If your using the 'New Tab Homepage' extension then this happens when you upgrade to Firefox 4. Uninstall the official 0.4.3 extension and install the one below for a quick hack. All it does is remove the following section from the code which focuses the cursor on the urlbar.

     if (gURLBar)
       setTimeout(function() { 
         // if page is about:blank select() works just like focus, two birds one stone
         gURLBar.select();
       }, 0);

http://www.mediafire.com/?v1113g9noytswdv

(download and drag into firefox to install)

really this should be a preference as part of the extension to allow the user to choose the focus.

Worked like a charm. I assumed it was as simple as changing a section of code or a variable, but I figured it would have been something with the browser and not the addon.

Thanks!

Sorry for this absolute novice question but how exactly do i install this download?

I uninstalled 0.4.3 as stated and then tried to drag the files into an open firefox window but to no avail!

Thanks in advance

@ytrewq123 : Are you sure you dragged the downloaded file 'newTabHome_0.4.3_hacked.xpi' into any open firefox window? You should get an install addon window. Alternatively open the file by using the File>Open file from the menu (if you can't see your file menu the press alt to bring it up).

Thanks for this fix!! Hopefully it can be added to the official plugin, so I don't have to look for updates etc.

Brilliantly simply, thanks!!

Works a charm, thanks...

AHHHHHH :)

I had the same problem when I updated to firefox 4. This is how i fixed it:

The problem seems to be caused by the 'New Tab Homepage' add on. So:

1. Disable or remove the 'New Tab Homepage' add on and restart firefox.
2. Download and install the firefox add on called 'NewTabURL' and restart firefox.
3. Click on the Options button for NewTabURL and uncheck 'Select location bar after loading new tab'
4. Under the 'Default URL for new tabs' heading, choose 'Home Page'
5. Click on the Save button.

Hopefully, problem solved!

justme54s - Thanks for posting this solution. Works great! (FF4.0.1)

justme54s, thank you for posting !

Whether the cursor goes to the Search Box or to the Address Box when you open a new tab is based on which page your browser opens when you open a new tab. If your browser is set to open http://en-US.start3.mozilla.com/firefox?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official when a new tab is opened, the cursor will automatically go to the Address Bar. If your browser is set to open http://www.google.com/firefox?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official when a new tab is opened, the cursor will automatically go to the Search Box. So, it just depends on which webpage opens when you select a new tab! To select which webpage opens, just go to the "Tools" Menu and select "Options." Under the "General" tab, you will see a URL (a webpage) which will open when you open your Home Page. I suppose, technically, the webpage you select in "Tabs Mix Plus" to open when you open a new tab is the important one -- but, since most people simply use their Home Page as the page to open, the Home Page in the Firefox Options is relevant. You could change the webpage to open in Tabs Mix Plus to one of the two pages noted above to determine which option you want when you open a new tab -- to have the cursor in the Address Bar or to have the cursor in the Search Box.

Thank you so much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - it was so wrecking my head !!!

Super easy - works perfectly! Thanks justme54s!

If you are using NewTabURL 2.2.3 there is a preference: "select location bar after loading the new tab". After un-checking this option, the focus is in the search box after loading Google in a new tab.

Your fix worked perfectly on Firefox 8, as well! Thank you!

I actually created an account on here, just so I can say years later in version 8.0 we still have this problem or I should say annoyance, yes the fix does work, but come on Mozilla you are moving backwards, you're becoming very Microsoft like, lol

Works great with Firefox 8.0.1 Thanks for the solution.

That's an absolute lifesaver. Thanks for posting the solution! This problem was driving me crazy.

I have got a super easy solution to this. Get the Featured addon 'My Homepage' from - http://www.rockyourfirefox.com This addon addresses this issue well and deserves to be Featured.