actual results:

Upon Restarting - I did a Restore Previous Session \ this resulted in opening a Firefox window w/ 4 Tabs - this is the Window shown in the forefront. I checked the Version and/or Extension Status & decided to see what updates had been installed - went to Update Window. When I selected an Update to review - a second Firefox Window was opened containing: My previous Session tabs (~20), Windows Update Tab (KB ID: 5070538), New Tabs (Qty: 9).

Restored Window (4 Tabs): NO Extensions Found/Installed; running Version 152.0.4; VPN Changes indicated (blue dot), Profile L (in circle).
Later Opened / Prior Session: About shows Version 152.0.3 (restart to Update Firefox); Profile D (in circle); Extensions Installed (STG icon displayed along w/ Group name in Orange).

Expected results:

1. I DID NOT Expect to see Multiple Versions of Firefox Installed. Keep in mind I had not 'used' profiles until recently (as a sandbox) in order to debug other issues I am/have experienced since 23 days prior (June 9, 2026).
2. LATE / delayed restoration of Tabs (which should have been my Previous Session), along w/ Multiple New Tabs (granted: I may have clicked on the Update entry Multiple times - 9 seems to be excessive tho).

I'm somewhat at a Loss as to WHY / HOW this has happened. Prior to this - I NEVER would have expected to see Multiple Versions running on my system on the same boot. Perhaps I have answered my own issue - due to Multiple Profiles in use. I have reviewed/referenced:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/understanding-depth-profile-installation
and this does not answer my questions.

DrJ Profile comes up by default when I now start Firefox either by Deskop icon or System Tray.
L(name) profile - I do not know where this has gone, nor what has happened to it. None of my open Firefox Windows display this attribute now.

Comment 1

[BugBot [:suhaib / :marco/ :calixte]]

The Bugbug bot thinks this bug should belong to the 'Toolkit::Startup and Profile System' component, and is moving the bug to that component. Please correct in case you think the bot is wrong.

Comment 2

[bullwinkle007_2001]

Attachment: Post Restart L Vers 152.0.4.png <-- L-Window running version

Adding Addt'l screenshots... Help\About in each Window, L & D (profile ?) this one 'L' - 1 view resized/moved for better view, OTW no changes. Task Mgr shows system up for 6+ days (no reboot).

Comment 3

[bullwinkle007_2001]

Attachment: Post Restart D Vers 152.0.3.png

Adding Addt'l screenshots... Help\About in each Window, L & D (profile ?) this one 'D' ...