Firefox spams users with notifications to open browser on every computer restart

Following its ability to auto-launch on Windows with Firefox 127, we noticed Firefox is showing multiple notifications in Firefox 128, prompting, that you can set the browser to open automatically when restarting the computer.

In Firefox 127, Mozilla introduced the ability to configure automatic opening on Windows startup. The browser’s built-in messaging system informs users about this with notifications like “Open Firefox every time you restart your computer? You can set Firefox to automatically open when you restart your device” and offers options to “Open with Firefox,” “No thanks,” or dismiss the notification.

Today, upon launching Firefox 128 stable, we encountered two notifications regarding the same functionality, worded slightly differently to inform you can manage startup preferences in Windows Startup Settings. However, the issue lies with the duplicate notifications.

Open Firefox every time you restart your computer notification

The notification displays the message “Open Firefox every time you restart your computer? To manage Startup preferences, search ‘startup’ in Settings.” It also offers options to “Learn more,” “No thanks,” and “Yes, open Firefox.”

We, at Windows Report, noticed the issue has been reported with Firefox 127 already. The company has no idea how to repro this where a user encountered a more extreme case and received 16 notifications in their browser.

“FF Update 127.0: Auto Start On Restart Computer Message Gets Spammed After Updating” the bug message reads.

You can always adjust Firefox’s startup behavior on Windows to your liking by visiting Settings > General > “Open Firefox automatically when your computer starts up.”

Meanwhile, if you’re affected or not affected visit about: config, change the below preference enabled value to false, and restart Firefox.

1. visit about:config
2. Ensure the checkbox is ticked and click “Accept the Risk and Continue”
3. Search for “messaging”
4. Edit the “browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.asrouter.providers.messaging-experiments” pref value
5. Set “id”:”messaging-experiments”,”enabled” value from true to false.
6. Restart Firefox

This appears to be a potential bug. While Mozilla might not have direct control over this behavior as it triggers on the user’s device, hopefully, Mozilla will identify and address the multiple notification issue in a future update.

Besides the issue of spammy notifications prompting users to open Firefox on computer restart, you can now enable Vertical Tabs in Firefox. Mozilla is also testing HTTPS-First Mode in Nightly and running a campaign to find unofficial websites offering third-party installers.

Are you affected? Let us know in the comments below.