Firefox 38 switched from a pop-up Options dialog to an "in tab" options page. Some users are finding that it doesn't work for them, but so far we haven't identified the reason. Since you performed a Refresh, that would remove most of the possible causes. You also could test in Firefox's Safe Mode.

Never mind, you already tried this step That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

Any improvement?

If it just won't work, there is a preference to return to the old style Options dialog:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button promising to be careful.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste pref and pause while the list is filtered

(3) Double-click the browser.preferences.inContent preference to switch it from true to false

Note: I don't know whether that will be in Firefox forever or is a transitional feature. As you've probably noticed, the long-term trend is to remove things that pop up.

By the way, the address should be about:preferences (with a colon between the two words). If you paste that to the address bar and press Enter, will Firefox find it?

If not, your program files might be damaged, and it's probably a good idea to do a:

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 or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(1) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 38.0.5 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

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

(3) Rename the program folder as follows:

(32-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files\OldFirefox

(64-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox

(4) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Does a cleanly reinstalled Firefox start up normally??

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

• \OldFirefox\Plugins
• \OldFirefox\browser\plugins

The "about:config" option worked. By the way the "about:preferences" did have a ":" I just failed to key it in my message. Thanks for the help.

In Firefox 42.0, there is no option for browser.preferences.inContent. Is there another option in the preferences they might have renamed it to? I have can't access options at all.

Hi slappy4428, you are correct that browser.preferences.inContent does not do anything in Firefox 42.

When you say --

I have can't access options at all.

-- do you mean the page appears completely blank? Could you start a new question and include your configuration information (there is a button to share data as part of the question submission). You can start a new question at the following link. Scroll down past the suggestions to continue submitting your question: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/desktop/fix-problems