This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Lolu chungechunge lwabekwa kunqolobane. Uyacelwa ubuze umbuzo omusha uma udinga usizo.

AFTER the latest update, is there a way to still have newtab=about:home? (NO tiles, and NOT a blank page!)

more options

Just refreshed and now have the latest "tab" format in place... but I don't like it!

I get the whole "tile" concept, but can I please turn back to opening a NewTab directly to about:home? I'm a shortcut junkie, and having to open a new tab, then select a tile is going to be a pain.

And before you ask, YES, I have previously made the about:config changes manually, and YES, I did verify that it still shows the value for newtab = about:home.

Help!

Just refreshed and now have the latest "tab" format in place... but I don't like it! I get the whole "tile" concept, but can I please turn back to opening a NewTab directly to about:home? I'm a shortcut junkie, and having to open a new tab, then select a tile is going to be a pain. And before you ask, YES, I have previously made the about:config changes manually, and YES, I did verify that it still shows the value for newtab = about:home. Help!

Isisombululo esikhethiwe

From Firefox 41, the pref browser.newtab.url doesn't work anymore.

This is for security reasons: too much add-ons and malware were using this feature to set their own new tab URL.

Now you have to use this add-on: New Tab Override

More details about this choice here: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1118285

Funda le mpendulo ngokuhambisana nalesi sihloko 👍 2

All Replies (5)

more options

Isisombululo Esikhethiwe

From Firefox 41, the pref browser.newtab.url doesn't work anymore.

This is for security reasons: too much add-ons and malware were using this feature to set their own new tab URL.

Now you have to use this add-on: New Tab Override

More details about this choice here: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1118285

Okulungisiwe ngu Banban

more options

Absolutely perfect. Thank you!

I love the bug-thread commentary regarding the unfortunate timing of this change coinciding with the NewTab redesign... and yes, no matter how it is handled, conspiracy theories will abound...

HOWEVER - as a user I would REALLY have liked to find this answer along with the top 2 or 3 NewTab questions regarding Tiles / switching to a blank page / etc.

Still love Firefox (especially FOR the customizability), but I would think that enough users have a custom NewTab preference it would be relevant.

Thanks again Banban!

more options

I am happy that helped you. Thanks for your feedback.

You are right, many users are interested in this feature. So this add-on could be mentioned in the official support article. (maybe it will?)

Fortunately, when Firefox 41 will be officially launched, a lot of people will need this add-on, its number of users will increase and it will have a good place at the Firefox Add-ons website.

more options

So instead of fixing the problem firefox just disabled the function. Time to go back to Opera or investigate the other alteratives.

It would have been more useful require the user approve any change of value.

more options

Hi temp90, Mozilla created a programming interface so that add-on authors can set the new tab page. There have been numerous new tab-related extensions over the years, and I'm sure there will be more choice in the future.

Anyway, I replied to your question here: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1085003