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After doing a Firefox Refresh, Firefox now opens MSN on starting. How do I stop it?

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  • Last reply by cor-el

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I recently ran Firefox Refresh to speed up my browser. After Firefox was refreshed, it started loading the MSN page on starting, even though it is not set as my home page. All additional tabs show the correct home page. The URL that it opens looks like this: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/?cobrand=acer15.msn.com&ocid=ACERDHP15&pc=ACTE

It looks like Acer (my laptop manufacturer) is trying to force me to use MSN as a homepage. How do I undo this?

I recently ran Firefox Refresh to speed up my browser. After Firefox was refreshed, it started loading the MSN page on starting, even though it is not set as my home page. All additional tabs show the correct home page. The URL that it opens looks like this: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/?cobrand=acer15.msn.com&ocid=ACERDHP15&pc=ACTE It looks like Acer (my laptop manufacturer) is trying to force me to use MSN as a homepage. How do I undo this?

Chosen solution

What is the current setting of browser.startup.homepage?

You can try to modify browser.startup.page directly on the about:config page.

  • 0 = blank, 1 = home (browser.startup.homepage), 2 = last visited page, 3 = resume previous browser session
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Separate Security Issue: Update your Flash Player or remove it using these links; http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html Uninstall Flash Player | Windows http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html Uninstall Flash Player | Mac

Note: Windows users should download the ActiveX for Internet Explorer. and the plugin for Plugin-based browsers (like Firefox).

Note: Windows 8 and Windows 10 have built-in flash players and Adobe will cause a conflict. Install the plugin only. Not the ActiveX.

Flash Player Version: Version 31.0.0.153

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ Direct link scans current system and browser Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only>

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/ Step 1: Select Operating System Step 2: Select A Version (Firefox, Win IE . . . .) Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only> +++++++++++++++++++ See if there are updates for your graphics drivers https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

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The presence of ACER in the URL would suggest that this is a customization from your computer branded by Acer, so maybe take this up to Acer support.

Did you at least check the target field in the Firefox desktop shortcut to make sure it doesn't include this URL?

You can also check the about:policies page to see whether policies are active (Options/Preferences -> Home should show this as well).

You can open "about:" pages via the location/address bar

  • "about:" is a protocol to access special pages
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cor-el said

The presence of ACER in the URL would suggest that this is a customization from your computer branded by Acer, so maybe take this up to Acer support. Did you at least check the target field in the Firefox desktop shortcut to make sure it doesn't include this URL? You can also check the about:policies page to see whether policies are active (Options/Preferences -> Home should show this as well). You can open "about:" pages via the location/address bar
  • "about:" is a protocol to access special pages

It was never an issue before I refreshed Firefox. I was able to override the settings by going to about:config and changing the value for browser.startup.homepage

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Chosen Solution

What is the current setting of browser.startup.homepage?

You can try to modify browser.startup.page directly on the about:config page.

  • 0 = blank, 1 = home (browser.startup.homepage), 2 = last visited page, 3 = resume previous browser session