Type about:preferences#privacy<enter> in the address bar.

The button next to History, select Use Custom Settings.

Turn off Always use private browsing mode

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/update-firefox-latest-version 46.0.1

Separate Security Issue: Update your Adobe Reader Version 2015.016.20039 Note: Other Software is offered in the download.

You can also check the target line of the Firefox desktop shortcut (right-click context menu > Properties) to make sure that it doesn't include the -private command line switch.

• https://developer.mozilla.org/Command_Line_Options

Suggestions do not work.

Last month I decided to test the private browsing option. Decided I did not like it, and in the options>privacy pane I unchecked "always use private browsing mode", and also chose use custom setting for history.

Restarted, and the private browsing mode was again checked. Repeated unchecking, and restarted. Same result -- I am stuck in private browsing mode and do not like it.

Suggestions?

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.

Thanks.

I do have Advanced System Care and so turned off all the the items under "protect". No effect -- still have the same problem.

Any specific suggestions short of reinstalling? -- I am afraid of losing all my bookmarks and addons. Surely someone has had the same experience.

Hi   !
Would you consider this add-on:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/disable-private-browsing-pl/?src=search

That worked, although I see there is a downside. But thanks.

But a general question -- clearly I am not the first to experience this, and why is there a need for an add-on to fix something in FF? I have used Advanced System Care with FF for years, and so apparently that is the not problem.

Be interested to hear why this was needed and why it works.

More. When I enabled private browsing, I found that it interfered with remembering my sign-ins, and so had to type them all the time.

Also, it messed up my downloads option under tools, and further prevented downloaded pdf's from opening in a new tab, forcing me to go to the downloads folder and open them manually.

If I disable private browsing with this add-on, then I lose the ability to delete my history, which I want to keep.

Is there is fix to this? Fresh re-install of FF?