A new tab opens by default as a blank tab (about:blank).

If that isn't the case then an extension has changed that behavior.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).

• Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode

Actually, I just now found the answer. I did check Safe Mode Tools > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes and it was set to the default Firefox theme, so that wasn't it.

In case anybody else experiences this, when you open a new tab, a small "Settings" link in the lower right corner is where you need to go. A new window opens up and explains that the AVG secure search engine is set to open in every new window. Just uncheck the box and it will go away.

Thanks!

This problem is exactly what I have been experiencing since I made the mistake of loading Babylon...a language translation program. I have since removed the program and reset the homepage to Google, but I'm still getting Babylon's Google search window whenever I open another tab........ and I do not see a settings window in the lower right.....is there another place????????

• http://support.babylon.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/List/Index/48/english-faq
• http://support.babylon.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/List/Index/37/installation--technical-support

• [/questions/746530] How do I fully remove Babylon
• [/questions/815319] How can I stop opening http://search.babylon.com/ in the new Tabs?

"In case anybody else experiences this, when you open a new tab, a small "Settings" link in the lower right corner is where you need to go. "

I can't see any "Settings" link. I am OK with Firefox, but this AVG default search engine is driving me mad - it is hopeless and I want to return to Google as my default.

I still haven't found a way of doing this!

Restorations after stopping AVG Search

This works for me.

In Windows Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs, Run the AVG uninstaller in Change mode. In the list of Components, clear the checkbox for Link Scanner (annoyingly, this may be restored whenever AVG updates its engine).

Restart. In Firefox Add-Ons, remove the AVG Safe Search add-on.

View "about:config" (type or paste it into the location bar field). Type AVG into the filter area. I had 4 entries to change.

1. "browser.search.defaultenginename". Reset to default (by right-clicking) or change keyword to DuckDuckGo or Ixquick, or whatever you want, depending on your choice in step 2.

2. "keyword.URL". "To reset the Internet Keyword service to use a standard Google search, right-click on keyword.URL and select Reset" -Firefox support forum. This affects the Location Bar search, and can be user-defined, using: http://www.google.com/search?q=. or: http://www.google.com/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=. You can also use: The "I'm feeling lucky" URL http://www.google.com/search?btnI=I%27m+Feeling+Lucky&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=. or: The "Browse by name" URL http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=.

or, alternatives to Google:

Secure & private. DuckDuckGo – https://duckduckgo.com/?q=. Ixquick - https://ixquick.com/do/search?language=english&cat=web&query=. Startpage (Ixquick using Google) - https://startpage.com/do/search?language=english&cat=web&query=.

Others. qrobe - http://qrobe.it/ (Google, Bing & Ask in one). Yahoo! – http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=. Ask – http://www.ask.com/web?q=. Bing – http://www.bing.com/search?q=.

3. "avg.userPreferences.newtabDisabledByUser". Set to default (may disappear after this, or remove in prefs.js - with Firefox closed).

4. "extensions.avg@toolbar.update.enabled". Set to false (either leave this one after setting to false, in case AVG re-installs it, or remove in prefs.js - with Firefox closed).