Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.

You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:

• Microsoft Safety Scanner
• MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware
• TDSSKiller - AntiRootkit Utility
• Hitman Pro
• ESET Online Scanner

Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.

Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.

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I have used Ad-Aware and Spy-bot to check, but I tried the Microsoft Safety Scanner you suggested and still no evidence of malware.

This problem started with a version upgrade 3-4 versions ago.

Once in a while FF will start up remembering all my settings from the last shutdown.

But mostly now it starts in a minimized window without the bookmark toolbar and deletes my choices to put add ons in the toolbar.

Try Start FIrefox in Safe Mode

I assume you did not read everything I typed. I completely uninstalled and reinstalled FF 3 times including deleting my preferences and deleting the file folders they are stored in. Then ran the registry cleaners to wipe away every trace of FF and then downloaded and installed the next version.

How would starting in Safe Mode be useful at that point?

Which security software (firewall, anti-virus) do you have?

Some security software has virtualization or sandbox features that may cause problems by protecting or restoring files in the Firefox profile folder.

I am running Norton Anti-virus. But when I uninstall FF, I save my bookmarks and then delete my profile and its file folder completely from the "Application Data" folder before rebooting and then downloading FF again.

Are you saying it is being stored in another location as well?

As a band-aid, what you can do is to go to the

Mozilla Add-ons Web Page and get these on your system;

FEBE

This will save your add-ons in the event of trouble,

and help you easily put them back.

OPIE

This will save add-on and user settings and can restore them.

This would at least save most of your settings.

Getting those add ons would be overkill.

As of now, what I have to do almost every time I reboot windows is 1.maximize the Firefox window, 2. go to view and check the bookmark toolbar, and 3. I cannot customize the toolbar to have the "Download Them All" icon in it, because it will just disappear at the next reboot. I have to go into the tools menu to use it.

What is even more frustrating is that every once in a while, FF will open up normal after a reboot. So I know there is something buried somewhere that is doing this.