There are a variety of software that blocks changes to your home page settings. Could you please post a list of any toolbars or security software?

You can check the target line in the Firefox desktop shortcut (right-click: Properties) if this is only happening when you start Firefox.

I have the same issue with Internet Explorer. I did change the target, but to no avail. Any other thoughts?

I am using several virus programs, Spybot, AVG, Malwarebytes, Advanced System Care, and Super Anti-virus. I have been using these for a long time before the problem started. I remove toolbars as much as possible. I do recall loading some virus program about the time this problem started, but I do not remember what it was called, and it is not listed under any programs. I remember the program didn't seem to load, and I strongly suspect it is the problem, but how do I identify it?

Was there anything appended in the Firefox desktop shortcut after the path to Firefox?

Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.

Do a malware check with some malware scanning programs on the Windows computer.
Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware.
All these programs have free versions.

Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:
  http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
• AdwCleaner:
  http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
  http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Removal-Tools/AdwCleaner.shtml
• SuperAntispyware:
  http://www.superantispyware.com/
• Microsoft Safety Scanner:
  http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
• Windows Defender: Home Page:
  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
• Spybot Search & Destroy:
  http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
• Kasperky Free Security Scan:
  http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan

You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.

• Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller:
  http://support.kaspersky.com/5350?el=88446

See also:

• "Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked

I did run ADW Cleaner, which I had not had before, then I re-checked the properties on the shortcut as you suggested earlier. When I checked it before, i removed a lot of writing. This time I noticed ".com" at the end of the target, which I deleted. I checked the shortcut for Internet explorer, I removed a lot of text there too. Now they both work perfectly. Thanks for your help!