In Firefox 41 the browser.newtab.url pref is gone. That pref was being hijacked by malware too frequently so Mozilla decided to remove that pref to eliminate that type of hijack, You will need an extension such as this to restore it. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/new-tab-override/

The New Tab Override extension requires some setup. If you are only interested in having your home page on the new tab, there is a simpler extension which you could try instead: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/new-tab-homepage/

Thank you for this information, but I would really like something that is not an extension. This seems like something very basic that should be built in.

Why on earth would someone not want a homepage on a new tab? It they liked the tiles so much, it seems they would set the tiles as the homepage.

I feel like I did when windows removed the start menu in windows 8 and gave us tiles. Yes third party programs could "fix" it, but it really should be built in. I think this is a serious design flaw.

Here in support, we can only help you work with the Firefox we have today... You can propose feature changes here: https://input.mozilla.org/feedback

Thank you for the information. It seems like I am not the only one having this issue.

i guess the only answer I have is to uninstall Firefox and install the previous version that actually worked. I call this version broken. Some may say this is a "feature" but i call is a major design flaw, or at least a serious bug. Like a automobile manufacturer that forgot to include a brake pedal in the car. This is a Big Deal.

If anyone reading this knows the developer who implemented this, could you please smack him/her for me. Thank you.

Hi RyanR, if you want to use physical violence against a software developer, you're on your own there.

If you spent every day on this forum for the past few years helping frustrated users wrest control of their Firefox new tab page away from malware, I think you might have a broader perspective.

Anyway, using older versions of Firefox is discouraged for security reasons. When Firefox 41 was released, Mozilla disclosed several security flaws in Firefox 40 that were fixed in 41.

If you really cannot tolerate the new arrangement, maybe you'd like to try out a different variant of Firefox called the Extended Support Release (ESR). This is designed for companies that require a longer cycle time between feature changes, and currently is based on Firefox 38. It will get security updates over the next several months, but not get new features, so changes in Firefox 41 related to the new tab page will not kick in for quite a while.

If you decide to try it, here is how I suggest installing it:

Clean Reinstall

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent, corrupted, or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 38.3.0esr from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/organizations/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(C) Rename the program folder, either:

(64-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files (x86)\Fx41

(32-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files\Fx41

(D) Run the installer you downloaded in (A). It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Success?

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that old folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

• \Fx41\Plugins
• \Fx41\browser\plugins

Thank you for this reply.

I find it strange that in order to increase security, a 3rd party extension is required. To me, 3rd party extensions open the door for malware. It seems like a better option is to secure the about:config settings a little better. I understand that malware can do bad things. I am very leery of most software, that is part of the reason why I do not like the 3rd party extension approach.

I do not like the force used to implement new "features".

The extended support seems like a great option for the time being. Your instructions are great. Thank you.

Hi,

I agree with RyanR. I had used about:config to make new tabs open to google search (which was hardly an elegant solution for most people). I didn't want tiles, everything was fine. This tiles upgrade was a downgrade and unnecessary interference. Why isn't there a simple way to make new tabs open to the url I select? This is a BIG DEAL and I am considering finding another browser because of this basic yet mysterious oversight. Does anyone actually use tiles? When I deleted them all I noted that there was a huge que of them, most having no apparent connection to me or my interests. It made me suspect Mozilla has taken a fee to shove commercial websites into my face before letting me get to where I want to go.

I really love Firefox but this interference is sadly degrading it.

Adrian

Hi Adrian, the tile-based new tab page was introduced in Firefox 13, over three years ago. I have been using it myself, with nearly every available space pinned for quick reference. Mostly I type into the address bar and use autocomplete, but if there are an annoying number of matches, it's handy to have a thumbnail to click.

As for the changing from a preference in about:config to an API that you access using an add-on, I'll refer to you this post: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1085243#answer-785476

Hi jsher2000,

Thanks for your response. I had arranged my homepage to open three tabs with sites I frequently use and then have new tabs open to google search. This saved clicks and was very streamlined. Although it seems kind of trivial I don't think it is because two clicks between me and the site I want to get to increases my navigation time needlessly. Having lost this function I have also lost the Drive menu icon which I frequently access. This upgrade was really very frustrating and I imagine if RyanR and myself think that then we are the vocal tip of the iceberg. I see it as part of a general problem with upgrades on all my devices - everything working fine then I have to solve the problem of a 'helpful' new upgrade; upgrades which are also gradually making my devices obsolete. Thanks for the link, I will check it out.

Adrian

Note that you can always middle-click the toolbar Home button with the mouse scroll wheel to open the home page in a new tab.

You can look at this extension to set the new tab page:

• New Tab Override: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/new-tab-override/

You can set the new tab URL setting via the Options/Preferences of the extension on the about:addons page.

Look at this extension to use the home page:

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

Classic Theme Restorer includes this feature as well. In CTR version 1.3.9 you can find the "New tab page url" in the Tabs (1) window.

You can use these special pages for the new tab page or use the URL of a web page.

• the default new tab page with the tiles is about:newtab
• the default home page is about:home
• for a blank page you can use about:blank