There is software like Advanced SystemCare with its Surfing Protection feature that can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.

See also:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved

The only setting not saved is the Remember Passwords, others seem OK. Checked the KB article and as noted have reset Firefox, deleted and let Firefox recreate the options file, cannot find a user.js file, do not have any software running that is stated it can cause problems. Any other ideas? My workaround is to set the option each time I open Firefox. Also note this started suddenly, no previous issues. Have not loaded any new software, etc.

Create a new profile to test if your current profile is causing the problem.

See "Creating a profile":

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Profile_issues

If the new profile works then you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

Created a new profile per the instructions above. Copied over files from the original profile per the third link above. I only copied those I really need like bookmarks and the password files. Did not copy those the links suggested not too. All is well, the settings, including remember passwords are kept through shutdowns and restarts. Thanks for the help and the links.