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Recently a "New Tab" opens when I open Firefox; also pop up adds are appearing when I use Firefox. How do I disable these?

  • 10 replies
  • 7 have this problem
  • 15 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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the New Tab has large icons, Face Book is one and there are others. I don't want to disable pop ups in general, just this new ad bar that just started appearing across the bottom of every page or tab that I access with Firefox.

the New Tab has large icons, Face Book is one and there are others. I don't want to disable pop ups in general, just this new ad bar that just started appearing across the bottom of every page or tab that I access with Firefox.

All Replies (10)

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Hello,

In order to better assist you with your issue please provide us with a screenshot. If you need help to create a screenshot, please see How do I create a screenshot of my problem?

Once you've done this, attach the saved screenshot file to your forum post by clicking the Browse... button below the Post your reply box. This will help us to visualize the problem.

Thank you!

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Type about:config<Enter> in the address bar. If a warning screen comes up, press the Be Careful button. This is where Firefox finds information it needs to run. At the top of the screen is a search bar. Type browser.newtab.url This tells Firefox what to show when a new tab is opened. If you want, right click and select Modify. You can change the setting to;

about:home (Firefox default home page), about:newtab (shows the sites most visited), about:blank (a blank page),

or you can enter any web page or about: page you want.

The same instructions are used for the new window setting, listed as browser.startup.homepage.

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the tab that automatically opens and covers the Mozilla Firefox Start Page is titled "New Tab" - see screenshot. I did execute the about:config routine, didn't change it so I went back and reset it.

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Has your problem been fixed?

Bookmark and use this; Download the Mozilla Search Reset {web link} This add-on is very simple: on installation, it backs up and then resets your search preferences and home page to their default values, and then uninstalls itself. This affects the search bar, URL bar searches, and the home page.

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I installed the search reset. I was glad to get Google back on the Start Page but the "New Tab" still comes up first.

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How do you mean, coming up first ? Is it coming up when you start Firefox?

Did you follow the instructions from my second post here? 12/8/14 7:06 PM

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Yes, I installed the Search Reset which did change the search engine on the the Firefox Start Page (from Yahoo back to Google)

When I click on the Firefox icon on my toolbar the browser opens with the "New Tab" tab in front of and completely covering the Firefox Start Page (see screenshot 2 posts back). I close it and then I have the Start Page. Also whenever I open a page while on Firefox a bar of ads comes across the bottom of the page. I X it out and it reappears when I change pages. Both of these things started at the same time (about a week ago). Are they related? Are they sanctioned by Mozilla? Anyway I appreciate your help thus far Fred, I hope we can lick it and I can get things back to normal. Best, TomW

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That all sounds like add-ware.

Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.

You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:

Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.

Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

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I've done malwarebytes and AVG without success so I will continue through your list of solutions. I'll be away from the computer for a day or so. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks, TomW

Modified by theta-art

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Type about:config<Enter> in the address bar. If a warning screen comes up, press the Be Careful button. This is where Firefox finds information it needs to run. At the top of the screen is a search bar. Type browser.startup.homepage

What is the current value? Post it here. Right click and select Copy

If you want, right click and select Modify. You can change the setting to;

about:home (Firefox default home page), about:newtab (shows the sites most visited), about:blank (a blank page),

or you can enter any web page or about: page you want.