Firefox opening noisy 'hidden' windows

For around 2 weeks now my Firefox has been opening new windows with noisy websites like Blinkx and ChinaOnTv. When Firefox is open on my computer I can't see these windown, only hear them. If I force quit Firefox, when it opens again it asks me if I would like to restore my previous session, at which point it shows me what windows WERE open and there is always at least one like Blinkx or ChinaOnTv that makes a lot of noise and "http://basicmoneyadver.com/1/blank.php"
== This happened ==
Every time Firefox opened
== 2 weeks ago

In reply to above post:
thats what I suspected so I looked into it as mainadver and the solution was offered to do this:
http://www.personalcomputerfixes.com/spyware/how-to-remove-the-google-redirect-virus/ - so i used combofix... thought it did the trick but no...
now i've just found this:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t329132.html
points 3&4 seem to describe problem well... I'm now scanning with Malwarebytes but since the user there says these scans are not picking the problem up I don't have much faith

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I have 2 copies of Firefox open (two different windows with lots of tabs), if I reboot can I restore both sessions?

I have 2 copies of Firefox open (two different windows with lots of tabs), if I reboot can I restore both sessions? I am familiar with clicking history/ restore previous session, but don't want to reboot to let windows update to do it's thing unless I can restore both sessions.

If they are running different profiles, then yes.

When I try to follow a hyperlink, Firefox opens a new window that stays blank.; also I can't download a hyperlinked file.

I recently bought a laptop that is equipped with Windows 7. I needed new drivers for my Canon printer and was able to locate the new software on their website. When I tried to activate the hyperlink, Firefox opened a new window with the proper address in the "window". however the window stayed blenk. Similar actions with IE yielded desired results.
I got the same "dead end" when I tried to download a form from Mozilla; again IE worked fine.

Start Firefox in [[Safe Mode]] to check if one of the add-ons is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Tools > Add-ons > Themes).
* Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
See:
* [[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]]
* [[Troubleshooting plugins]]

When trying to open a link to a pdf, firefox opens continuous blank windows- only way to stop this crazy manic window opening is to force quit firefox.! Any help is greatly appreciated!

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Thanks, but this is a problem that began immediately after I installed 9.0.1
this week...I haven't changed any settings that would cause this.

Firefox opens with a window that says "Checking for compatibility for Add-ons" then it always opens 2 tabs... one with my home page and one that says Congratulations, Firefox is up to date. How can I stop it from starting that way?

Firefox opens with a window that says "Checking for compatibility for Add-ons" then it always opens 2 tabs... one with my home page and one that says Congratulations, Firefox is up

Hi konee,
You should look at [https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Firefox+has+just+updated+tab+shows+each+time+you+start+Firefox this article about that specific issue] and the article [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved Preferences not saved]. These should give you all the information you need!
If that doesn't work:
# Type about:config in the address bar
# Click ''I'll be careful, I promise'' if prompted
# In the Filter input field type ''startup''
# Double click on startup.homepage_override_url
# Delete the text string and click ''OK''
# Close Firefox and reopen the window to verify that it has worked.
Hopefully this helps!

With Firefox open an update window came up; I clicked on Restart Later. When I later clicked on Firefox icon, a message brefly appeared "Firefox is damaged and cannot be opened" and the icon changed to a generic one with the "Do Not" slash across it.

With Firefox open an update window came up; I clicked on Restart Later. When I later clicked on Firefox icon, a message briefly appeared "Firefox is damaged and cannot be opened" and the icon changed to a generic one with the "Do Not" slash across it.

Many Thanks, Kurt.
I knew I'd seen the solution you've provided somewhere - either in MacWorld or MacFormat - but couldn't remember the Gatekeeper bit!
I shall save it somewhere VERY safe now in case this happens again …
You have made an old man very happy and saved me from worrying that senile decay had suddenly set in. (I was 70 last week so you might understand the situation from that.)
Best wishes
OllyanDinah

Is a Windows registry error responsible for Firefox opening two browser windows whenever I use a hyperlink from a Word file?

Whenever I use a hyperlink from an MS Word document, Firefox opens two windows instead of one. The first window is the one I need. The second contains a message that the page could not be found and the address bar contains the URL appended with "Firefoxhtml/shell/open/command".
This problem is similar but NOT identical to one in MozillaZine headed "Windows error opening internet shortcut or local HTML file - Firefox". But none of the solutions in that article work for my problem: I've disabled all extensions but that hasn't helped. I've tried editing file types so that the DDE is removed (I'm not a teccie so have no idea what that means), but after following the instructions to the letter it doesn't seem to remove the DDE. Also I read that removing the DDE is not a good idea for people like me who need to open numerous firefox browser windows at one time. Furthermore, the MozzilaZine article refers only to problems opening a URL link in a MS Outlook email when Firefox is NOT running. My problem concerns the opening of URL links in MS Word when Firefox IS running!
I've run countless different virus programmes, rootkit checkers etc but they all come up blank. However, I did come across guidance on this website: http://antivirus.about.com/od/windowsbasics/a/shellopen.htm which suggests that something may have altered the shell open command for two registry keys used by Firefox.
# HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htafile\shell\open\command
# HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htfile\shell\open\command
The default value for each of these should be "%1" %*. But on my user, the default value reads:
(for htafile) c:\windows\system32\mshta.exe "%1"%*
(for htfile) c:\programfiles\windowsNT\hypertrm.exe"%1
What should the value be for these two files?
Can anyone sort this for me please? Bear in mind I'm not a teccie!

Do a malware check with a few malware scan programs. 
You need to use all programs because each detects different malware. 
Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of the database.
*http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php - Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
*http://www.superantispyware.com/ - SuperAntispyware
*http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html - Spybot Search & Destroy
*http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php - Ad-Aware Free
*http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx - Windows Defender: Home Page
See also "Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked and [[Searches are redirected to another site]]

Firefox opens a new window every time I click a link. I reset FF and it did not fix the problem.

When I click on any link, the browser opens a new window. I have searched the browser options to fix this and have not found a place to select a different option. I have reset Firefox and checked all of my plugins and have not found anything that seem to be related to my problem. Sometimes, Firefox will work normally for the first few minutes of use and then start opening a window for everything.
By normally, I mean that I click a link and it opens the link in the same tab that I'm browsing. Some links will open in a new tab, depending on the type of link. Mostly, they open in new windows no matter what.

Boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.
*http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-start-windows-in-safe-mode/
Do a malware check with several malware scanning programs on the Windows computer.
Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware.
All these programs have free versions.
Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.
*Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
*AdwCleaner: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Removal-Tools/AdwCleaner.shtml
*SuperAntispyware: http://www.superantispyware.com/
*Microsoft Safety Scanner: http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
*Windows Defender: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-defender
*Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
*Kasperky Free Security Scan: http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan
You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.
*Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller: http://support.kaspersky.com/5350?el=88446
See also:
*"Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware

When I open a pdf file, Firefox opens a blank window, then the file opens in a Adobe Reader window. How can I stop the blank window?

Whether I am using Firefox 3.6.8 or Thunderbird 3.0.6, clicking on a pdf file opens a new window. After a few seconds the pdf file opens in a separate Adobe Reader window. When I am done with that and close it, I still have to go back and close out the blank window. Got to be a configuration issue some place. I have tried several settings under Tools/Options, but haven't found the right setting yet. Any suggestions?

Thank you very much for the reply. I followed your instructions. This fixed half of the problem. Links to pdf files that are on web pages now come up with a box that asks if I want to open or save the file, without a blank browser window in the background. That is great.
When I tested the fix with pdf file links in email, the problem still exists. I tested links in Outlook Express, Yahoo mail, and Gmail. Any time I click on a pdf link in an email, a blank Firefox window opens and then I get the small window that asks me if I want to open or save the file. Sounds like this is a configuration issue, not a technical problem. Thanks for your help.

Is it possible to keep Firefox open after all windows have closed (and to additionally open a new window when starting another Firefox process)?

Yes, yes, I know, it's not good to keep applications open when they aren't designed to be. I'm sure Firefox has some memory leaks and this is doing more harm than good, but...
My computer isn't the greatest out there, and to increase the usability of my Firefox browser it would be nice to keep the firefox.exe process open, even after closing all windows. I know Firefox doesn't totally close if there is at least one Firefox-related window open, but having to open X popup window seems a bit extreme to get this effect.
Additionally, to allow another window to be opened, it would be cool for the "OH NO FIREFOX IS STILL OPEN" prompts to be replaced with just attempting to open a new window, if this feature is enabled.
So, if it exists already, is there a config variable for it, and if it doesn't exist, is it possible to perform somehow? I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty if it comes to it; I'd really like to get this happening.
I'm running Windows 7 Home, if it matters. (I'd rather be running another OS, but this is neither the time nor place...)

LINK: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/minimizetotray-revived/

Firefox opens but no window comes up--no new window, tab, etc.

My iMac, OSX 10.9.4, opens Firefox so I have all the tabs running across the top, but no window will open. None of the top selections brings a window up--new window, new tab, private window, bookmarks, history, view--nothing.

There is no window, or the window is blank?
Occasionally the Firefox window will get off screen. Here are three different
approaches to getting that window into view. One of them should work!
'''Firefox Window "off screen" — Arrow Key Method'''
If you know that Firefox is off to a particular side, you can use the arrow keys
to move it back on screen. You only need to move it far enough to be able to
click the title bar and then you can drag it the rest of the way.
Make the Firefox tile active on the task bar and press this key combination
to start moving the window:
Alt+Spacebar > M
(To clarify, that's Alt+Spacebar to open the window control menu, then the
letter m to start moving the window.)
Press the arrow key for the direction you want to move the window, e.g., press
the left arrow key to move the window left. Press the Enter key to complete the move.
'''Firefox Window "off screen" — Maximize + New Window Script Method'''
If Firefox is nowhere to be found but you know it's out there, try this method.
Make the Firefox tile active on the task bar and press this key combination to
maximize the window:
Alt+Spacebar > X
(To clarify, that's Alt+Spacebar to open the window control menu, then the letter
x to maximize the window.)
If that works, try this:
(1) Copy the following line of code to the clipboard (it's all one line...):
newwin=window.open(window.location.href,"_blank","width=640,height=480,menubar,toolbar,personalbar");newwin.moveTo(0,0);
(2) In the maximized window, press Ctrl+Shift+k to open the web console.
(3) Press Ctrl+v to paste the line of code next to the caret (») then press Enter to run it.
A new copy of that page should open in a window positioned at the top left of the screen.
(4) Switch back to the maximized window and close it first, before doing anything
in the new window.
'''Firefox Window "off screen" — Remove Settings File'''
If you can't move or maximize Firefox, you can rename or delete the settings
file that stores the last window position.
(1) Open your currently active Firefox settings folder (AKA Firefox profile folder).
From the Start menu (Run box or search box), paste this into the search box and press Enter:
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
This should open a window showing one or more Firefox profile folders. If you have multiple
folders, look for the most recent. Click into your profile folder.
(2) If Firefox is still running, right-click it on the Task Bar and Close all Windows.
(3) Wait a few moments for Firefox to finish updating files in your profile folder, then rename
'''localstore.rdf''' to something else, like localstore-bad.rdf or localstore.old.
Alternately, you can delete the file.
(4) You're done with your profile folder and you can restart Firefox now.

Whenever firefox opens a new window a bar comes across the screen at the top with the word "allow" or an "X" on the right side. When I use allow, it closes.

This happens when I have only one tab, or window, open. Example, I am on a site like my banking site, and each time I click for a new operation, the black bar comes on just under my tool bar and asks if I want to allow the move to a new page, but it does not open a new window. If I hit allow, it usually closes my site and I have to log on again. If I hit the x, it also closes the window and I have to log on again. This has happened on a pc and at home on my mac.

This?
*Firefox > Preferences > Advanced > General : Accessibility : [ ] "Warn me when web sites try to redirect or reload the page"
The setting in "Firefox > Preferences > Advanced > General" is meant as an accessibility feature, as you can see by the label of that section, so that people with disabilities or people who use screen readers do not get confused and is not meant as a safety protection to stop redirecting.
See also:
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Options+window+-+Advanced+panel#General_tab
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/accessibility.blockautorefresh
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Accessibility_features_of_Firefox

Firefox opens a new window called "shortcut to ...." at random times

Hi all
I've found over the pass few days that at random times when firefox is open, it opens a new window called "Shortcut to .....". i cant see the new window tho can see it from the bottom windows bar
Any one else seen this?
Thanks

You may have set a download action to open a link in Firefox instead of to an external program.
Try to delete the mimeTypes.rdf file in the Firefox Profile Folder to reset all file actions.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/mimeTypes.rdf
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/File_types_and_download_actions#Resetting_download_actions
You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:
*Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder

Firefox opens an empty window when macbook wakes from sleep.

''duplicate of https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1013678''
Firefox 31 is active and I close the Lid of my MacBook air. when opening the LID sometime (1 hour?) later an empty windowframe appears. The address-bar is unresponsive. The situation cures itself after a minute or so.
Closing Firefox and reopening it, helps immedeately

Hi hstoeri,
This has not happened to me before, but in the past I have seen threads that have narrowed it down to hardware acceleration.
Try disabling graphics hardware acceleration. Since this feature was added to Firefox, it has gradually improved, but there still are a few glitches.
You might need to restart Firefox in order for this to take effect, so save all work first (e.g., mail you are composing, online documents you're editing, etc.).
Then perform these steps:
#Open Firefox ''Options'' window (''Preferences'' on Mac or Linux) as follows:
#* In Firefox 29.0 and above, click the menu button [[Image:New Fx Menu]] and select ''Options'' for Windows or ''Preferences'' on Mac or Linux.
#In the Firefox Options (or Preferences) window, click the ''Advanced'' tab, then select ''General''.
#In the settings list, you should find the ''Use hardware acceleration when available'' checkbox. Uncheck this checkbox.
#Now, restart Firefox and see if the problems persist.
Additionally, please check for updates for your graphics driver by following the steps mentioned in the following Knowledge base articles:
* [[Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems]]
* [[Upgrade your graphics drivers to use hardware acceleration and WebGL]]
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
Thank you.

Firefox opens up Downloads-window when scanning a barcode

Hello all!
Almost every time when I use my usb barcode scanner (Champtek WAND barcode reader) to scan a barcode on an online banking site, Firefox opens up the Downloads-window. So I figure that somehow Firefox thinks that I have pressed CTRL+J - how could I change this behaviour, eg. to completely disable that CTRL+J keyboard shortcut or change it to something else?
== User Agent ==
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.2.6) Gecko/20100625 Firefox/3.6.6 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

I was having the same problem. The thing is that you have to configure the barcode scanner and not the browser.
My barcode scanner was typing a CR (carriage return) + LF (line feed) at the end of each scan. I configured it to do only a CR (carriage return) per scan. It's the same as an "Enter" in the browser. After configuring, the browser stopped that CTRL+J behaviour.
You can read your manufacturer's manual to learn how to change this.

Firefox opening noisy 'hidden' windows

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