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Can't keep home page-reverts to search engine

  • 4 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by rzn6jw

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Using 54.0.1 Firefox and since the update I can't keep my home page. Closing out and starting Firefox, the home page reverts to a search engine. Not really what I want.

Used 'properties' on the desktop shortcut but only "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" show up. Used 'refresh' but still unchanged.

What's up? How do I keep my home page and not a search engine?

Using 54.0.1 Firefox and since the update I can't keep my home page. Closing out and starting Firefox, the home page reverts to a search engine. Not really what I want. Used 'properties' on the desktop shortcut but only "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" show up. Used 'refresh' but still unchanged. What's up? How do I keep my home page and not a search engine?

Chosen solution

It's the 64-bit that I'm using.

Did a 'refresh' again and that seemed to do the trick. I think, somehow, Firefox was reading the config files for Comodo IceDragon 32-bit, which I also have installed. IceDragon does not allow a home page other than a 'search' page (same thing happens in IceDragon as happened in this case - won't keep a home page even if manually changed).

Thanks for all your help!

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You can change your Home - settings via "about:preferences"

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Is it the built-in Firefox home page? To check that, you can type or paste about:home in the address bar to load that page and compare.

If Firefox keeps reverting to the built-in page after you change it (How to set the home page), please check this article about losing settings: How to fix preferences that won't save.

If it's not the built-in page, what search engine is it? Can you copy/paste the address from the address bar into a reply?

Sometimes your home page will be replaced by an extension. A Refresh clears those, but then when Firefox finds extensions in shared folders, it may ask you to approve them. Let's check what's going on...

You can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any extensions that Firefox installs on its own are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything suspicious? If in doubt, disable.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox before the change takes effect. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Any improvement?

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rzn6jw said

Used 'properties' on the desktop shortcut but only "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" show up.

Hmm, your Firefox reported it is the 32-bit version of Firefox for 64-bit Windows, so I would expect the path to be:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

Do you have two installations of Firefox?

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Chosen Solution

It's the 64-bit that I'm using.

Did a 'refresh' again and that seemed to do the trick. I think, somehow, Firefox was reading the config files for Comodo IceDragon 32-bit, which I also have installed. IceDragon does not allow a home page other than a 'search' page (same thing happens in IceDragon as happened in this case - won't keep a home page even if manually changed).

Thanks for all your help!