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How do I set a different home page and home button.

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I want the home page to be blank when I open the browser, I want the home button to a URL. This was possible in older versions, and when you then updated the browser it maintained this difference - if it was already set. I did that once but I don't remember how far back on versions that is an option. Is it possible to do this in 89? If not, how far back should I go to install, make my home page and home button settings, then update to the current version. Then we're all good.

If you could supply a link to the correct FF file (windows 10, 64bit) that would be even more good.

thanks

I want the home page to be blank when I open the browser, I want the home button to a URL. This was possible in older versions, and when you then updated the browser it maintained this difference - if it was already set. I did that once but I don't remember how far back on versions that is an option. Is it possible to do this in 89? If not, how far back should I go to install, make my home page and home button settings, then update to the current version. Then we're all good. If you could supply a link to the correct FF file (windows 10, 64bit) that would be even more good. thanks

Chosen solution

update: finally got what I was trying to accomplish. somehow I got everything deleted (different website directions) and then installed FF 56, made my settings, then updated and it went to FF72 which is different than before, and then updated to 89. my settings are still there this time.

No, I don't know how I got it done. but I'm glad I did.

thanks for trying to help. not sure why jscher2000 and I got different results but it probably had to do with some settings that kept reloading and messing things up. computers......

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All Replies (12)

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You can set the startup page to a blank page. Firefox no longer offers this choice in Settings as a possible startup choice. You need to make the change directly to a pref on the about:config page to set the startup page.

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can click the button to "Accept the Risk and Continue".

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I can make the page a blank page, that wasn't actually my question. I know it's possible to do what I'm asking because I'm using a computer that was updated (many times) to the current version which doesn't seem to offer the option. I open my browser and it's a nice, clean blank page. I click the home button (set for mail login) and go to that page. Open a new tab or new browser session, again a nice, clean blank page.

So since it's working on my current computer, FF #89, then it's possible. I can do either of two options: 1. tell me how to do it, maybe through about:config, maybe a line in my current working browser that needs to be copied over, something else...?

2. tell me what #FF should I download from your archives, install it, set my home button and blank page, all while not connected to the internet. Then connect and update firefox to the current version. there are many, many different versions, I don't think it's a good idea to install 3-8 different ones trying to find the right one. So, what version did it change?

I'm open to either option, unless #1 is programmer level because I'm not. #2 seems the easiest option, but whichever...

thanks.

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I think you might have read right past it:

cor-el said

You need to make the change directly to a pref on the about:config page to set the startup page. browser.startup.page = 0
[0:blank; 1:home page; 2:last visited page; 3:restore previous session]
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You can use browser.startup.page to set a startup page that is different than the homepage. Other possibilities are to add the page to the target line of the desktop shortcut. The homepage is set via browser.startup.homepage.

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browser.startup.page = 0 great, that's a blank page on start up. that doesn't give me the home button as a different option.

Not being smart, but i don't think you are reading my post clearly.

new page, new tab, new browser session... - blank page home button, that house looking thing - web url

2 different needs..................

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cor-el I set the homepage and new windows (there is NO home Button setting option) to mail. then went to about.config and set browser.startup.page = 0

no change.

you do understand I'm talking about a home BUTTON vs page?

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So in about:config, does browser.startup.homepage have your desired URL?

Is this is a new installation of Firefox 89 (new profile), then you need to add the Home button to the toolbar from the Customize panel. For upgraded installations, your home button should still be on the toolbar.

Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars

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yes, it's the url, but that's not what I want. it's what I got following the recommended steps. new install on a new tablet. 89 DOES NOT give the option to set what I've designated. I already set the home button on the toolbar, I want to use it the way I've already described.

as a repeat... new page, new tab, new browser session... - blank page home button, that house looking thing (this is not the same as homepage) - web url

seriously, please just tell me which older version to download that allows me to set home page as blank and the home button as something specific. the older version will have the option of setting each differently. it will then carry it over to the new one.

please, of the 89 versions, how far back? 45? 58? 32? 15?

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browser.startup.PAGE=0

Modified by 22A12

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The Home button always calls the Home page. Always has.

The startup page can differ from the home page using the setting cor-el mentioned.

The new tab page is set separately.

I tested in a clean profile with this:

Results:

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Jscher2000, sorry for the delay in replying. not sure what's going on but nope... this is getting really nuts.

I opened settings, restored defaults under the home settings. Then went into about:config and typed what you said with my own url.

open new browser - it goes to the home page (the url) open a new tab - it's blank Cntrl N - it opens a new browser and goes to the url home button - goes to the url

I then did a refresh of firefox, repeated the steps above, and then I got a blank homepage, new tab, etc. And when I click on the home button, it's a blank page (like the homepage). I go back into about:config and the startup.homepage was changed by FF back to blank page. I repeated changing it 4 times and the same result after closing it then reopening about:config.

I installed FF56, it gave me the option to set the home button as a url and browser to blank page. &*%$$^&&*** then updated and IT reinstalled all my addons and wrong settings from before. So, I uninstalled FF again, went into the registry and deleted all the mozilla settings I could find (following some online directions), reinstalled FF56, set it up, then updated, and WTF, it again reinstalled all FF settings and addons.

How the hell do I get rid of FF completely from my computer so all settings are gone. I want it completely off. no left over folders, no reg settings, nothing. Can you tell me how to do that?

Modified by callingdoug

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Chosen Solution

update: finally got what I was trying to accomplish. somehow I got everything deleted (different website directions) and then installed FF 56, made my settings, then updated and it went to FF72 which is different than before, and then updated to 89. my settings are still there this time.

No, I don't know how I got it done. but I'm glad I did.

thanks for trying to help. not sure why jscher2000 and I got different results but it probably had to do with some settings that kept reloading and messing things up. computers......