[tor-bugs] #20300 [Applications/Tor Browser]: Unable to launch Tor browser

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#20300: Unable to launch Tor browser
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 Reporter:  grobin                    |          Owner:
     Type:  defect                    |         Status:  needs_information
 Priority:  Medium                    |      Milestone:
Component:  Applications/Tor Browser  |        Version:
 Severity:  Normal                    |     Resolution:
 Keywords:                            |  Actual Points:
Parent ID:                            |         Points:
 Reviewer:                            |        Sponsor:
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Comment (by mcs):

 Replying to [comment:4 gk]:
 > mcs/brade: FWIW: it seems to me we have more than one user reporting
 this kind of problem. I wonder what is going on given that we did not
 change anything control port related in the stable release...

 This problem occurs because once TB 6.5a3 is opened, the alpha versions of
 Torbutton and Tor Launcher are copied into the user's profile. If that
 same profile is used when they later switch back to TB 6.0.x, the
 extensions are not downgraded. This means that the alpha extensions are
 used with our stable release, which is not ideal.

 If this is important to fix, we have a couple of options:
 1. Modify the browser code that copies extensions from the distribution
 directory into the user's profile to downgrade them.
 2. User a different profile path for alpha so that profiles are never
 shared.

 However, my leaning right now is to just mention this is the alpha release
 notes. Maybe:
  "On OSX, if you plan to use both browsers please do not install the alpha
 Tor Browser in the same location as the stable one (including in the
 Applications folder). Doing so will cause your browser profile and Tor
 data to be shared between stable and alpha, which is not a supported
 configuration."

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Ticket URL: <https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/20300#comment:7>
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