It probably is of more help if you say what the perceived problem is and how you are trying to resolve it.

The term preferences is often used with regard to firefox when editing prefs.js from about:config. See Mozillazine

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config

OK, let's try this. There is supposed to be A General tab in the menu. There isn't. In that tab, there is supposed to be a way to change Preferences. Only you I can't get there because there is no General tab.

Oh, Preferences? You can manage cookies and do all sorts of wonderful stuff. Well you used to be able to. Strangely enough, in Mac and Linux versions there's an entire toolbar up at the top. Over in the left hand corner you can find nifty stuff like what version you're running and, wait for it - Preferences!

Clearer?

On the Windows versions of Firefox, the term "Preferences" is called Options in the User Interface,

Hi ehodgens, welcome to the joy of different OS naming conventions!

If you encountered this Preferences/Options problem in reading past threads, it's probably because we try to tailor answers to the user's operating system. That's why it's a good thing you asked your own question rather than just giving up.

If you encountered this problem in a Knowledge Base article, it's possible that the page did not properly detect your OS as Windows and switch the wording. Or if you disabled JavaScript while viewing the article, you get a jumble of steps for multiple operating systems. There is a bar on the left called Editing Tools which has some version and OS selectors so you can make sure the article is tailored to your needs.

And if you want a persistent menu bar like Mac and Linux, you can use one of these methods to show the toolbar list and select it there:

• right-click a blank spot on the tab bar (or the "+" button)
• tap the Alt key to activate the classic menu bar > View > Toolbars
• in Customize mode > Show/Hide Toolbars (see: Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars)

To turn on the Menu Bar, Bookmarks Toolbar, or other bars, click it on the list.

ehodgens said

Oh, Preferences? You can manage cookies and do all sorts of wonderful stuff. Well you used to be able to. Strangely enough, in Mac and Linux versions there's an entire toolbar up at the top. Over in the left hand corner you can find nifty stuff like what version you're running and, wait for it - Preferences! Clearer?

Windows: Tools > Option Mac OSX: Firefox > Preferences Linux: Edit > Preferences

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Menu_differences_in_Windows,_Linux,_and_Mac

Mac is due to Apple HIG and Linux is due to Gnome HIG.