I began having this problem today after a Windows update. Some time ago, I had this same issue and a search gave me the instructions for a fix in about:config where I changed "browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar" to false. I just checked that to see if it needed to be reset, but it is still configured to false, so I wonder what is going on.

I agree it should not require a fix, but here we are. Have you tried this? Type about:config in the address bar, then click on "Accept the Risk and Continue." Next, paste: browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar in the search box, or click "show all" and scroll to find it. Look to the right and find the toggle symbol and click it to change "true" to "false" then restart Firefox and see if that fixes the issue. It worked for me for a few years. Hope it helps.

I have no idea why it is not working for me now. Maybe it is some sinister thing with Windows. Windows updates have been wreaking havoc with my computer for the past couple of months.

Hello

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1339296 https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/please-use-the-searchbox-but-not-the-address-bar-in-new-tabs/idi-p/4720

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1562583

Under Firefox 147, currently 147.0.3. browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar, the preference is available in about:config and works.

Since Firefox 148, browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar has been removed.

For information https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1999334

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2016227

About Studies https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/shield

Type about:studies into your address bar to see a list of your studies. Click the Remove button next to the study you want to opt out of.