Type about:customizing<enter> in the address bar. In the new window, look for the icon. When you find it, hold down the left button on it, and move it to where you want it to be. You can move any of the icons you want from here, but some icons are locked in place.

There is also a Restore Defaults button at the bottom middle.

Tried that and just got "The address isn't valid

about:customizing is an internal page. Did you enter the whole thing as is? How about trying about:about  ?

Hi FredMcD

Thanks for the prompt replies I tried about:customizing and got the same as before I then tried about:about and got the page that I have uploaded.

Thanks Paul

PS: I have to go to work now so if I don't reply that is why.

Thanks

Hi, this should do the same thing: Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars - click on Restore Defaults.

However, it may be an additional toolbar that has replaced the default search, so have a look for it in your add-ons: Add-ons Manager (Ctrl+Shift+A) > Extensions, or try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).

If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:

• Click the menu button , click Help and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.

If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:

• On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
• On Mac: Hold the option key while starting Firefox.
• On Linux: Quit Firefox, go to your Terminal and run firefox -safe-mode
  (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)

When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.

To exit Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help others with the same problem. Thank you!

Hi

I ran an antivirus and spybot search and destroy and the search bar has disappeared, I can only assume that it was some kind of malware/spyware or virus.

Thanks for your help though.

Paul

That was very good work. Well done. Please flag your last post as Solved Problem so others will know.