Type about:config<enter> in the address bar. If a warning screen comes up, press the Be Careful button. At the top of the screen is a search bar. Type browser.startup.homepage

What is the value? Right-click and select Reset to restore its default value; about:home

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.

I'm not sure what your home page is, but as a temporary workaround until you track this down, you could try something like this:

Example:

https://www.google.com/

Change to:

https://www.google.com/?

If there is already a ? in the URL, for example:

https://www.google.com/search?q=puppies

Then change to:

https://www.google.com/search?q=puppies&

This will cause the site to treat the random text as a parameter to be considered without invalidating the URL itself.

Can you give it another try and attach a screenshot?

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-create-screenshot-my-problem
• use a compressed image type like PNG or JPG to save the screenshot

Hello cor-el... Here is [hopefully] a screenshot.

Hello jscher2000 I tried your ? idea... Unfortunately, the URL I click on from my desktop to go to my homepage is a different domain name [arizonarider.net]. It is pointed to the web page that is having the problem with the extra extension letters added on [azridersouthwest.com]. My host is GoDaddy. I asked them if they saw anything hinky in my domain URLs & was told the each look normal.

FredMcD said

Type about:config<enter> in the address bar. If a warning screen comes up, press the Be Careful button. At the top of the screen is a search bar. Type browser.startup.homepage What is the value? Right-click and select Reset to restore its default value; about:home

---

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.

Hi FredMcD I started the steps you sent along. After typing about:config<enter> in the address bar, I got the message below [see screenshot]. Being a complete novice at this stuff, before moving forward I figured I should share this rather than forging forward and screwing my Firefox up worse than it apparently already is.

AZRider_Betsy said

Unfortunately, the URL I click on from my desktop to go to my homepage is a different domain name [arizonarider.net]. It is pointed to the web page that is having the problem with the extra extension letters added on [azridersouthwest.com].

If you click a direct link to http://azridersouthwest.com/ or create a new desktop shortcut directly to that site, does the same problem occur?

Unfortunately, the screenshot you posted with the unwanted characters is too small for my eyes to read the actual address. Maybe you can copy from the address bar and paste it as text.

AZRider_Betsy said

After typing about:config<enter> in the address bar, I got the message below [see screenshot].

FredMcD said

If a warning screen comes up, press the Be Careful button.

jscher2000 said

AZRider_Betsy said

Unfortunately, the URL I click on from my desktop to go to my homepage is a different domain name [arizonarider.net]. It is pointed to the web page that is having the problem with the extra extension letters added on [azridersouthwest.com].

If you click a direct link to http://azridersouthwest.com/ or create a new desktop shortcut directly to that site, does the same problem occur?

Unfortunately, the screenshot you posted with the unwanted characters is too small for my eyes to read the actual address. Maybe you can copy from the address bar and paste it as text.

Here is an example of the way the URL is affected ~ with unwanted characters. I say 'example of' because it just did the same thing again... No need to go get the earlier screenshot. THIS time it happened after I uninstalled Firefox, restarted the computer, and reinstalled Firefox.

FredMcD said

AZRider_Betsy said

After typing about:config<enter> in the address bar, I got the message below [see screenshot].

FredMcD said

If a warning screen comes up, press the Be Careful button.

The response I'm being offered is "I Accept the Risk" in regard to possibly voiding my warranty. I see nothing that says 'Be Careful"

You can check the target line in the Firefox desktop shortcut (right-click: Properties) to make sure nothing is appended after the path to the Firefox program.

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/wrong-home-page-opens-when-i-start-firefox-how-fix

jscher2000 said

AZRider_Betsy said

Unfortunately, the URL I click on from my desktop to go to my homepage is a different domain name [arizonarider.net]. It is pointed to the web page that is having the problem with the extra extension letters added on [azridersouthwest.com].

If you click a direct link to http://azridersouthwest.com/ or create a new desktop shortcut directly to that site, does the same problem occur?

Unfortunately, the screenshot you posted with the unwanted characters is too small for my eyes to read the actual address. Maybe you can copy from the address bar and paste it as text.

I have a 'home' shortcut in 2 places. Once the web browser is open, at the top of the page & to the right of the Address bar & Search box there are several icons.... among them the bookmark star, the download arrow, options, and what looks like a house / home. THAT shortcut works fine. At the bottom of the desktop in the task bar is an actual Firefox logo. THAT is the shortcut that is having troubles. If I use that one, I activate Firefox... albeit on an error page. I open a new tab, use the 'Home' shortcut at the top right of the page, and I'm good to go. But The Firefox shortcut to open the web browser from my desktop in the first place is the problem. Please forgive my ignorance but I am uncertain how to create a new desktop shortcut directly to http://azridersouthwest.com as you suggested.

cor-el said

You can check the target line in the Firefox desktop shortcut (right-click: Properties) to make sure nothing is appended after the path to the Firefox program.

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/wrong-home-page-opens-when-i-start-firefox-how-fix

This is what is in the target line: "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" The article said to delete the target line but the properties window gave me an error message when I tried to close it with the target box empty.

AZRider_Betsy said

jscher2000 said

AZRider_Betsy said

Unfortunately, the URL I click on from my desktop to go to my homepage is a different domain name [arizonarider.net]. It is pointed to the web page that is having the problem with the extra extension letters added on [azridersouthwest.com].

If you click a direct link to http://azridersouthwest.com/ or create a new desktop shortcut directly to that site, does the same problem occur?

Unfortunately, the screenshot you posted with the unwanted characters is too small for my eyes to read the actual address. Maybe you can copy from the address bar and paste it as text.

Here is an example of the way the URL is affected ~ with unwanted characters. I say 'example of' because it just did the same thing again... No need to go get the earlier screenshot. THIS time it happened after I uninstalled Firefox, restarted the computer, and reinstalled Firefox.

Hello jscher2000... I'm looking at the reply I sent you earlier [above] and the URL isn't there... even though I thought it was when I hit 'send'. Sorry for any confusion. So, here it is again.... http://azridersouthwest.com/ZcSfZ/ The string always seems to be 5 characters long.

jscher2000 said

AZRider_Betsy said

Unfortunately, the URL I click on from my desktop to go to my homepage is a different domain name [arizonarider.net]. It is pointed to the web page that is having the problem with the extra extension letters added on [azridersouthwest.com].

If you click a direct link to http://azridersouthwest.com/ or create a new desktop shortcut directly to that site, does the same problem occur?

Unfortunately, the screenshot you posted with the unwanted characters is too small for my eyes to read the actual address. Maybe you can copy from the address bar and paste it as text.

Hello jscher2000... I'm sending this again. Sorry for any confusion. http://azridersouthwest.com/ZcSfZ/ The string always seems to be 5 characters long.

AZRider_Betsy said

The response I'm being offered is "I Accept the Risk" in regard to possibly voiding my warranty. I see nothing that says 'Be Careful"

Looks like it was changed. Press the "I Accept the Risk" button.

At the top of the screen is a search bar. Type browser.startup.homepage

What is the value? Right-click and select Reset to restore its default value; about:home

AZRider_Betsy said

I have a 'home' shortcut in 2 places. Once the web browser is open, at the top of the page & to the right of the Address bar & Search box there are several icons.... among them the bookmark star, the download arrow, options, and what looks like a house / home. THAT shortcut works fine. At the bottom of the desktop in the task bar is an actual Firefox logo. THAT is the shortcut that is having troubles. If I use that one, I activate Firefox... albeit on an error page. I open a new tab, use the 'Home' shortcut at the top right of the page, and I'm good to go. But The Firefox shortcut to open the web browser from my desktop in the first place is the problem.
Please forgive my ignorance but I am uncertain how to create a new desktop shortcut directly to http://azridersouthwest.com as you suggested.

Based on your reply to cor-el, it sounds as though you use an icon to start Firefox, but the page that loads is set under Options as your home page. That's different from a web page shortcut (Windows Favorite or .url-style shortcut), so never mind on that suggestion.

What if you change your home page setting in Firefox to the new site address? See: How to set the home page.

FredMcD said

AZRider_Betsy said

The response I'm being offered is "I Accept the Risk" in regard to possibly voiding my warranty. I see nothing that says 'Be Careful"

Looks like it was changed. Press the "I Accept the Risk" button.

At the top of the screen is a search bar. Type browser.startup.homepage

What is the value? Right-click and select Reset to restore its default value; about:home

Hi Fred I completed the steps you sent along & will let you know what happens. Thanks!