have to reboot to close Firefox

You have several questions or several parts to your question here.

Closing Firefox properly: Use File > Exit or "Firefox button" > Exit to close Firefox, not the "[X]" in the upper right corner of the Window which is the the same as "Ctrl+Shift+W" which merely closes the Window (see item #38).

Even so Firefox may still not be closed but it will greatly reduce the number of times that Firefox is not closed.

Shutting down / Restarting system: Because you can terminate Firefox through the Windows Task Manager, it is almost never necessary to reboot the system because Firefox did not close properly.

Before shutting down your system would you make sure that Firefox is actually terminated by checking the "Processes" tab of the Windows Task Manager ("Ctrl+Alt+Del") to make sure that firefox.exe is not running as opposed to the Applications tab. Which is also the manner to that you would have to close Firefox when you get the message "Firefox is already running" and you don't have a Firefox window from which you can close Firefox.

If Firefox is running when you restart your system, then you either did not shut down properly ("Shut down") or you have included Firefox as a task to be started upon start up (which would be bad).

Retain the old appearance of Firefox:

You can make styling (chrome) changes to retain the look, appearance, and functionality of the Firefox you are used to because Firefox is customizable.

You can make Firefox 6.0 look like Firefox 3.6.*, see numbered items 1-10 in the following topic Fix Firefox 4.0 toolbar user interface, problems (Make Firefox 4.0 thru 6.0, look like 3.6). Whether or not you make changes, you should be aware of what has changed and what you have to do to use changed or missing features.

• http://dmcritchie.mvps.org/firefox/firefox-problems.htm#fx4interface

Please mark "Solved" one answer that will best help others with a similar problem -- hope this was it.

I never had Windows XP some places

Some places to find where tasks are started in Windows 7 are ...

START > Administrative Tools > Task Scheduler (everything it shows for me is for GoogleUpdate at 1PM and 4:09PM, plus on launch for mouse (IPoint))

Task Scheduler, click Start|Settings|Control Panel and double-click the Scheduled Task icon.

Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scheduled Tasks.

Firefox Closing Problems

-> press CTRL + ALT + DEL keys to open Task Manager -> Processes tab -> right-click firefox.exe and click End Process Tree -> close Task Manager

Update your Firefox Plugins

• https://www-trunk.stage.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
• http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/

Firefox is already running but is not responding

• https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox%20is%20already%20running%20but%20is%20not%20responding

Firefox Hang at Exit

• https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox%20hangs#w_hang-at-exit

Firefox Look problems

Common Questions after Updating Firefox

• https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/common-questions-after-updating-firefox

Back and Forward or other toolbar items are missing

• https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Back%20and%20forward%20or%20other%20toolbar%20items%20are%20missing

How do I Customize the Toolbars?

• https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/how-do-i-customize-toolbars

Check and tell if its working.