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Where can I find options choices NOT by going through the menu bar?

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If I use the menu item "Tools" and select "Options", Firefox freezes, requiring a reboot. I used to have a tab that allowed me to make the changes/choices that I could see from the options menu, but I have lost it and cannot find it in my history. If I have that tab "Options" open, I can set the opening tabs to the currently configured ones. I need that. Help!!

If I use the menu item "Tools" and select "Options", Firefox freezes, requiring a reboot. I used to have a tab that allowed me to make the changes/choices that I could see from the options menu, but I have lost it and cannot find it in my history. If I have that tab "Options" open, I can set the opening tabs to the currently configured ones. I need that. Help!!

Chosen solution

You can try to open the about:preferences page via the location/address bar.

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window

You can check for problems with preferences.

Delete possible user.js and numbered prefs-##.js files and rename (or delete) the prefs.js file to reset all prefs to the default value including prefs set via user.js and prefs that are no longer supported in the current Firefox release.

You can use this button to go to the currently used Firefox profile folder:

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All Replies (6)

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Hi Dragon Lady, to see the Options window with CLOSED firefox, so you be able to configure firefox (even if you can not open it) you can copy the next command :

firefox -preferences

and paste it in your Run Command on your Windows 7. Then you be able to see the Options window and choose whatever changes you like ! :-)

thank you

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Chosen Solution

You can try to open the about:preferences page via the location/address bar.

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window

You can check for problems with preferences.

Delete possible user.js and numbered prefs-##.js files and rename (or delete) the prefs.js file to reset all prefs to the default value including prefs set via user.js and prefs that are no longer supported in the current Firefox release.

You can use this button to go to the currently used Firefox profile folder:

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Dragon Lady said

If I use the menu item "Tools" and select "Options", Firefox freezes, requiring a reboot. I used to have a tab that allowed me to make the changes/choices that I could see from the options menu, but I have lost it and cannot find it in my history. If I have that tab "Options" open, I can set the opening tabs to the currently configured ones. I need that. Help!!

_________________________________________________________ Rejoice with me for, in restarting Firefox I FOUND MY TAB! Here is a screen capture of the link. Now, how in the world do I find it again, if I don't have it in the list of tabs to restore? (about:preferences#general) I do not remember how I got there to begin with, so re-creating it when I need it is all but impossible. If I hadn't found it in a previous log-in set . . .

Thank you for your answer. I hope to hear from you again. ~ Angel ~

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cor-el said

You can try to open the about:preferences page via the location/address bar. Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.
  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window

You can check for problems with preferences.

Delete possible user.js and numbered prefs-##.js files and rename (or delete) the prefs.js file to reset all prefs to the default value including prefs set via user.js and prefs that are no longer supported in the current Firefox release.

You can use this button to go to the currently used Firefox profile folder:

___________________________________________________________ Rejoice with me for, in restarting Firefox ("normally") I FOUND MY TAB! Here is a screen capture of the link. Now, how in the world do I find it again, if I don't have it in the list of tabs to restore? (about:preferences#general) I did not really understand your instructions, as step-by-step as they were (dumb person, here) so I couldn't get to the preferences page by following the directions you listed. I did not want to restart Firefox in safe mode (although when I did restart there was my tab in a previous log-in set) and I couldn't remember how I got there to before, so re-creating it when I need it is all but impossible. If I hadn't found it in an old tab list . . .

Thank you for your answer. I hope to hear from you again. ~ Angel ~

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You can create a new bookmark (possibly on the Bookmarks Toolbar or in the Bookmarks Menu) and set the location to about:preferences to have easy access to this page via the Bookmarks menu or the "show your bookmarks" button next to the star on the Navigation Toolbar.

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Thanks to all who jumped in and suggested fixes. Especially cor-el, whose message was so helpful. You are all wonderful!