Mozilla will shut down Pocket’s services on July 8, 2025. At that time users will no longer be able to access the Pocket website, apps and API. You can export your saved items and API data until October 8, 2025 before they are permanently removed. For more information, see this article.

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

how to get rid of newtab - SHAME ON MOZILLA FOR MAKING THIS CHANGE WITHOUT ASKING

I tried to follow suggestions for getting rid of the new tab "enhancement" and I cant believe how complex this is becoming, Many of the suggestions simply don't match the parameters in about:config. I tried an addon to restore Browser.newtab.url and it has my original www.google.com parameter. However got all the same junk as the new tab "enhancement" from firefox v41.0.1. Is there anyway to delete this stupid "enhancement" ? Can I reinstall an earlier release of firefox, like V39?

I really am upset with all the extra research forced on me to try to fix this error. And a lot of time wasted trying to fix this. Next time Mozilla decides to install a fix I hope they have the can at least send a warning before making a major change to my computer. Mozilla is not much different from what hackers do.

I tried to follow suggestions for getting rid of the new tab "enhancement" and I cant believe how complex this is becoming, Many of the suggestions simply don't match the parameters in about:config. I tried an addon to restore Browser.newtab.url and it has my original www.google.com parameter. However got all the same junk as the new tab "enhancement" from firefox v41.0.1. Is there anyway to delete this stupid "enhancement" ? Can I reinstall an earlier release of firefox, like V39? I really am upset with all the extra research forced on me to try to fix this error. And a lot of time wasted trying to fix this. Next time Mozilla decides to install a fix I hope they have the can at least send a warning before making a major change to my computer. Mozilla is not much different from what hackers do.

Chosen solution

Sometimes features change. It's not hacking.

Firefox 41 no longer uses the browser.newtab.url setting in about:config because it was constantly attacked by malware. Starting in Firefox 41, you need an add-on to change the new tab page.

Here are some options (I learn of more all the time):

  • If you already use either the "Classic Theme Restorer" or "Tab Mix Plus" extension: There is an option somewhere (!) in its extensive settings dialogs to select a different new tab page.

Please only use one of these methods at a time, otherwise there may be conflicts and dysfunctionality.

Setting up New Tab Override and Custom New Tab

After installing one of these extensions, you need to use its Options page to set the desired new tab page (instead of using about:config).

Open the Add-ons page using either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Cmd+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then on the right side, find New Tab Override or Custom New Tab and click its Options button. (See first screen shot attached.)

New Tab Override

Depending on the height of your screen, you may need to scroll down to enter the desired address into the form. (See second screen shot attached.) For example:

  • Page thumbnails (default) => about:newtab
  • Blank tab => about:blank
  • Built-in Firefox home page => about:home
  • Any other page => full URL to the page

Then tab or click away from that form field and you can test using Ctrl+t.

Custom New Tab

Entering your preferred home page address is simple. If you do not check either of the boxes, the extension will set the focus in the page so, for example, the cursor will be in the Google search box. (See third screen shot attached.) I had to exit Firefox and start it up again before Custom New Tab started working, but this may have been due to testing so many extensions back-to-back.

Success?

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (1)

Chosen Solution

Sometimes features change. It's not hacking.

Firefox 41 no longer uses the browser.newtab.url setting in about:config because it was constantly attacked by malware. Starting in Firefox 41, you need an add-on to change the new tab page.

Here are some options (I learn of more all the time):

  • If you already use either the "Classic Theme Restorer" or "Tab Mix Plus" extension: There is an option somewhere (!) in its extensive settings dialogs to select a different new tab page.

Please only use one of these methods at a time, otherwise there may be conflicts and dysfunctionality.

Setting up New Tab Override and Custom New Tab

After installing one of these extensions, you need to use its Options page to set the desired new tab page (instead of using about:config).

Open the Add-ons page using either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Cmd+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then on the right side, find New Tab Override or Custom New Tab and click its Options button. (See first screen shot attached.)

New Tab Override

Depending on the height of your screen, you may need to scroll down to enter the desired address into the form. (See second screen shot attached.) For example:

  • Page thumbnails (default) => about:newtab
  • Blank tab => about:blank
  • Built-in Firefox home page => about:home
  • Any other page => full URL to the page

Then tab or click away from that form field and you can test using Ctrl+t.

Custom New Tab

Entering your preferred home page address is simple. If you do not check either of the boxes, the extension will set the focus in the page so, for example, the cursor will be in the Google search box. (See third screen shot attached.) I had to exit Firefox and start it up again before Custom New Tab started working, but this may have been due to testing so many extensions back-to-back.

Success?