If you'd like to change the search engine in Firefox, that is very easy: [[Use the search bar in Firefox#w_set-a-default-search-engine|Set a default search engine]]

Extensions and external software with no obvious reference to the name of a particular site can nevertheless have a paid partnership with the site and override your settings to drive your requests there. In order to regain control of Firefox, I suggest treating it as a case of malware. Here's my suggested procedure for tracking down and cleaning up bad add-ons, hijackers, and ad injectors. I know it seems long, but it's not that bad. (1) Open the Windows '''Control Panel''', Uninstall a Program. After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help in smoking out undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. ''Be suspicious of everything you do not recognize/remember, as malware often uses important or innocent sounding names to discourage you from removing it.'' Take out as much trash as possible here. (2) Open Firefox's '''Add-ons page''' using either: * Ctrl+Shift+a * "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons * in the Windows "Run" dialog, type or paste <br><code>firefox.exe "about:addons"</code> In the left column, click '''Plugins'''. Set nonessential and unrecognized plugins to "Never Activate". In the left column, click '''Extensions'''. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions. ''Bear in mind that all extensions are optional, none come with Firefox, and you can learn more about them by checking their reviews on the Add-ons site.'' Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step. Any improvement? (3) You can search for remaining issues with the '''scanning/cleaning tools''' listed in our support article: [[Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware]]. These on-demand scanners are free and take considerable time to run. If they finish quickly and especially if they require payment, you may have a serious infection. I suggest the specialized forums listed in the article in that case. Success? ---- After that, try fixing the settings that are troubling you, whether your home page, search engine, new tab, etc. If your changes only work until you exit Firefox and start it up again: One thing to investigate is whether you have an optional settings file named user.js file in your profile folder (personal settings folder). If that is present, Firefox will use it at startup to override your saved preferences from the previous session. You can check and remove the file using the steps in this article: [[How to fix preferences that won't save]]. Note: By default, Windows hides the .js file extension and some others. To work with files as accurately as possible, I suggest showing all extensions. This Microsoft support article has the steps (not sure it's still accurate for Windows 10): [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/show-hide-file-name-extensions]. You might also check whether you have Advanced SystemCare or another program that monitors for browser settings changes and rolls them back.