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FireFox 19 - stop new tabs from switching to Yahoo Search

  • 6 respostas
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by ideato

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I have Firefox 19.0.2. When i launch it, it opens with Google Search (n.b., which is what i want). When i open a new tab, however, it indicates it it has switched to Yahoo Search. I have to click on 'Home Page' to get it to switch to Google Search.

Most of the solutions I found on the Internet were written back in 2009 or 2010 and the solutions don't work. I have tried entering 'about:config' in the URL line and looking for 'default page' and 'search here' but I can find nothing like that.

I tried uninstalling Firefox and re-installing it, but I still have the same problem - the first tab is as i want it, but every new tab I open has Yahoo Search. I suspect the reason is because I kept the client file and my bookmarks.

I would be exceptionally grateful to anyone who will tell me how to have all new tabs open with Google Search and get rid of Yahoo Search. Thank you

I have Firefox 19.0.2. When i launch it, it opens with Google Search (n.b., which is what i want). When i open a new tab, however, it indicates it it has switched to Yahoo Search. I have to click on 'Home Page' to get it to switch to Google Search. Most of the solutions I found on the Internet were written back in 2009 or 2010 and the solutions don't work. I have tried entering 'about:config' in the URL line and looking for 'default page' and 'search here' but I can find nothing like that. I tried uninstalling Firefox and re-installing it, but I still have the same problem - the first tab is as i want it, but every new tab I open has Yahoo Search. I suspect the reason is because I kept the client file and my bookmarks. I would be exceptionally grateful to anyone who will tell me how to have all new tabs open with Google Search and get rid of Yahoo Search. Thank you

Chosen solution

Hello Chesslover17, try the SearchReset add-on

if the above does not work, Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.

(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)

  • You can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • Or open the Help menu and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.

Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article for that.

To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help other users who have the same problem.


thank you

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All Replies (6)

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Chosen Solution

Hello Chesslover17, try the SearchReset add-on

if the above does not work, Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.

(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)

  • You can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • Or open the Help menu and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.

Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article for that.

To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help other users who have the same problem.


thank you

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Dear Ideato,

Thank you for your suggestions.. Your advice worked !!!

I clicked on Tools \ Add-ons \ and selected ‘Extensions.’ The only extension that was enabled was ‘AVGSafeGuard Toolbar 14.2.0.1’ I disabled it, restarted Firefox, and Yahoo Search stopped taking over the new tabs. Thank you !! I subsequently, uninstalled that extension following instructions from AVG.

Unfortunately, I now have another problem. When I click on the new tab ‘+’ sign, it opens a new tab with a bunch of minimized windows which show miniature versions of all of the other tabs I have open. I want the new tab to open to my Home Page in full-screen mode. Can you tell me how to do that, please ?

Again, thank you for explaining the problem was the ACGSafeGuard Toolbar extension. I really appreciate it.

Sincerely, Chesslover17

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You are Heaven-sent !! Thank you so much for the link. I have spent close to six hours trying to figure out all of the probl3ems i was having with Firefox and your two responses helped me solve both of them. Thank you so much.

I entered About:config in the search line (and promised I would be careful). I then found Browser:newtab.url, right-clicked on it, selected 'Modify,' erased the contents and entered http://isearch.avg.com/ (i.e., AVG's URL - i.e., my Home Page URL), closed the tab, closed Firefox, reopened Firefox, clicked on a new tab and it populated the tab with my home page as I wanted and in full-screen.

Thank you.

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you are welcome