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Homepage not activated in new version

  • 18 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by Shadow110

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Annoying new development in the newest Firefox. 1) I cannot enter a search term in the URL field anymore. 2) When I open a new tab, then it does not go to my homepage (which is my default browser)

I now have to Open a new tab, then once open, I have to (like an idiot) press the home page icon to get my default search engine to display.

Firefox used to open my homepage on every new empty tab created. Not anymore...

Firefox worked well. I cannot understand the reason for this silly development. It is truly counterproductive.

Is there anyway in the about:config that I can switch of this cat and mouse that the new version plays with my ability to get to my default search engine.



Version 60.0.1 (64-bit) PRETTY_NAME="Debian GNU/Linux 9 (stretch)" NAME="Debian GNU/Linux" VERSION_ID="9" VERSION="9 (stretch)" ID=debian Linux version 4.9.0-6-amd64 (debian-kernel@lists.debian.org) (gcc version 6.3.0 20170516 (Debian 6.3.0-18+deb9u1) ) #1 SMP Debian 4.9.88-1+deb9u1 (2018-05-07)

Annoying new development in the newest Firefox. 1) I cannot enter a search term in the URL field anymore. 2) When I open a new tab, then it does not go to my homepage (which is my default browser) I now have to Open a new tab, then once open, I have to (like an idiot) press the home page icon to get my default search engine to display. Firefox used to open my homepage on every new empty tab created. Not anymore... Firefox worked well. I cannot understand the reason for this silly development. It is truly counterproductive. Is there anyway in the about:config that I can switch of this cat and mouse that the new version plays with my ability to get to my default search engine. Version 60.0.1 (64-bit) PRETTY_NAME="Debian GNU/Linux 9 (stretch)" NAME="Debian GNU/Linux" VERSION_ID="9" VERSION="9 (stretch)" ID=debian Linux version 4.9.0-6-amd64 (debian-kernel@lists.debian.org) (gcc version 6.3.0 20170516 (Debian 6.3.0-18+deb9u1) ) #1 SMP Debian 4.9.88-1+deb9u1 (2018-05-07)

Modified by user633449

All Replies (18)

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What is the home page set at? Screenshot of the error?

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https://Startpage.com

1) If I open a totally new private window, then Startpage is loaded in the new window 2) If I open a new Tab, then all I get is as attached. The "Search The Web Field" does not work if you type something in there. I must fir press the Home Icon .. Only THEN do I get my search engine page.... really annoying and wastes literally hours of my time as I use a lot of Tabs.

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What are the two extensions immediately to the right or Ublock Origin? not familiar with those.

Also do you have any antivirus or ISP based traffic/virus checking playing with FF perhaps?

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I disabled all extensions, it still happens. I dont use any antivirus addos or software running.

As I mentioned when I start firefox the default tab goes correctly to the homepage. the problem arises when I create any new tab.

I read something that the developers did this to stop malicious sites creating new tabs. Well it breaks the usability of Firefox to such an extent that I will have to use a different browser if it is not sorted out or if there is no place in about:config to switch the bad idea off.

Modified by zimbodel

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The screenshot shows the new tab page with all content hidden.

Can you open the Settings page when you click the cogwheel button in the top right corner to set what to show on the new tab page?

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Yes, but that is where the rubber hits the road and the developers messed up afaic.

The only options for new tab is blank page and Firefox default. No way to select home page, which in my case is my search engine. They seemingly now interjected their firefox homepage as the ONLY option. Looks Nefarious.

It is easy to see Open browser, then ^T, press the cogwheel, choose the drop-down for "New Tab". Only options are blank page and Firefox home.

The solution should be that "Home Page" should be the option and not "Firefox Home".

Modified by zimbodel

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Your install of Firefox seems to be corrupt. See below my screenshot of New Windows/Tabs and the option for Custom URLs and that I have a few (the ones that you see in the above tabs in fact) as my new tabs|windows)

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I upgraded to the absolute latest. Problem still the same for me. I start without any addons. ^t for new tab doesnt show my homepage. Tried it on another machine still the same.

Modified by zimbodel

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Hi, please Copy/Paste about:preferences#home to the Address Bar and Enter.

Make sure only 1 URL in : Homepage and new windows

Remove the Check Mark from : Web Search

That should fix your issue.

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Thanks I did that but then I just get a completely white blank page when opening a new tab. See attached for my preferences page with about:preferences#home

Firefox 61.0.1 (64-bit)

Modified by zimbodel

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Hi, change the New Tabs from Blank to Default and that should do it.

Would suggest typing into the Address Bar startpage,com then use the full proper URL. Or use Home to get to proper URL. You can then Click : Use Current Page.

Modified by Shadow110

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"Hi, change the New Tabs from Blank to Default and that should do it. "

Gee things must have been changing a lot with Firefox recently. Have been using it since inception. There is no "Gear" on the new tab as there used to be. Where would I set the Tabs to Default ? Its not in my preferences.

From the web "The browser.newtab.url pref is no longer supported in Firefox (41+), so it is no longer possible to set the new tab page via a pref. " 41 is way back, and I only got this problem with the last two newest versions, but that seems to be the reason as quoted?.

I seemingly have ti use an extension to have my homepage displaying in every new tab...which is seriously nefarious and questionable.

From web "You can look at this extension if you use the home page as the new tab page.

   New Tab Homepage: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/new-tab-homepage/

" So this seems to be an issue intentionally programmed in with later firefox versions. Makes no sense.

Modified by zimbodel

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3 Bar Menu to Options --> Home , same page you had open before.

If you used to use the Menu Bar that was on top with File | Edit | View | History | Bookmarks | Tools | Help You can turn that back on as well as the Bookmarks toolbar if used that also from : Customize and mouse to the bottom Left to Toolbars and turn it on. or mouse to top of the browser and Right Click and turn it/them on.

No, using a Blank Page gives a Blank page as always. Before had to put in the address as about:blank to get a blank page.

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you mean setting the "Homepage and new windows" to Firefox Default. ? That doesnt work (at least not on Linux) I then get the dreaded Firefox page and the search field is NOT the search engine I configured as default search engine. I deleted all the google stuff and yahoo and bing and only have startpage as default.

Modified by zimbodel

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Hi, you could have left those or not.

Please look at the picture you posted.

Where it says : Blank Page Change it to Firefox Home (Default)

You can get there as before : Copy/Paste about:preferences#home to the Address Bar and Enter. or 3 Bar Menu --> Options --> Home

if you turned on the Menu Bar, Tools --> Options --> Home

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oops, both Blank and Firefox Default gives a Blank Page. when you open a New Tab.

Can Customize something using : https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/new-tab-override/

or Copy the URL https://www.startpage.com then put a Vertical Line in below Custom Url's ( this | ) then paste startpage in and can do it a bunch more times if want so that every new tab will open startpage or you can use something else.

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But, those will open when you start Firefox

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