Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift>
(Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox. Is the problem still there?

Sorry, should have said -- I tried that, too, didn't help.

Start your Computer in safe mode with networking. Then start Firefox. Try Safe web sites. Is the problem still there?

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia

I currently have downgraded to 43, so I can't test 44 with this windows safe mode attempt -- and for whatever reason, the 44 upgrade/43 downgrade cycle loses me all my cookies, so I'm not going to upgrade to 44 again until I have a reasonable chance that the problem is solved.

That is your choice.

I understand, but I read all of the help documentation and several other related threads before posting this question, so I have seen both of the suggestions that you made before. The reason I posted a question was that I was hoping I could get more specific advice than "start in safe mode" or "start in another kind of safe mode." If not, than at least I may call attention to the problem, if indeed it is a problem with Firefox 44 that other people might be experiencing as well.

I sent a post for others to see.

edit: No need to cross post about this unneeded software. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1126850

No need for any preloaders for Firefox as Firefox should start plenty fast as is. Note the desktop Firefox is not just for Windows as it is for Mac OSX and Linux also.

Preloaders for Firefox is not a new concept as variations have been around for eleven or more years now. It can cause issues such as make it more difficult to finish a Extension or complete Theme install that requires a Firefox restart.

This one for example existed way back in February 2005. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ffpreloader/files/