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options always opens in new tab when I open the browser

  • 11 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 9 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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Every time I open Firefox I get my home page, but a second tab also automatically opens to the options screen. I don't want or need that, and I can't figure out how to stop it.

Every time I open Firefox I get my home page, but a second tab also automatically opens to the options screen. I don't want or need that, and I can't figure out how to stop it.

Chosen solution

You can check the home page setting to see if the about:preferences page is appended (|about:preferences#general). This can happen if you click "Use Current Page(s)" to set the home page.

You can check the home page setting

  • Tools > Options > General > Startup: Home page

Firefox supports multiple home pages separated by '|' (pipe) symbols.

You can pin the tab with the about:preferences page to prevent including about:preferences to the home page setting if you want to use this button. To set a single page as the home page you can drag the globe/padlock to the Home button.

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All Replies (11)

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Chosen Solution

You can check the home page setting to see if the about:preferences page is appended (|about:preferences#general). This can happen if you click "Use Current Page(s)" to set the home page.

You can check the home page setting

  • Tools > Options > General > Startup: Home page

Firefox supports multiple home pages separated by '|' (pipe) symbols.

You can pin the tab with the about:preferences page to prevent including about:preferences to the home page setting if you want to use this button. To set a single page as the home page you can drag the globe/padlock to the Home button.

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I have done the suggested option to stop the "options" tab from opening every time I open my browser. It did not stop it from happening. Can you suggest something else to fix the problem? Thank you

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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.

Click on this to edit. Look for |about:preferences#general or |about:preferences and remove it.

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Thank you for your help. What comes up on the screen is the following:

"browser.startup.homepage;http://my.xfinity.com/?cid=xfinityconnecttocomcastnet#1|about:preferences

browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID;20160105164030

browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone;43.0.4

services.sync.prefs.sync.browser.startup.homepage;true"

Can you tell me exactly which one to delete? Thank you

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FredMcD said

Click on this to edit. Look for |about:preferences#general or |about:preferences and remove it.
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To set a single page as the home page you can drag the globe/padlock to the toolbar Home button.

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What globe/padlock are you speaking of?

Also, I have nothing that says: "|about:preferences#general or |about:preferences" to remove. Thank you

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FredMcD said

Click on this to edit. Look for |about:preferences#general or |about:preferences and remove it.

LadyTaz said

I have nothing that says: "|about:preferences#general or |about:preferences" to remove.

LadyTaz said

What comes up on the screen is the following:

browser.startup.homepage;http://my.xfinity.com/?cid=xfinityconnecttocomcastnet#1|about:preferences

Remove what I highlighted.

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LadyTaz said

What globe/padlock are you speaking of?

He means the icon at the far left of the address bar. It only shows a padlock if the page is secured.

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Thank you, both FredMcD and cor-el, for your help. The problem is now fixed. Thank you again.

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Glad to help. Safe Surfing.