At the risk of repeating information you already know from other sources, Firefox 41 no longer uses a preference for this address because it was constantly attacked by malware. This has been an issue since the new tab page and the preference were introduced in Firefox 13 and this was the decision on how to deal with the problem. Here in support we can assist you with the Firefox we have today. If you want to suggest changes for future versions, you can submit them here:

https://input.mozilla.org/feedback

As you know, there is a programming interface that can be used by extensions to override the built-in page, and there are several available options already, including:

• If you already use either the "Classic Theme Restorer" or "Tab Mix Plus" extension: There is an option somewhere (!) in its extensive settings dialogs to select a different new tab page.

• If you want to use your home page on the new tab: Try https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/new-tab-homepage/

• If you want to set a different page or a completely blank page: Try https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/new-tab-override/

• If you want the cursor to move into a search box in the page: Try https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/custom-new-tab/

Please only use one of these methods at a time, otherwise there may be conflicts and dysfunctionality.

Setting up New Tab Override and Custom New Tab

After installing one of these extensions, you need to use its Options page to set the desired new tab page (instead of using about:config).

Open the Add-ons page using either:

• Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Cmd+Shift+a)
• "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then on the right side, find New Tab Override or Custom New Tab and click its Options button. (See first screen shot attached.)

New Tab Override

Depending on the height of your screen, you may need to scroll down to enter the desired address into the form. (See second screen shot attached.) For example:

• Page thumbnails (default) => about:newtab
• Blank tab => about:blank
• Built-in Firefox home page => about:home
• Any other page => full URL to the page

Then tab or click away from that form field and you can test using Ctrl+t.

Custom New Tab

Entering your preferred home page address is simple. If you do not check either of the boxes, the extension will set the focus in the page so, for example, the cursor will be in the Google search box. (See third screen shot attached.) I had to exit Firefox and start it up again before Custom New Tab started working, but this may have been due to testing so many extensions back-to-back.

Success?

Thanks for including the feedback URL which I agree is more appropriate if there are no other workarounds in the current version other than addons or extensions which you have carefully laid out. I guess it's a tradeoff for now between security and convenience, but I typically try to avoid third party extensions and addons when possible. I appreciate your response.