What Firefox version is he using? If it's not current, you should update (for security, even if it doesn't fix this).

This could be something to do w/ Windows and / or some other software installed.  You could try starting Windows in safe mode, then start firefox.

With this kind of problem, it's possible the Firefox program files got messed up. Ruling that out - by uninstalling - is faster than the addon troubleshooting steps below, so you may want to try uninstalling/ reinstalling first.

PLEASE... backup your existing profile, before doing anything. It'll only take a few min & can save tons of headache. Search support.mozilla.org or Mozillazine.org (not the same folks) for "how to back up profile." It's easy & something you should do, anyway.

Uninstalling the Firefox program * shouldn't * affect your old profile, but you know how that goes.

Sometimes weird things like that happen due to addons used (& maybe less often, plugins). Restart the browser in safe mode (search for: "mozillazine + safe mode", to see how).

Don't select "make the disabling of addons permanent;" just hit continue. If it solves problem, you'll have to create another, new profile. First, just try the clean profile w/ no addons, to make sure it doesn't have the same prob.

Start installing a couple of addons at a time, restarting as needed. Keep good notes. See if any addons cause the problem. If so, narrow it down. If you find one problem addon, don't assume the rest are OK, & install all the rest. More than one could be an issue.

Joebt, I followed all of your instructions and it looks like it was solved by uninstalling and reinstalling Firefox 29.0.1. On restarting in safe mode and all add-ons were disabled, the fix still held after enabling all of them again. Thank you for your time and your answer to a very annoying problem.

Good deal. Tell Mr. Mary he can read the instructions / knowledge base articles & learn some troubleshooting skills from now on. :D

I'm a bit confused - did you just uninstall / reinstall Firefox first & also test it in safe mode? Or when did you use safe mode & on which installed version - the old, new or both?

Normally, starting in safe mode is for existing installations (of anything) to see if extra programs or addons cause problems. If you just uninstalled / reinstalled right away, there was no need to start in safe mode (likely).

If you started the existing Fx in safe mode (to disable all addons, plugins) & that solves a problem, that only indicates that addon(s) or plugin(s) were causing problems.

If starting in safe mode doesn't fix problem, then addons aren't the issue & it's likely a corrupted profile or corrupted program file(s). Which of those 2 it may be, depends on symptoms.

After yrs, you learn which problem may be caused by a profile or the program files (sometimes). But many people here are far more skilled than I.

Sometimes, could go either way, or NONE of the above is the problem. Like when doctors give medicine, but it doesn't help - because the symptoms aren't from "the usual cause," but something else, for which the medicine isn't effective.

Obviously you are skilled way beyond my ability and I am grateful for your help. I am the one that always takes care of all three of our computers. I do research and look at the forums until I stumble upon the solution for the problem from someone who is kind enough to share their knowledge.

I followed your instructions to back up the profile on a flash drive. Then I uninstalled and reinstalled Firefox. Started the new reinstall in safe mode with all of the add-ons disabled, then enabled each add-on individually re-launching Firefox after each enable. Didn't think to try safe mode before uninstalling and reinstalling, but your guidance worked, is still working as Firefox is no longer minimizing, and husband is happy. My question is "Why would every version of Firefox minimize itself for several months since the computer was new, in the same way when Firefox downloads each version automatically when new ones are available?" You would think when a new version was installed it would have corrected the problem. Don't they uninstall the old version before installing the new one? What do you think?

"Why would every version of Firefox minimize itself for several months since the computer was new, in the same way when Firefox downloads each version automatically when new ones are available?"

Since you neither created a new profile or uninstalled / reinstalled addons, the problem had to be with Fx program files. Someone can correct me, but I believe that not all existing files are overwritten by an upgrade, if there's no change. Many software "upgrades" just change (overwrite) or add files that have actually changed in the new version.

If a file got corrupted that hasn't been changed by Mozilla recently, it may have continued in a corrupted state from version to version.

That's why for any software exhibiting strange behavior, it's better to uninstall completely (usually rebooting computer), then reinstall fresh. Assuming the behavior is actually caused by some corrupted file.

Well, it was working for a few days and now is doing the same thing over again. Obviously our delight in finding a solution was short lived. Can you or anyone else suggest something new to try?

Short of a weird bug, say in an OS or browser, that starts some behavior after a set time period, or after a set # of starts, a situation like yours doesn't reverse it self "just because."

There's a reason, trigger - whether we figure out why, or not. Print or at least bookmark the knowledge base articles (KBs) I linked. Please read them - knowing where to find the info will help in future.

1) Again, did you try restarting Fx in safe mode, to verify that an addon / plugin isn't the problem? Yes No? check one. If not, do that & report back. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Safe_Mode

2) When you reinstalled Firefox (the program files from a downloaded Fx installation / setup file ~ 30 MB in size), DID YOU uninstall Fx, using the control panel (if Windows) "uninstall program?" Yes or No? check one.

3) If not, need to do that before reinstalling. Because, it's unlikely, but possible, that not every file in the Fx installation folder(s) were over written on reinstalling. Note: in this KB, follow instructions for "clean reinstall" - follow the OTHER clean reinstall method, using Control Panel. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Clean_reinstall

4) Pay attention to: Another "clean reinstall" method is to first uninstall Firefox (on Windows, do not select the uninstall option, "Remove my Firefox personal data and customizations." IF.... you select that, it will delete your profiles. So don't do it, unless want profiles deleted. Don't. Do not. Do-unt. Donut. 5) After uninstalling Fx in control panel, did you delete all Fx PROGRAM files / folders (NOT profile files / folders) in it's installation location? If in default location, would be "C:\Programs Files\Mozilla\Firefox\". **After** uninstalling in control panel, you can delete the entire installation folder, before reinstalling.

6) After uninstalling Fx & deleting any remain program files, I'd reboot the machine, before reinstalling Fx.

7) Since having so much trouble, I'd suggest creating a new profile. If only as a test. Follow instructions: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows

The profile manager will put a random 8 char. string at beginning of profile name, but you can add anything you want when it asks you to enter a name (so you can identify the profile, later): "FoxyMary-6-15-14," & the manager will append that to the profile name.

8) Note: Running Fx (or Tbird) in safe mode (almost- not quite) accomplishes the same as a new, clean profile. EXCEPT, a new profile doesn't affect any corruption in Fx program files. Usually, Mozilla corrupted profiles and / or problematic addons are much more common that corrupted program files.

Another important thing, that took me a bit to find: Check in firefox, in new tab, type in address bar: about:config. Enter. Enter past the warning. in the search box, enter: dom.disable_window_move_resize

It should be set = False. If not (when ever through installing Fx), set it to false, if not already. Just R click on the entry & click "toggle". On a true / false boolean entry, that switches value from true > false, or vice versa.

That setting controls whether Fx will allow java scripts on web pages to minimize / change the screen size. It used to be under Options. If it was = true, theoretically, web pages or hackers, could use "malicious" js code to mess w/ screen sizing.

Also, list what other apps are open at the times Fx automatically minimizes.

What activities, key strokes, etc., are usually being done when it minimizes?

Sorry, I have been busy lately, but I have now started working again on the problem. We have found that the browser minimization only happens when the computer first starts up and upon the first launch of Firefox. If you close Firefox and restart it, it doesn't minimize.

The steps I have done so far are to start the current version of Firefox in safe mode with all 5 add-ons disabled and Firefox didn't minimize. I then started Firefox in normal mode and disabled all of the 5 add-on extensions, shutdown and restarted the computer, launched Firefox and it still minimized. I also disabled each add-on extension individually, restarting both the computer and Firefox and it still minimized. So I believe that the add-on extensions are not the problem. Which of the plug-ins could be suspect? The only one that is set to "Always Activate" is the Shockwave Flash version 13.0.0.214. Should I set that one to "Never Activate" or "Ask to Activate" to check it?

You went to a lot of trouble with your explanations, but I was rather confused, so I need more instruction before proceeding. I didn't want to totally mess the computer up by doing something wrong. When I did uninstall Firefox previously on your instructions, it was uninstalled using the control panel. I did not delete all Firefox program files/folders at that time, because I didn't know to do that. Then I downloaded the newest version and installed it.

Answering your other question. When Firefox minimizes there are no other apps running. He likes to read the news on CNN first before doing anything else, so he has his start page set to CNN where he goes when first getting on the computer.

I did the about:config instructions and it was set to "false".

Thanks for your patience.

1st, "anything's possible," if not probable.

You probably need to be more specific on when Fx minimizes after startup. Keep notes on things like this - even the most knowledgeable minds can play tricks. When exactly does it minimize? After 15 sec., every time, or when?

What action by the user, if any, causes it to minimize?

It starts in "full screen" mode, but then suddenly minimizes? What else (that you can see) is happening at that same time?

Safe mode doesn't rule out problems w/ the Fx program files, conflicting software, or rule out certain profile problems or Windows (any OS) problems, but it's an easy 1st step.

This thread is now long & getting longer, but I'm not sure you did what I suggested long ago. To bypass all the troubleshooting & get down to brass tacks; In Order:

1)BACK UP (BU) your old, every day profile. DON'T skip this!!! You should also do this REGULARLY (like weekly or...) for BOTH Fx & Tbird, or any email client. Not backing up profiles regularly is ASKING for trouble / headache. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles

If have more than one profile or not sure, in Fx menu bar > Help (or hit Alt + H), then Troubleshooting > Show Folder (for Profile).

COPY / SAVE the name & path of current profile, in case need to use it later.

2) Create a new profile (don't del the old one). There are easy to follow articles how to do that on Mozillazine, or in this site's knowledge base (KB). http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_Manager#Creating_a_new_profile

HOW TO USE PROFILE MANAGER: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles?redirectlocale=en-US&redirectslug=Managing+profiles

It's quite simple & quick to create a new profile, just for testing a clean one. BOOKMARK important KBs like these - they'll be handy. Creating a new profile (at least to test) is probably the most common cure for Fx / Tbird. You won't need to do it often, but when needed, knowing how often (not always) makes things simple & quick.

Test that profile out for a while. Once it's created, choose it to use, by starting the profile manager (instructions from the profile KB to start profile manager): "Open the Windows "Start" menu, select "Run" (on Windows Vista, use "Start Search" or enable the Run box, as described here) then type and enter one of the following:

   firefox.exe -profilemanager, or just
   firefox.exe -P 

"

3) If a clean, test profile doesn't fix, uninstall Fx - using the control panel's uninstall programs method (not simply deleting the files). Then delete any remaining files in the Fx installation folder.

4) Shut down all other applications, programs, etc., incl. anti virus or similar (whether that's 3rd party software or Windows / MS). DISCONNECT from the web.

5) reinstall a fresh download of Fx 30 (if don't have one).

6 Can try fresh Fx install w/ old profile. If it works, won't have to transfer data into new profile. HOWEVER, IF... the profile was the problem, creating a clean test profile should have fixed the issue.

If you dislike Flash ads, I would set Flash plugin to "Ask to Activate". I doubt that it would be a plugin causing the browser to minimize if that happens with a page launched that does not use plugins. Plugins are called only when needed.

As to your question of what is happening when it minimizes. All that is done is, start the computer, (it is a wireless set up), firefox is launched in maximum screen mode with CNN's website appearing and it minimizes immediately.

I have again backed up the original profile to a flash drive, uninstalled firefox using the control panel and searched for any leftover folders and files to delete using the system search that showed that there were none, restarted the computer after the uninstall, downloaded a new version 30, reinstalled Firefox, created a new profile for testing, using the new profile to start firefox I got all of the add-on extensions he originally had, exported the bookmarks from the original to an html document, imported them from the document, set CNN as his start page. Shutdown the computer and launched firefox with the new profile and it still minimizes immediately.

After many hours of me working on it, he says to just let it go and he will just deal with it.

I thank you for all of the time you spent on trying to fix it, but he doesn't want me to spend anymore time on it.

Mary, If I understand, using the new profile to start firefox I got all of the add-on extensions he originally had, exported the bookmarks from the original to an html document, imported them from the document, set CNN as his start page.

You created a new profile & w/o testing the new, clean profile w/ the fresh install of Fx, you reinstalled all the addons & plugins in the new profile?

I assume you created a new profile - at some point - to test w/o any addons or plugins? I hope so - that was one of the main points. If you didn't, then create another new, clean profile - just for testing. Note: "clean profile" means w/ no changes, no addons or plugins, no themes - no nothin'.

Again, FYI - safe mode doesn't overcome corrupted files in a profile, or plugin problems. That's why we eventually created a new profile.

If a clean profile & new Fx install doesn't fix it, could be a Windows or conflicting software problem.

If the clean profile + fresh Fx install doesn't work, unless someone else has suggestions, I recommend going to a major Windows & software computer help forum, like Neowin.net. They have a lot of very knowledgeable users. They can't answer everything, but most things.

One option: you said it only minimizes once - at each startup? Then doesn't again, till next restart? You could just not worry about it & maximize it once. That's not a big inconvenience & it's not a security or privacy issue. Good luck!