With Firefox 41 (and higher), it's no longer possible to customize the page shown in a new tab via changing the preference browser.newtab.url in about.config. Because of the fact that hijackers abused the preference in the past, Mozilla decided to remove it (see bug 1118285). Fortunately, by removing it, Mozilla also introduced a new API to bring this functionality back to life as an add-on. This add-on allows the user to choose a certain page in a new tab.

New Tab Override (browser.newtab.url replacement) https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/new-tab-override/

This is also available using Classic Theme Restorer (Customize Australis) {web link} Restore squared tabs, appmenu, add-ons bar, small button view and more on Australis UI (Windows/MacOSX/Linux + Fx 29+).

You could also look at these:

• If Google is your home page, too: Try https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/new-tab-homepage/

• If you want the cursor to move into the Google search box in the page: Try https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/custom-new-tab/

Please only use one of these various new tab extensions at a time, otherwise there may be conflicts and dysfunctionality.

Setting up Custom New Tab

Open the Add-ons page using either:

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

In the left column, click Extensions. Then on the right side, find Custom New Tab and click its Preferences button.

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.

When I tested last year, 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.

GENTLEMEN! i'd like to thank both of you for your prompt and great replies. Truly appreciated! thanks