using firefox 115.8.0esr (64 bit) -- about Firefox says "up to date".
with Win 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1

I get unbidden new windows. This had just started happening in the last few weeks.

1. Anyone know why? (Apparently, I did something - other than CTL+n)
2. Anyone know how to stop it or insert a confirmation box?

(Also, Firefox is no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and below.)

Thanks - jack

jackpatton@astraweb.com wrote:
> using firefox 115.8.0esr (64 bit) -- about Firefox says "up to date".
> with Win 7 Home Premium
> Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
>
> I get unbidden new windows. This had just started happening in the last few weeks.
>
> 1. Anyone know why? (Apparently, I did something - other than CTL+n)
> 2. Anyone know how to stop it or insert a confirmation box?
>
> (Also, Firefox is no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and below.)
>
> Thanks - jack

Search for "Firefox extended support release".

Ed

On 3/14/2024 9:31 AM, Ed Cryer wrote:
> jackpatton@astraweb.com wrote:
>> using firefox 115.8.0esr (64 bit)  -- about Firefox says "up to date".
>> with Win 7 Home Premium
>> Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
>>
>> I get unbidden new windows.  This had just started happening in the last few weeks.
>>
>> 1.  Anyone know why? (Apparently, I did something  - other than CTL+n)
>> 2. Anyone know how to stop it or insert a confirmation box?
>>
>> (Also, Firefox is no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and below.)
>>
>> Thanks  - jack
>
> Search for "Firefox extended support release".
>
> Ed

But that is what he is using.
115.8.0esr is what a Win7 user, uses today.

I would use Process Monitor, and look for pieces of code active at about
the same point in time. If it's Explorer, there are probably legit
mechanisms (SendTo?), but there could also be Context Menu items (shellex)
that are using http:// for some reason. Maybe the OP has a right-click
Context Menu item which is malfunctioning.

Even if Firefox kept a log, it might not be possible for a log
item, to actually indicate the beginning of the call chain.

For compute-bound activity (the calculation of Pi for example),
there would be no entry in Process Monitor. Process Monitor looks
for various kinds of "external activity" that require kernel
calls perhaps. And those are log-able.

To go more fine-grained than that, takes WinDbg.

Firefox may be registered for more than http:// and https:// .
It might also be a PDF reading tool.

Paul

In message <usv6rl$1n6d6$1@dont-email.me> at Thu, 14 Mar 2024 11:58:44,
Paul <nospam@needed.invalid> writes
>On 3/14/2024 9:31 AM, Ed Cryer wrote:
>> jackpatton@astraweb.com wrote:
>>> using firefox 115.8.0esr (64 bit)  -- about Firefox says "up to date".
>>> with Win 7 Home Premium
>>> Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
>>>
>>> I get unbidden new windows.  This had just started happening in the
>>>last few weeks.
>>>
>>> 1.  Anyone know why? (Apparently, I did something  - other than CTL+n)
>>> 2. Anyone know how to stop it or insert a confirmation box?
>>>
>>> (Also, Firefox is no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and below.)
>>>
>>> Thanks  - jack
>>
>> Search for "Firefox extended support release".
[]
>But that is what he is using.
[]
>I would use Process Monitor, and look for pieces of code active at about
[]
>there would be no entry in Process Monitor. Process Monitor looks
>for various kinds of "external activity" that require kernel
>calls perhaps. And those are log-able.
>
>To go more fine-grained than that, takes WinDbg.
>
>Firefox may be registered for more than http:// and https:// .
>It might also be a PDF reading tool.
>
> Paul

As Jack says, it's probably something he's done. I seem to remember
seeing somewhere in Firefox that chooses whether to open links in a new
tab or a new window - yes, in the version I have (115.8.0err) it's under
settings, Tabs, "Open links in tabs instead of new windows", which I
have ticked.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

"If god doesn't like the way I live, Let him tell me, not you." - unknown

On Thu, 14 Mar 2024 08:24:25 -0400, jackpatton@astraweb.com wrote:
> using firefox 115.8.0esr (64 bit) -- about Firefox says "up to date".
> with Win 7 Home Premium
> Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
>
> I get unbidden new windows. This had just started happening in the last few weeks.
>
> 1. Anyone know why? (Apparently, I did something - other than CTL+n)
> 2. Anyone know how to stop it or insert a confirmation box?
>
> (Also, Firefox is no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and below.)
>
> Thanks - jack

Keyboard key (e.g. Ctrl key) which starts to get stuck, may be a problem.
Try checking with a keyboard keys tester tool.

Paul wrote:
> On 3/14/2024 9:31 AM, Ed Cryer wrote:
>> jackpatton@astraweb.com wrote:
>>> using firefox 115.8.0esr (64 bit)  -- about Firefox says "up to date".
>>> with Win 7 Home Premium
>>> Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
>>>
>>> I get unbidden new windows.  This had just started happening in the last few weeks.
>>>
>>> 1.  Anyone know why? (Apparently, I did something  - other than CTL+n)
>>> 2. Anyone know how to stop it or insert a confirmation box?
>>>
>>> (Also, Firefox is no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and below.)
>>>
>>> Thanks  - jack
>>
>> Search for "Firefox extended support release".
>>
>> Ed
>
> But that is what he is using.
> 115.8.0esr is what a Win7 user, uses today.
>
> I would use Process Monitor, and look for pieces of code active at about
> the same point in time. If it's Explorer, there are probably legit
> mechanisms (SendTo?), but there could also be Context Menu items (shellex)
> that are using http:// for some reason. Maybe the OP has a right-click
> Context Menu item which is malfunctioning.
>
> Even if Firefox kept a log, it might not be possible for a log
> item, to actually indicate the beginning of the call chain.
>
> For compute-bound activity (the calculation of Pi for example),
> there would be no entry in Process Monitor. Process Monitor looks
> for various kinds of "external activity" that require kernel
> calls perhaps. And those are log-able.
>
> To go more fine-grained than that, takes WinDbg.
>
> Firefox may be registered for more than http:// and https:// .
> It might also be a PDF reading tool.
>
> Paul
I should have been more specific.
Here's my Plan A.
1. Download latest Firefox extended support release.
2. Uninstall Firefox.
3. Install from download.
That should take care of any unintended alteration you made.
Ed

On Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:31:38 +0000, Ed Cryer <ed@somewhere.in.the.uk> wrote:

>jackpatton@astraweb.com wrote:
>> using firefox 115.8.0esr (64 bit) -- about Firefox says "up to date".
>> with Win 7 Home Premium
>> Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
>>
>> I get unbidden new windows. This had just started happening in the last few weeks.
>>
>> 1. Anyone know why? (Apparently, I did something - other than CTL+n)
>> 2. Anyone know how to stop it or insert a confirmation box?
>>
>> (Also, Firefox is no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and below.)
>>
>> Thanks - jack
>
>Search for "Firefox extended support release".
>
>Ed

Thanks, Ed, that is what the esr in the release I am running stands for.....
BUT, i have never gotten a reply from them yet on in over twenty years on a probem (I was running
firefox before release 1)

jack

On Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:41:03 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:

>In message <usv6rl$1n6d6$1@dont-email.me> at Thu, 14 Mar 2024 11:58:44,
>Paul <nospam@needed.invalid> writes
>>On 3/14/2024 9:31 AM, Ed Cryer wrote:
>>> jackpatton@astraweb.com wrote:
>>>> using firefox 115.8.0esr (64 bit)  -- about Firefox says "up to date".
>>>> with Win 7 Home Premium
>>>> Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
>>>>
>>>> I get unbidden new windows.  This had just started happening in the
>>>>last few weeks.
>>>>
>>>> 1.  Anyone know why? (Apparently, I did something  - other than CTL+n)
>>>> 2. Anyone know how to stop it or insert a confirmation box?
>>>>
>>>> (Also, Firefox is no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and below.)
>>>>
>>>> Thanks  - jack
>>>
>>> Search for "Firefox extended support release".
>[]
>>But that is what he is using.
>[]
>>I would use Process Monitor, and look for pieces of code active at about
>[]
>>there would be no entry in Process Monitor. Process Monitor looks
>>for various kinds of "external activity" that require kernel
>>calls perhaps. And those are log-able.
>>
>>To go more fine-grained than that, takes WinDbg.
>>
>>Firefox may be registered for more than http:// and https:// .
>>It might also be a PDF reading tool.
>>
>> Paul
>
>As Jack says, it's probably something he's done. I seem to remember
>seeing somewhere in Firefox that chooses whether to open links in a new
>tab or a new window - yes, in the version I have (115.8.0err) it's under
>settings, Tabs, "Open links in tabs instead of new windows", which I
>have ticked.

Thanks,i will look into that

(Btw, that extra light footprint player i was looking for, looks like it will be MPC (6.4.8.3 --ancient,
but it does what i want -- it even played some old video files i had on the XP machine).

<jackpatton@astraweb.com> wrote:

> using firefox 115.8.0esr (64 bit) -- about Firefox says "up to date".
> with Win 7 Home Premium
> Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
>
> I get unbidden new windows. This had just started happening in the last few weeks.
>
> 1. Anyone know why? (Apparently, I did something - other than CTL+n)
> 2. Anyone know how to stop it or insert a confirmation box?

Could be the web sites you visit opening boxes or frames. If only some
sites have unwanted dialogs appearing, stop visiting there, or use an
add-on that lets you disable Javascript there to test if the dialogs are
from the site, or still within Firefox.

Disable all add-ons, and retest. Could be you installed some that are
adware even if all they're doing is advertising themself.

> (Also, Firefox is no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and below.)

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-users-windows-7-8-and-81-moving-extended-support

As I recall, Mozilla said it will support the last 2 major versions of
Windows. That would be 10 and 11, not 8 or before. You can still
continue using an old version of Firefox, like an ESR version, on an old
version of Windows, but eventually you'll run into problems, like lack
of security updates, lack of features, and web sites wanting you to use
a later version or they don't function correctly because they rely on
new features in a newer web browser.

Firefox has its own newsgroup at alt.comp.software.firefox. Best to ask
there on questions regarding Firefox.

On Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:50:48 -0400, jackpatton@astraweb.com wrote:

>>As Jack says, it's probably something he's done. I seem to remember
>>seeing somewhere in Firefox that chooses whether to open links in a new
>>tab or a new window - yes, in the version I have (115.8.0err) it's under
>>settings, Tabs, "Open links in tabs instead of new windows", which I
>>have ticked.
>
>Thanks,i will look into that

Yes, it is checked in mine as well. -- jack

In message <98c8vi1p7qcm1lo1q08v7gnv68q3uqm7o1@4ax.com> at Fri, 15 Mar
2024 07:30:20, jackpatton@astraweb.com writes
>On Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:50:48 -0400, jackpatton@astraweb.com wrote:
>
>>>As Jack says, it's probably something he's done. I seem to remember
>>>seeing somewhere in Firefox that chooses whether to open links in a new
>>>tab or a new window - yes, in the version I have (115.8.0err) it's under
>>>settings, Tabs, "Open links in tabs instead of new windows", which I
>>>have ticked.
>>
>>Thanks,i will look into that
>
>Yes, it is checked in mine as well. -- jack
>
In that case, I fear I can't help further! Under what circumstances are
these extra windows appearing - just at random, or when you do something
(such as click on a link)?
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Who is Art, and why does life imitate him?