Try in Firefox's safe mode does that help ? As a workaround try using keyboard shortcut ''Ctrl +T'' does that work ? You probably have malware. The presence of the conduit plugin is not a good sign. First uninstall what you can. <br /> Use the addons page about:addons to uninstall unwanted addons, then also check your Windows Control Panel and uninstall any unwanted programs. Searching by date will help you find bundled software. Second scan with multiple and up to date tools <br /> You need multiple tools because each finds some but not all problems. Thirdly use the Search reset tool & review how Firefox works. <br /> You may also need to check for corrupted shortcuts and user.js file entries if the above actions did not deal with them. '''Please post back to say what you did and how you got on.''' ---------- '''Detailed instructions''' Some of these things can be difficult to uninstall, and may affect other browsers not just Firefox. I guess they are designed to be difficult to uninstall. Uninstall the obvious junk or unwanted programs using Firefox addons manager and then also using the Windows Control panel. A tip there is to look at programs by install date to pick up junk bundled on the same install. Next scan for malawre and adware using multiple tools and hopefully remove more. Finally use the ''search reset'' addon that will take settings back to normal. One other thing you may need to do is check icons and shortcuts used by Firefox have not been modified. Appending a site address will cause Firefox to open that site. Generally there is no need to attempt manual cleanups of the Windows registry or use general registry cleaners unless instructed individually by a specialist malware removal forum. See also [[Remove a toolbar that has taken over your Firefox search or home page]] ----- '''General Malware removal advice''' Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of. You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software: * [http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/default.aspx Microsoft Safety Scanner] * [http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/ MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware] * [http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208283363 TDSSKiller - AntiRootkit Utility] * [http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro/ Hitman Pro] * [http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner/ ESET Online Scanner] * '''[http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ AdwCleaner: (for adware)]''' * [http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan Kaspersky Free security scan] You need to use multiple and up-to-date tools as they will not all pick up the same things. [http://windows.microsoft.com/MSE Microsoft Security Essentials] is a good FREE permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one. Further information can be found in the [[Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware]] article. Note the suggestion to use the Search Reset addon after removing the malware. Hopefully any malware will be easily detected and removed. I would not suggest you try any manual hacks or edits of the Windows registry. (Once rogue files are removed any residual registry entry will not normally do any harm.)