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bing opens no matter what need help

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Bing opens every time I open up Firefox. I hate Bing and have searched everywhere for a way to get rid of it. I finally found in about:config there is a line which says browser.newtab.url modified string http://www.bing.com etc etc I reckon this might be the culprit, but I daren't alter anything because I don't know what I am doing. I did try "Reset" but it didn't make any difference, Bing reappeared. Any help welcome. Many thanks.

Bing opens every time I open up Firefox. I hate Bing and have searched everywhere for a way to get rid of it. I finally found in about:config there is a line which says browser.newtab.url modified string http://www.bing.com etc etc I reckon this might be the culprit, but I daren't alter anything because I don't know what I am doing. I did try "Reset" but it didn't make any difference, Bing reappeared. Any help welcome. Many thanks.

Chosen solution

pinapl4life said

this works for Mac right?

My post was for Mac, yes.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (17)

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Can't you just change home page in options? Unless I misunderstand your question.

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The browser.newtab.url pref to set the new tab page via a pref hasn't been supported for quite some time in Firefox releases. Only an extension can change the new tab page.

Did you check the homepage setting ?

You can check that those pages aren't set as multiple homepages.

You can check the homepage setting.

Firefox supports multiple homepages separated by '|' (pipe) symbols.

You can check the target line in the Firefox desktop shortcut (right-click: Properties) to make sure nothing is appended after the path to the Firefox program.

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Thanks to both of you. Changing preferences on Home has worked. Totally overlooked this step but so glad I've finally kicked Bing into touch. Thanks again jimmybeanus and cor-el

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I've done this before, but it always ends up going back to bing after a week. (9-9) anyone know how to make it permanent?????

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i hate bing

Modified by pinapl4life

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Hi pinapl4life, are you saying that once a week your Firefox home page setting gets changed from whatever page you selected (built-in, blank, or Custom URLs of your choice) to https://www.bing.com/ or is it some other change?

One way something could happen on a regular schedule like that is if a Scheduled Task (that's what they're called on Windows) is set up to do it. This could involve running other software that gets a kickback from Microsoft to send queries to Bing. Sometimes the URL of the query will point toward a particular culprit (look for extra parameters and, er, Google them).

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it goes from Google (my usual) to Bing, and there is no scheduled settings. I always have to reset my settings, and it works. I also have to delete search browser in my Mac settings for "One-Click Search Engines"

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pinapl4life said

I also have to delete search browser in my Mac settings for "One-Click Search Engines"

Sounds like a malware infection, or at least a bad add-on. A popular scanning/cleaning tool for Mac users is: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/

Please also double-check:

(A) No new, unknown, or untrusted extensions (details below).

(B) No autoconfig files. This thread has an example of how to track that down: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1256067

Extension Check

You can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Command+Shift+a (Windows: Ctrl+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions.

Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any extensions Firefox installs for built-in features are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything that mentions search, or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove).

Any improvement?

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jscher2000 said

pinapl4life said
I also have to delete search browser in my Mac settings for "One-Click Search Engines"

Sounds like a malware infection, or at least a bad add-on. A popular scanning/cleaning tool for Mac users is: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/

Please also double-check:

(A) No new, unknown, or untrusted extensions (details below).

(B) No autoconfig files. This thread has an example of how to track that down: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1256067

Extension Check

You can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Command+Shift+a (Windows: Ctrl+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions.

Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any extensions Firefox installs for built-in features are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything that mentions search, or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove).

Any improvement?

Thank you, i tried it. I will see if it works!! (i sure hope it does..)

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this works for Mac right?

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Chosen Solution

pinapl4life said

this works for Mac right?

My post was for Mac, yes.

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ok so i did all that, but just now, google changed to yahoo?!?!?!? i have no idea why this happening!!! :0

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Hi pinapl4life, Firefox doesn't come with a Yahoo search plugin, so it's getting added on somehow. Same possible mechanism: malware or bad add-on.

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jscher2000 said

Hi pinapl4life, Firefox doesn't come with a Yahoo search plugin, so it's getting added on somehow. Same possible mechanism: malware or bad add-on.

i deleted ALL of my add-ons... i will reset and try again...... if it goes wrong again i will try some sort of virus deleter

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pinapl4life said

jscher2000 said
Hi pinapl4life, Firefox doesn't come with a Yahoo search plugin, so it's getting added on somehow. Same possible mechanism: malware or bad add-on.

i deleted ALL of my add-ons... i will reset and try again...... if it goes wrong again i will try some sort of virus deleter

You didn't already run Malwarebytes the first time?!

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jscher2000 said

pinapl4life said
jscher2000 said
Hi pinapl4life, Firefox doesn't come with a Yahoo search plugin, so it's getting added on somehow. Same possible mechanism: malware or bad add-on.

i deleted ALL of my add-ons... i will reset and try again...... if it goes wrong again i will try some sort of virus deleter

You didn't already run Malwarebytes the first time?!

no, because from what I saw, it had to be paid for. . .

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Hi pinapl4life, for a one-time cleanup, you can use the free version (green button). The paid version runs persistently in the background like other security software.